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Norfolk Completes Weekend Sweep of Syracuse with 2-1 Win

December 7, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Norfolk Admirals News Release

SYRACUSE, NY - Jesse Blacker's third period marker lifted the Norfolk Admirals to a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Syracuse Crunch at the Onondaga War Memorial Arena Saturday evening.. Norfolk (12-8-0-4, 28 pts) completes the weekend sweep of Syracuse (11-8-1-2, 25 pts) grabbing all four points on the road trip.

The first period featured a couple of scraps and big hits. However, one big hit by Syracuse's J.P. Cote was costly. Cote was handed a match penalty for checking to the head of Admirals forward John Kurtz. The penalty resulted in a lengthy Admirals power play.

Norfolk took advantage as Rickard Rakell delivered a pass to the front of the net. The pass deflected off a Syracuse defender in front causing the puck to bounce up in the air and over the shoulder of an unsuspecting goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis. Rakell's team-leading eighth of the season gave Norfolk a 1-0 lead after the first period.

The Crunch responded at 4:47 of the second period when Max Parent's shot from the slot was fended off by Admirals netminder Igor Bobkov. However, the rebound bounced to the left side of crease and knocked into the net by Eric Neilson to tie the game at one.

The Admirals reclaimed the lead at 11:48 of the third. Jesse Blacker fired a shot from the top the left wing circle which beat a screened Gudlevskis for the go-ahead goal. Blacker has recorded a goal in three of the last four games.

Syracuse attempted to net the equalizer, but Bobkov and the Norfolk defense shutdown the Crunch down the stretch to seal the 2-1 victory.

Bobkov earns the win stopping 21 of 22 shots faced, while Gudlevskis takes the loss allowing two goals on 24 shots.

The Admirals return home for a pair of games against the Springfield Falcons on December 13 & 14. The Annual Toy Toss is set for Friday, December 13th. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal or toy to the game and throw it onto the ice when the Admirals score their first goal. All of the stuffed toys will be rounded up by the Marine Corp for the Toys for Tots and distributed to local children for the holidays.

Game tickets are now on sale, and are available through the Norfolk Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

For 10-packs, or discounted group tickets stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, or call (757) 640-1212 Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fans can also visit us online at www.norfolkadmirals.com

Three Stars:

1. Jesse Blacker (NOR)

2. Eric Neilson (SYR)

3. Rickard Rakell (NOR)

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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