AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Halts Losing Streak

Published on November 10, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – After dropping their sixth straight road game to Binghamton 5-3 on November 5, the Admirals claimed a 3-0 shutout victory at Springfield on November 7 to end their winless skid. Their winning streak was brief, as the next night Worcester blanked Norfolk 4-0. The Blue and Gold finished the week with a 2-2 tie at Hershey on November 9.

Norfolk's franchise-record 10-game road excursion concludes in Bridgeport with a 4:05 p.m. match up against the Sound Tigers (NY Islanders) on Veteran 's Day (Tuesday, November 11). The Hershey Bears (Colorado) make their first appearances in Hampton Roads this season on Thursday, November 13 and Saturday, November 15. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The Admirals are currently fifth in the East Division with 13 points (5-9-2-1). They trail Hershey (7-3-2-2, 18 points), Binghamton (7-3-1-2, 17 points), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (7-5-1-0, 15 points) and Bridgeport (5-3-3-1, 14 points), and are followed by Philadelphia (5-6-1-1, 12 points) and Albany (2-6-2-1, seven points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, November 11...Norfolk @ Bridgeport Sound Tigers...4:05 p.m.

Norfolk won both matches between the clubs last season, including a 4-2 victory in Connecticut. The Sound Tigers have the fewest penalty minutes in the Eastern Conference (189 PIM) and are the second least-penalized squad in the AHL (15.8 PIM per game; first - Grand Rapids, 13.8 PIM per game). Bridgeport's power play unit ranks 15th in the League (15.94) while its penalty killers rank third (90.74). Jeff Hamilton tops the team in goals (nine), points (13, four assists) and power play goals (five). He is tied with Binghamton's Jeff Hamel for most lamplighters and ranks among the top scorers in the League. Brandon Smith's five helpers lead Bridgeport in the assist category. Several skaters have the best rating at plus-3 while Rob Collins has the lowest rating at minus-4. Graham Belak has 40 PIM to top the club in PIM.

Thursday, November 13...Norfolk vs. Hershey Bears...7:15 p.m.

Saturday, November 15...Norfolk vs. Hershey Bears...7:30 p.m.

The teams faced off yesterday at the Giant Center where they skated to a 2-2 draw. Despite sitting first in the East Division, the Bears have allowed 40 goals this season, second most in the Eastern Conference only to Norfolk's 48 goals against. Hershey is eighth in the AHL on the power play (17.91) and 27th when shorthanded (74.60). The Bears have been outshot 513-418 thus far. Shane Willis and Eric Perrin share the team lead in scoring with 5+8=13 points each. Gavin Moran has also chipped in five goals. Pascal Trepanier's 10 assists are most on Hershey and tie him with the Admirals' Marty Wilford and St. John's' Kyle Wellwood for third in the AHL in helpers. Trepanier is third among League blueliners in scoring with 11 points (one goal; first - Bryan Muir, MCH, 5+8=13; second - Wilford, 2+10=12) and he and Wilford have the most assists by any AHL defensemen. Steve Moore's plus-7 rating is best on the club while the lowest rating belongs to Jordan Krestanovich at minus-2. Morgan's 44 PIM are most on the Bears. Between the pipes, Tom Lawson is 3-1-0 with a 2.66 GAA and a .932 spct. in five outings, and Peter Budaj is 4-4-2 with a 2.84 GAA and a .918 spct. in 10 games. Lawson is among the top 12 in the AHL in save percentage.

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOTIONS

Thursday, November 13 (Hershey Bears)

* Caribbean trip giveaway. One lucky fan will win a trip for two to the Caribbean, courtesy of TradeStaff & Company.

Saturday, November 15 (Hershey Bears)

* 2002-03 South Division Champions puck giveaway. The first 2,000 fans will receive a voucher for a souvenir puck exit giveaway, courtesy of ACS Systems and Engineering. Fans must present a voucher as they leave at the conclusion of the game in order to receive their puck.

Friday, November 21 (Portland Pirates)

* Food collection for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. The Admirals will begin their annual collection of non-perishable food items for the Foodbank. Fans can place donations in bins by the entrances to Scope.

Saturday, November 22 (Portland Pirates)

* Pre-Game Party at AJ Gator's, 344 Granby Street in Norfolk. For just $15, receive a Blue Level ticket to the game that evening plus two drink vouchers and an hors d'oeuvre buffet. Discounts available for season ticket holders.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk's 5-3 loss at Binghamton on November 5 was their sixth straight road loss (since October 26 at Hershey), breaking the franchise mark for consecutive losses on the road (five, several times).

* The Admirals have allowed the first goal in 12 of their 17 contests this season, and are winless all 12 times (0-9-2-1). They have won all five games in which they lit the lamp first.

* With a tie against Hershey yesterday, G Steve Passmore snapped a three-game losing streak (since October 22 versus Wilkes-Barre), but extended his winless streak to six games (0-4-2 since October 12 at Philadelphia).

* Defenseman Marty Wilford scored his first two goals of the season against Binghamton on November 5 and winger Bobby Russell picked up his first tally of the year versus Hershey on November 9.

* Today, the Chicago Blackhawks recalled G Craig Anderson from Norfolk, and the Blue and Gold recalled G Jeff Sanger from the Indianapolis Ice (CHL).

* Over the weekend, the Blackhawks assigned D Lasse Kukkonen to Norfolk and the Admirals recalled C Nicolas Corbeil from the Florence Pride (ECHL).

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

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 and group tickets are available through the Admirals' office. For more information, visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com or call the Admirals at (757) 363-1900.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 10, 2003


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