AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Admirals Weekly

March 3, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals came away from the weekend suffering two one-goal losses to the Providence Bruins.

Both teams met on Friday night for the first of two back-to-back matchups. A one-timer from Bruins' David Warsofsky gave the visitors a 1-0 lead halfway through the first period. Providence maintained the lead for the rest of the contest after tallying a second goal with roughly five minutes to go in the second frame. Colin Stuart capitalized on a one-on-one opportunity with netminder Ryan Faragher to double the lead. The Admirals managed to put one behind Bruins' goaltender Malcolm Subban to break a 118:43 scoreless streak. However, Mark Fistric ripped a shot that bounced in off of Andrew O'Brien with 1:17 remaining to shrink the lead to one. Norfolk couldn't find the net again, and the game would end 2-1 in favor of the Bruins.

The following night the Admirals were much more effective offensively, scoring three times but still coming up short. Just minutes into the first period the puck found its way behind Faragher on an odd redirection off Cory Kane's torso to give Providence the early lead. Less than a minute later, the Admirals answered with two goals in 15 seconds. William Karlsson's one-timer flew by Subban to tie the game at 1-1. Literally seconds later, Max Friberg took advantage of an out-of-position goalie and a rebound to finally give Norfolk their first lead of the weekend at 2-1. The tying goal from the Bruins didn't come until 4:29 of the second frame when Justin Florek hooked a rebound around Faragher's skate. The tie only lasted until roughly three minutes into the third period. A Stefan Noesen slap shot gave Norfolk the 3-2 lead. Almost halfway through the final 20 minutes, another Florek tally once again put the teams at a stalemate. A Colin Stuart and Seth Griffith two-on-one capped by a goal with less than a minute to go finished off the Admirals and snatched the 4-3 victory and weekend sweep.

Norfolk can bounce back this week starting tomorrow night with the fourth Wednesday game of the season. The Binghamton Senators challenge the Admirals on Wednesday night and Friday night, both at 7:15 p.m. Norfolk will then spend seven games on the road for its longest trip of the season.

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 22-28-3-3 (50 points), the Admirals are in 5th place in the East Division and are 14th 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

Wed., Mar. 4 ... vs. Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators) ... 7:15 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 6 ... vs. Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators)... 7:30 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT

- John Gibson flashed again Sunday night in the Lone Star State as the Ducks faced Dallas. The former Admirals goaltender made 39 saves, including a diving stop on Vern Fiddler in the third period to keep the game tied, en route to a 3-1 victory over the Stars. Since losing two straight to Washington and Tampa Bay, Gibson has won five of his last six and is now 8-5-0 on the year. In his last six games, the Pittsburgh native logged a 1.98 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage.

- Admirals alumni enjoyed a great night in the Ducks 4-2 comeback win over rival Los Angeles last Friday. Emerson Etem redirected the tying goal off a Rickard Rakell shot to make it 2-2, Josh Manson helped set up Corey Perry's go-ahead marker, Gibson picked up his seventh win of the season, and Chris Wagner earned the Third Star of the Night.

ANAHEIM DUCKS 2015 TRADE DEADLINE TRANSACTIONS (affecting Norfolk)

The Ducks traded forwards Rene Bourque and William Karlsson along with a 2015 second-round draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman James Wisniewski and a 2015 third-round draft pick. Anaheim exchanged defenseman Mat Clark for Colorado Avalanche forward Michael Sgarbossa. Dany Heatley and a 2015 third-round pick traded to Florida for forward Tomas Fleischmann

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Chris Wagner (13)

Assists: Brendan Bell (22)

Points: Nic Kerdiles, Chris Wagner (26)

Games: Dave Steckel (56)

PP Goals: Louis Leblanc (5)

SH Goals: Chris Wagner (2)

+/- Rating: Mark Fistric (3)

PIM: John Kurtz (141)

GAA: Jason LaBarbera (2.42)

Spct: Jason LaBarbera (.917)

Wins: Jason LaBarbera (7)

Losses: Jason LaBarbera (14; 4 in OT)

GPl: Jason LaBarbera (22)

Minutes: Jason LaBarbera (1266:14)

ABOUT THIS WEEK ' S MATCHUPS

The Admirals finish up their homestand this week against the Binghamton Senators, followed by a season-long seven-game road trip that takes them to five different cities. Norfolk and Binghamton last met at the end of January, a two-game series that the Admirals took by a combined 7-4 score. The second of two matchups required extra time to decide, with Andrew O ' Brien scoring the overtime game-winner. Four more games lie in store for the teams over the rest of the 2014-15 regular season.

The Admirals ' roster will look a bit different due to the NHL Trade Deadline, which includes the departures of Mat Clark, Dany Heatley and William Karlsson. Mike Sgarbossa, formerly with Lake Erie, is expected to make his Admirals debut this weekend, and has totaled 23 points in his 40 games this year for the Monsters. The shakeup may be a catalyst for Norfolk, who most recently lost a heartbreaker to Providence in which the Bruins scored the game-winner with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. Max Friberg has been a standout forward, gathering six points in his last four games and his line having scored all three Admirals goals on Saturday. Line mate Stefan Noesen continues his production rate, with four points in the last four outings and six in eight February games. The Admirals get back Jason LaBarbera who will resume the lead spot in net for Norfolk - the netminder holds a respectable 2.42 goals-against average and .917 save percentage this season, and is 20th in the AHL in both categories.

Binghamton and Norfolk have been either tied or right next to one another in the standings recently, and coming into this week the Senators have a two-point advantage. Binghamton has struggled lately, though: they suffer from a four-game slide, and fell 4-3 in overtime to Albany on Sunday despite a two-goal third-period comeback. AHL-leading defenseman Chris Wideman should be the man to thwart, as he has racked up 43 points on 13 goals and 30 assists this season, but only one point in his last five games. However, no Senators are hotter than the duo of Cole Schneider and Carter Camper, who each scored 10 points in their last 13 games, including one tally each on Sunday. Shane Prince regularly decorates the scoresheet as well, notching nine points in 10 games last month to bring him within one point of Wideman. Binghamton also has a stalwart presence in net in Scott Greenham, who has registered a 2.64 goals-against average and .916 save percentage to go with his 10-7-2 overall record. A boon for the Admirals is the Senators ' mediocre penalty kill: they rank 26th in the league as the visitors with a 78.4% conversion rate.

BINGHAMTON LEADERS

Goals: Shane Prince, Cole Schneider (18)

Assists: Chris Wideman (30)

Points: Chris Wideman (43)

Games: Carter Camper, Fredrik Claesson (56)

PP Goals: Derek Grant, Chris Wideman (7)

SH Goals: Buddy Robinson (2)

+/- Rating: Buddy Robinson (10)

PIM: Darren Kramer (215)

GAA: Scott Greenham (2.64)

Spct: Scott Greenham (.916)

Wins: Scott Greenham (10)

Losses: Andrew Hammond (15; 2 in OT)

GPl: Andrew Hammond (25)

Minutes: Andrew Hammond (1368:43)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

Wednesday, March 4 vs. Binghamton

- Social Media Night

It features several social media-based contests that give away great prizes to the winner. To learn more about the Admirals' first-ever Social Media Night, visit norfolkadmirals.com.

Friday, March 6 vs. Binghamton

- Multiple Sclerosis Society Night

The Admirals fight MS with donations from ticket sales going to the Multiple Sclerosis Society

- Trading Card Set Giveaway #3, presented by John's Tax Service!

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 March 3, 2015


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