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ECHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Admirals Weekly

February 23, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals concluded a 3-game home series against the Florida Everblades this past Saturday night, tying the season series 2-2 and earning four of a possible six points at home against the South Division leader.

Hopping out to an early two-goal lead for the third consecutive game, Norfolk dominated the midweek game and defeated Florida, 4-2. On Friday night, Rasmus Tirronen and Nic Riopel would have exceptional showings in net, and Florida slightly edged the Admirals 3-1, including an empty-net goal. The series culminated in a thrilling shootout victory for Norfolk on Saturday.

After trailing 3-1 at the end of the first and 4-1 midway through the second, it looked like Florida would skate to an easy win. But, a spark lit on the Norfolk bench, and they kicked it into high gear, recorded an impressive 18 shots on goal in the second, and cut the lead to 4-3 by the end of the middle frame. Scoring just 18 seconds apart, Scott Allen and Jonathan Lessard confirmed the Admirals of the new year are fully capable of matching up to even the toughest conference rival.

Despite a strong second period, Norfolk - 4-20-0-1 when trailing after the second period - had a big mountain climb. But, three-quarters through the third period, Jonathan Lessard continued his dominant play and tallied the game-tying goal, sending the contest into overtime for only the fifth time this season at home. Nor folk has not lost in an overtime period at home all season, and Jonathan Lessard's shootout goal secured the victory for Norfolk on Saturday night.

Nic Riopel got the call 16:00 int o the first period when he replaced Ty Rimmer in net. Rimmer allowed 3 goals on 7 shots, and Head Coach, Eric Veilleux, determined the defense needed a change. On his birthday, Riopel gave the Admirals a gift, stopping 21 of 22 shots, allowing a single regulation goal and one shootout goal through five attempts.

Norfolk Leaders

Scoring

Scott Allen - 4 points (2-24)

Power Play

3/8 - 37.5%

Penalties

Braden Christoffer - 9 PIMs

Goaltending

Nic Riopel - 1.79 GAA; .946 SAV%

Looking Ahead This Week

The Monarchs travel to Norfolk to play the Admirals for the eighth and ninth times this season. Manchester (33-15-1-4) is first in the Eastern Conference and East Division, while Norfolk (22-28-2-1) sits at 13th in the conference.

The Admirals defeated the Monarchs that last two times they faced off; however, Manchester currently owns the series, winning five of seven prior matchups. Three of the first four meetings between these two teams required overtime or shootout decisions, and five of seven games were separated by a single goal. In two meetings since the new year began, Norfolk has not lost to Manchester.

On Sunday, the Monarchs defeated the Elmira Jackals, but their tough schedule may give Norfolk an advantage. Manchester will conclude a 5-games-in-7-nights series with a midweek game at home against division foe, the Adirondack Thunder, before travelling to Norfolk for a weekend series in Scope Arena.

Admiral blueliners will face formidable forwards this weekend, including rookie Matt Leitner and left-winger Maxim Kitsyn. Leitner leads his team in assists (36) and points (48) and is ranked 10th in the league for total points. Kitsyn leads his team in goals (22), games played (53), and plus minus (32) and is ranked 7th in the league for goal scoring.

Manchester also has their work cut out for them agianst the Admirals. The Admirals boast the 6th-ranked Power Play in the league, and have gone 12-7-1-0 since the new year with a 0.625 win percentage. Manchester's 19th-ranked penalty kill (22nd on the road) will need to solve rookie Scott Allen who leads the Admirals in power-play goals (7).

As Monarch netminder, Colin Stevens, was called up to the Portland Pirates (AHL), the Admirals will likely face Doug Carr or Nick Niedert in net. And, given his recent success, it is likely Manchester will face Nic Riopel (2.37 GAA ; .926 SAV%) in goal.

Admiral Leaders

SCORING GOALTENDING

Goals Goals Against Avg

Allen, Whitney (14) Nic Riopel (2.37)

Assists Save Percentage

Steven Whitney (26) Nic Riopel (.926)

Points Wins

Steven Whitney (40) Ty Rimmer (13)

Power-play Goals Losses

Scott Allen (7) Ty Rimmer (13)

Plus/Minus Minutes

Steven Whitney (9) Ty Rimmer (1625)

Monarch Leaders

SCORING GOALTENDING

Goals Goals Against Avg

Maxim Kitsyn (22) Doug Carr (2.50)

Assists Save Percentage

Matt Leitner (36) Doug Carr (.924)

Points Wins

Matt Leitner (48) Doug Carr (8)

Power-play Goals Losses

Yann Sauve (5) Doug Carr (4)

Plus/Minus Minutes

Maxim Kitsyn (31) Doug Carr (961)

Standings Update At 22-28-2-1 (47 points), the Admirals remain 5th in the East Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference.

The Admirals Week Ahead

Fri., Feb. 26... vs. Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings) ... 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 27... vs. Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings) ... 7:17 p.m.

Admirals Spotlight Former Admiral, Gabriel Verpaelst, was rewarded for his excellent play, and he signed a 25-game AHL Professional Tryout Contract (PTO) with the Stockton Heat. The Heat are the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate, and since joining their roster on Feb. 19, he has appeared in two games accruing 7 PIMs and 3 shots on goal.

Admirals Log

- Since the new year, Norfolk is 12-7-1-0 and is 4-5-1-0 in their last ten.

- Jonathan Lessard scored two goals in Saturday's win against Florida plus the deciding shootout goal.

- Nic Riopel found his groove going 2-1-0-0 against the Florida Everblades, stopping 87 of 92 shots and allowing just 5 goals.

- Norfolk remains 9 points outside of a playoff berth with 19 games remaining.

Upcoming events and promotions

February 26 - American Cancer Society Night Cancer affects everyone, so do your part by attending and learning more about the mission of ACS to help raise awareness of the fight against the disease. Members of two Relay For life teams will participate in a broomball game between periods.

February 27 - Guns and Hoses Game The annual Guns and Hoses Game pits members of area police departments versus members of local fire departments on Scope ice benefiting the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Purchase admission to the Guns and Hoses Game and receive admission to the Admirals game at 7:15 p.m. versus Manchester.

On the Radio | On the Web All regular-season games air live on 1650 AM WHKT and online at 1650theanswer.com. Fans can also live stream all games through ECHL.TV . Additionally, Buffalo Wild Wings on Monitcello Aveue in Norfolk and Laskin Road in Virginia Beach will show Norfolk Admirals away games during the 2016-2016 season.

Tickets Individual tickets are on sale at Scope Box Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and 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.

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