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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Claims First Place in the AHL

November 18, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – With a pair of wins last week, the Admirals climbed to the number one spot in the League, overtaking the Houston Aeros (12-3-1-0, 25 points). On Veteran's Day, a pair of Casey Hankinson goals led the Blue and Gold to a 4-2 win over the Rochester Americans in the Empire State. Norfolk then split a back-to-back series with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Scope, winning 4-2 on Friday, November 15 before falling to the Pens 4-3 on Saturday, November 16.

The Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators) make their first-ever trek to Norfolk for two contests this week. On Wednesday, November 20, the teams square off at 7:15 p.m., and on Friday, November 22, the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 23, the Blue and Gold return to Wilkes-Barre, PA, for a 7:05 p.m. showdown against the Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins).

Norfolk's 12-2-1-2 record (27 points) places the team first in the South Divisio. The Hershey Bears are second in the South with 18 points (8-4-1-1) followed by Philadelphia (6-7-1-1, 14 points) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (5-10-1-0, 11 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, November 20...Norfolk vs. Binghamton Senators...7:15 p.m.

Friday, November 22...Norfolk vs. Binghamton Senators ...7:30 p.m.

The first time these clubs met on November 9 in Binghamton, Burke Henry scored the game-winner for the Blue and Gold in overtime. The Senators have posted a .500 record thus far (6-6-2-1) and are .500 both at home (4-4-1-1) and on the road (2-2-1-0). The team's 267 penalty minutes are second fewest in the League (Manchester, 264). Binghamton's special teams rank near the bottom on the power play (26th, 10.67) and in penalty killing (22nd, 82.29).

The club is eighth in the AHL in shots per game (31.53) and has allowed the fewest shots per game (25.60). Josef Boumedienne leads the Senators in assists (11), points (12, one goal) and plus/minus rating (plus-10). Joe Murphy and Brad Smyth have the most goals on the team (five). Brian Pothier 's 10 points (2+8) are the most of all defenseman on the squad and place him among the top scoring blueliners in the League. The netminding tandem is comprised of Ray Emery (4-4-1, 2.61 goals against average, .902 save percentage) and Simon Lejeunesse (1-1-0, 4.11 GAA, .828 spct.).

Saturday, November 23... Norfolk @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins...7:05 p.m.

The Admirals have won four of their last six contests in Wilkes-Barre, including a 2-1 victory in their only trip to the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza this year (October 26). The Penguins' 60 goals allowed are the most in the Western Conference. They rank 27th in average goals against per game (3.75). They are also 26th in average goals for per game (2.56).

Wilkes-Barre's power play unit is 20th in the League (14.28) and its penalty kill unit is 11th (84.67). Michal Sivek has 4+9=13 points to top the club in scoring. Colby Armstrong's three power play tallies tie him for second in that category among AHL rookie skaters. Ross Lupaschuk has the most points among Penguin defensemen (4+5=9 points), and his three power play goals tie him with the Admirals' Marty Wilford and several others for most power play tallies among League blueliners. Matt Hussey is the only current Penguin with a positive rating at plus-3. Lupaschuk, Toby Peterson and Milan Kraft are amongst the lowest ratings in the AHL with a minus-16, minus-14 and minus-13, respectively. Sebastien Caron is the club's primary goaltender, with a 4-8-1 record, 3.19 GAA and .896 spct. in 11 games. His eight losses tie him for the AHL lead with the Amerks' Ryan Miller. Robbie Tallas is 1-1-0 with a 5.99 GAA and a .824 spct. in three appearances in net, while Mike Valley took a loss in his only start for the Pens, 4-2 at Norfolk on November 15.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, November 20 (Binghamton Senators)

* Hats off to Our Fans Night - fans who purchase an Admirals hat from the souvenir stand this night only may have the price refunded if an Admirals player scores a hat trick in the evening's game (excludes previous purchases - proof of purchase required).

Friday, November 22 (Binghamton Senators)

* Admirals Face Off Against Hunger - the Admirals and the United States Marines will be collecting donations of non-perishable food goods at Scope to benefit the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.

* AJ Gator's pre-game party at the 244 Granby Street location in downtown Norfolk. Available through the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets.

Friday, November 29 (Houston Aeros)

* Family Four Pack Night - fans can receive four Blue Level tickets and voucher for four hot dogs and four soft drinks for $44.00. Available through the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. (Day of game sales not applicable.)

Saturday, November 30 (Houston Aeros)

* Player portrait giveaway to the first 3,000 fans, courtesy of the Tobacco Use Control Program (TUCP) (Player portrait #2 of eight).

* Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding Night - employees of NNS who show proper ID at the Scope Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet receive $2.00 off any ticket purchased.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* F Casey Hankinson has 7+4=11 points over his last nine games, placing him first on the team in goals (10) and second in points (18, eight assists). He is also tied for 10th on the League scoring list, and tied for fifth in goals.

* RW Mike Peluso is riding a team-record nine-game points streak (3+10=13 points) and has at least one point in all but one game this season (October 27 at Hershey). He is tied with Hamilton's Jason Ward for the League's longest current points streak. Peluso's 16 helpers and 24 points lead all AHL skaters.

* D Marty Wilford has posted seven points in his last seven games (3+4) giving him 13 points on the year (4+9) to lead all Norfolk defensemen. He is tied for fourth in scoring among all AHL blueliners.

* When Norfolk killed off all ten shorthanded situations against Rochester on November 11, it marked only the second time this season the Admirals did not allow at least one power play goal (November 1 at Philadelphia). That game was the third consecutive match in which Norfolk allowed 10 power play opportunities.

* With a 4-2 victory over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on November 15, G Craig Andersson maintained the second-best goals against average among current League netminders (2.00) and is fourth in save percentage (.928).

* C Mikhail Yakubov scored his first pro goal with an empty net tally against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on November 15.

ON THE RADIO

All games are broadcast on the Admirals' Flagship Station, WBVA 1450-AM "The Buzz". The games are also cybercast on the World Wide Web at SportsJuice.com. Go to www.SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at www.norfolkadmirals.com. Pre-game broadcasts begin 20 minutes prior to game starting time.

The Admirals Radio Show will air Thursday, November 21. Pete Michaud will welcome special guests as he broadcasts from the Azalea Inn/Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, 2344 E. Little Creek Road in Norfolk from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for all remaining contests on the Admirals' home schedule are available at the Scope Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Season tickets as well as 10- and 20-Game Plans, Flex Vouchers and Group Tickets are available through the Admirals' office. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

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