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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Admirals Weekly

December 30, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Admirals returned from the holiday break to head north for a tour of Pennsylvania beginning with Lehigh Valley last Saturday, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a Sunday matinee, and ending with Hershey tonight.

The Phantoms won the previous meeting and lengthened their success against the Admirals to two straight games with a 3-2 shootout win two days after Christmas. Lehigh Valley controlled the scoreboard scoring twice to hold a 2-0 lead early in the second before Norfolk took over with two goals the rest of the way. Neither side struck in overtime, which led to an eight-round shootout, the Admirals' first duel of the season. Adam Comrie beat John Gibson for the lone goal and netminder Martin Ouellette denied each shooter to outlast Norfolk in his first career AHL start.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton played the Admirals to another one-goal affair on Sunday afternoon. This one only needed regulation when a third-period tally from Nick Drazenovic put the Penguins ahead with just under 15 minutes to play. The two clubs only generated a combined nine shots on goal in the final 20 minutes, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton held on for the 2-1 decision at home versus Norfolk. Jason LaBarbera made 21 saves but suffered his fourth loss this season. Matt Murray posted a 26-save performance in his sixth victory of 2014-15.

Next is a skate with the Hershey Bears tonight at 7 p.m. inside the Giant Center to end the three-game swing through the Keystone State. Norfolk can avenge this season's losses to Lehigh Valley when the Phantoms arrive at Scope this coming weekend for a two-game set. Friday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and Saturday's for 7:15 p.m.

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

All regular-season games will air live on 1650 AM WHKT "The Answer" and online at 1650theanswer.com. AHL Live will also carry online video of every Admirals game on a pay-per-view or season pass basis. Fans can log in to watch, listen or get more information about AHL Live's online audio and video features at ahllive.com.

Tune in live to 1650 AM "The Answer" every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the "Admirals Hour" with the "Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud and the "Original Admiral" Dennis McEwen. Michaud and McEwen discuss the latest in Norfolk Admirals hockey, speak with guests, update you on the Anaheim Ducks, as well as answer any calls during the show. Ask Pete and Dennis your questions by calling in to the studio at 757-454-1650.

STANDINGS UPDATE

At 12-18-0-1 (25 points), the Admirals are in 5th place in the East Division and are in 15th place in the Eastern Conference.

Eight teams in each conference shall qualify for the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. Following the conclusion of each team's 76-game regular season, the three division winners in each conference will be seeded 1-3 (in order of regular-season points) and the next five best teams (in order of regular-season points) will be seeded 4-8.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Tues., Dec. 30 ... at Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals) ... 7 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 2 ... vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) ... 7:30 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 3 ... vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT

- Admirals forward Max Friberg received his first call up to the NHL on Sunday, December 28, and subsequently played in his NHL debut for the Ducks against Vancouver. Friberg skated for 12 shifts and 8:47 of ice time.

ADMIRALS' LOG

Team captain Dave Steckel scored his first goal of the season Sunday versus Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Along with his 11 assists, Steckel now has 12 points this season tied for third on the team. Norfolk experienced their first shootout of the season Saturday versus Lehigh Valley after also experiencing the first overtime session in which they failed to score. Admirals are 3-0 in OT and 0-1 in shootouts.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Louis Leblanc (10)

Assists: Brendan Bell (14)

Points: Nic Kerdiles (18)

Games: Bell, Kerdiles, Steckel (31)

PP Goals: Louis Leblanc (5)

SH Goals: Chris Wagner (2)

+/- Rating: Jared Nightingale (0)

PIM: John Kurtz (83)

GAA: John Gibson (2.28)

Spct: John Gibson (.934)

Wins: Jason LaBarbera (3)

Losses: Jason LaBarbera (4)

GPl: Jason LaBarbera (8)

Minutes: Jason LaBarbera (426:17)

ABOUT THIS WEEK ' S MATCHUPS

Norfolk wraps up its three-game divisional road trip this evening against Hershey, before hosting Lehigh Valley in a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. The Admirals will look to get back in the win column after going 0-1-1 on their road trip thus far, and holding a record of 2-3-0-1 over their last six games. Nic Kerdiles, who had scored four points in three games, has registered just one point in his last four; however, he does rank 12th in AHL rookie scoring. Norfolk will be without offensive weapon Max Friberg, who put up seven points in seven games before being called up to Anaheim on Sunday. Team goals leader Louis Leblanc has maintained solid play, extending his count to 10 with two in his last four games, including a power-play goal. Brendan Bell continues to rack up assists, and has helped on two markers in his last three games for a total of 14. Dave Steckel hit twine for the first time this year, notching Norfolk ' s lone goal on Sunday, his first since April 26. Against Lehigh Valley this weekend, a special teams battle will be favorable to the Admirals as they currently hold third place in the AHL on the power play (23.6%) and second place on the penalty kill (88.7%) at home.

