AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk drops two of three games

Published on March 29, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Admirals struggled in their bid to solidify a playoff spot as they lost two of three games at home this past weekend. On Friday, March 26, Norfolk gave up five unanswered goals as Manchester came from behind to down the Admirals 5-3. The next evening, the Blue and Gold bounced back to knock off Bridgeport 3-1. The weekend concluded as the Sound Tigers blanked Norfolk 2-0 on Sunday, March 28.

Norfolk faces the Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) for the last time in the regular season on Wednesday, March 31 at 7:05 p.m. at the Wachovia Spectrum. The Admirals' final regular season home games of 2003-04 are on Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3 versus the Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators). Both contests begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Admirals are fourth in the East Division with a record of 33-32-4-5 (74 GP, 75 points). They trail Philadelphia (73 GP, 42-24-6-1, 91 points), Bridgeport (73 GP, 37-23-9-4, 87 points) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (74 GP, 33-27-8-6, 80 points). Binghamton (74 GP, 32-32-7-3, 74 points), Hershey (74 GP, 30-32-8-4, 72 points) and Albany (73 GP, 18-35-11-9, 56 points) are behind Norfolk in the standings.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, March 31 ... Norfolk @ Philadelphia Phantoms ... 7:05 p.m.

Norfolk is 4-4-1-0 against the Phantoms this season, but just 1-2-1-0 at the Wachovia Spectrum. Philadelphia leads the entire League with 2,074 PIM, 552 minor penalties and 106 major penalties. The squad is seventh in the AHL on the power play (16.8) and sixth in penalty killing (87.8). Kirby Law sits atop the team's scoring list in goals (25) and points (66). He is tied with several others for sixth in the AHL in scoring, and his 41 helpers give him a share of seventh in the League in assists with Aaron Gavey (SJS). Peter White's 43 assists are most on the club and fifth most in the AHL. Kirk Furey's plus-18 rating is best on the Phantoms while Craig Berube's minus-7 rating is the lowest. Peter Vandermeer has the dubious distinction of leading all AHL players in penalty minutes with 359 PIM. In net, Antero Niittymaki is 21-11-6 with a 2.03 GAA and a .922 spct. in 44 games. Neil Little is 20-12-0 with a 2.06 GAA and a .916 spct. in 32 appearances. They are both among the top 15 League netminders in wins and GAA.

Friday, March 26 ... Norfolk vs. Binghamton Senators ... 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 27 ... Norfolk vs. Binghamton Senators ... 7:30 p.m.

The Blue and Gold are 3-2-0-0 versus the B-Sens this year with wins in both previous match ups at Scope. The Senators' 1,957 PIM are second only to the Phantoms. Binghamton's special teams are 13th with the man-advantage (15.3) and 17th when shorthanded (84.6). Denis Hamel is the team-leader in goals (28), assists (35) and points (63). He is tied with Craig Darby (ALB) for 10th on the AHL scoring list. Peter Smrek's plus-9 rating is highest among current Senators while David Hymovitz's minus-15 is the lowest. Brian McGratton has 321 PIM to lead the team and rank him second in the AHL behind Peter Vandermeer. Between the pipes, Ray Emery is 20-22-5 with a 2.54 GAA and a .919 spct. in 49 appearances. Billy Thompson is 12-13-2 with a 2.95 GAA and a .904 spct.

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOTIONS

Friday, April 2 (Binghamton Senators)

* 106.9 The Fox Night. Look for 106.9 The Fox's mascot to appear on the concourse.

Saturday, April 3 (Binghamton Senators)

* Pre-game Party at AJ Gator's. For just $15, receive a Blue Level ticket to that night's game, a voucher for two drinks and an hors d'oeuvre buffet at AJ Gator's, 344 Granby Street in Norfolk. Available at the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Special discounts available for season ticket holders through the Admirals' office.

* Fan Appreciation Night. The Admirals will be giving away a number of prizes to lucky fans throughout the night

* Shirts off our Backs. As part of Fan Appreciation Night, the players will be giving away their sweaters at the end of the evening, right off their backs. Winners of the sweaters will be selected at random.

Norfolk Drops Two of/Page 2

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* G Michael Leighton saw a six-game home-winning and home-unbeaten streak (since January 30 vs. Providence) come to an end with Norfolk's 2-0 loss to Bridgeport on March 28.

* Sundays have been the Admirals' bane this season. The Blue and Gold have posted a record of just of 2-8-2-0 in 12 Sunday contests, including a 2-3-0-0 mark at Scope.

* Norfolk has come from behind in the third period to win a game just once this season. When trailing after 40 minutes of play, the Admirals are 1-22-1-0.

* Over their last eight games (since March 10 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), the Blue and Gold have scored either three or zero goals each time. Norfolk is 3-5-0-0 with three shutout losses over that stretch.

* RW Yorick Treille had a four-game points streak (2+2=4 points since March 20) snapped in Norfolk's shutout loss to Bridgeport on March 28.

* C Jeff Miles made his professional debut with the Blue and Gold vs. Manchester on March 26.

* On Sunday, D Michal Barinka was reassigned to Norfolk by Chicago, and RW Shawn Thornton was recalled to the Blackhawks.

ON THE RADIO

All games are broadcast on the Admirals' Flagship Station, AM-1230 WJOI. 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 15 minutes prior to game starting time.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for the two 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. Group tickets and Calder Cup 2004 Playoff Packages are on sale through the Admirals' office. For more information, visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com or call the Admirals at (757) 363-1900.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2004


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