Sixth-place Hershey will be confident as hosts for the Admirals with a 10-4-2-0 record at home and have picked up three of a possible four points over their two-game weekend. Tim Kennedy has been a force for the Bears, and his 25 assists are good for second in the AHL. Veteran Kris Newbury has held onto a top spot on the team despite notching only a single point in his last nine games, and is just 13 games shy of 700. The Admirals will have to keep an eye on Stanislav Galiev, whose eight power-play tallies rank second in the AHL; he's also recorded 11 points in his last nine home games. Defenseman Connor Carrick found a rhythm and registered three points last weekend to give him nine points over his last eight games. Don ' t be surprised if Hershey finds twine first - the Bears lead the AHL with 21 first-goals. Their penalty kill (88.2%) is tops in the entire league and their eighth-ranked power play (19.1%) produced points in five of their last six home games.

HERSHEY LEADERS

Goals: Kris Newbury (11)

Assists: Tim Kennedy (25)

Points: Tim Kennedy (27)

Games: Kennedy, Kundratek, Wellman (31)

PP Goals: Stanislav Galiev (8)

SH Goals: Chandler Stephenson (1)

+/- Rating: Jon Landry (9)

PIM: Steve Oleksy (78)

GAA: Pheonix Copley (2.08)

Spct: Philipp Grubauer (.920)

Wins: Philipp Grubauer (10)

Losses: Philipp Grubauer (12; 4 in OT)

GPl: Philipp Grubauer (22)

Minutes: Philipp Grubauer (1334:15)

Lehigh Valley is confident going into the week, as their win against Norfolk broke a two-game losing streak and has them within one point of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Recalled from the ECHL on Saturday, Adam Comrie scored the sole shootout goal against the Admirals to give Lehigh Valley the win. First-year netminder Martin Ouellette made his first start against the Admirals, and halted 33 regulation shots as well as all eight shootout attempts. The scoresheet has been friendly to right winger Jason Akeson, who received recognition with six points in his last five outings, including two multi-point games. The tandem of Brandon Manning and Nick Cousins will certainly present a challenge along the Norfolk blue line. The two have combined for eight points in their last five contests. Former Admirals Zack Stortini and Blair Jones have not been timid against their former team, scoring five points between them in two games so far this season. Luckily for Norfolk, Lehigh Valley has had troubles as the away team, holding a 4-9-2-0 record and a 15th-ranked penalty kill (83.8%). Regardless, the Admirals must play a complete game defensively in all three zones to win while capitalizing on the power play and staying airtight on the penalty kill.

LEHIGH VALLEY LEADERS

Goals: Andrew Gordon, Taylor Leier (8)

Assists: Brandon Manning (15)

Points: Brandon Manning (21)

Games: Four players tied (30)

PP Goals: Nick Cousins, Taylor Leier (4)

SH Goals: Akeson, Hagg, Laughton (1)

+/- Rating: Blair Jones (5)

PIM: Jay Rosehill (88)

GAA: Martin Ouellette (1.92)

Spct: Martin Ouellette (.934)

Wins: Rob Zepp (8)

Losses: Rob Zepp (9; 4 in OT)

GPl: Rob Zepp (17)

Minutes: Rob Zepp (1021:53)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

Friday, January 2 vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms

- Trading Card Set Giveaway #1 presented by John's Tax Service

Saturday, January 3 vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms

- Country Night

The second "Country Night" of the season hits Scope and it is another opportunity for you to show off those cowboy hats, boots and more for a chance to win prizes from Eagle 97.3!

TICKETS

Individual tickets are on sale now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and online at ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of Admirals action by purchasing your season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2014


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