Norfolk Leads South Division by 10 Points
Published on February 17, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. â The Blue and Gold picked up four points in the standings last week to extend their South Division lead to 10 points over the Hershey Bears. On Wednesday, February 12, the Admirals' 3-0 lead over San Antonio dwindled, as the Rampage scored three times in third period and went on to topple Norfolk 4-3 in overtime. On Valentine's Day, Norfolk broke the hearts of the Portland Pirates as Craig Andersson picked up his fourth shutout of the season in a 4-0 decision over the visitors. The following night, the squads faced off again, with Michael Leighton making 36 saves as the teams finished in a 1-1 tie.
The Admirals head to Ohio for their only two scheduled games at the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks' (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) barn this year on Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22. Both contests begin at 7:35 p.m.
After finishing the week at 1-0-1-1, Norfolk remains in first place in the South Division with 71 points (30-15-7-4). Hershey is second with 61 points (24-19-11-2). Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is in third (26-23-4-4, 60 points) and Philadelphia sits in fourth place (24-24-4-3, 55 points).
THE WEEK AHEAD
Friday, February 21...Norfolk@ Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...7:35 p.m.
Saturday, February 22... Norfolk @ Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...7:35 p.m.
Last year, the Admirals finished at 2-0-2-0 versus the Ducks, going 1-0-1-0 on each team's pond. Michael Leighton was in net for all four contests against the Ducks in 2001-2002, allowing a total of just six goals. Casey Hankinson has 3+4=7 points and two PIM in 10 games all-time against Cincinnati. The Mighty Ducks' seven road ties are most in the League. Cincinnati ranks 11th in the AHL on the penalty kill (85.03) but is last on the power play (10.00), having converted just 28 times in 280 chances. The club's opponents have received a League-low 870 penalty minutes. The Ducks have scored just 34 goals in the third period, the fewest third period tallies of all AHL teams. They have been out-shot 59-27 in overtime this season. Tony Martensson (13+22=35 points) is the squad's scoring leader, with Travis Brigley (12+22=34 points) one point behind him. They are tied for the team lead in helpers, while Brendan Yarema (13+8=21 points) is tied with Martensson for the most lamplighters. Martensson ranks among the top-scoring League rookies. Five of Bigley's goals have come shorthanded to give him the team lead in that category. Yarema's plus-5 is the highest rating of current Ducks' skaters, while Mike Commodore's minus-12 is the lowest. Commodore's 168 PIM are most on Cincinnati and fourth-most among AHL blue liners. Between the pipes, Ilja Bryzgalov is 5-18-7 with a 2.98 goals against average and a .907 save percentage in 35 games, while Jean-Francois Damphousse is 9-11-3 with a 3.14 GAA and a .899 spct. in 24 appearances. Bryzgalov is third in the League in losses.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Wednesday, February 26 (Manchester Monarchs)
* Bahamas Trip Giveaway - One lucky fan will win a trip for two (airfare and accommodations paid) to the Bahamas, courtesy of TradeStaff & Company. Fans can register outside Gate 14 for the drawing.
Friday, February 28 (Manchester Monarchs)
* MDA Jersey Auction - The Admirals will don a special alternate sweater for this contest, as following the game, fans will be able to bid on the game-worn jerseys right off the players' backs. All proceeds benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
* Scooby-Doo Appearance - The canine detective will make a special appearance at Scope and will be available for photographs, courtesy of the Cartoon Network.
* Player portrait giveaway featuring Casey Hankinson to the first 3,000 fans, courtesy of the Tobacco Use Control Project (TUCP) (Player portrait #6 of 8).
* AJ Gator's pre-game party at the 244 Granby Street location in downtown Norfolk. For $15.00, fans receive a Blue Level ticket to that night's game, a voucher for two drinks (soda, beer or well drinks) and an hors d' oeuvre buffet. Tickets are available through the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
* Since December 29, Norfolk is 12-3-5-1 with six shutout victories. During that stretch, the Admirals were held to one goal seven times, but posted a record of 3-3-1-0.
* Norfolk has shut out its opponents seven times this season. Only Portland (10) and Hamilton (eight) have recorded more shutouts.
* With a win (4-0 February 14) and a tie (1-1 February 15) versus the Pirates last week, the Admirals improved to 4-1-2-0 all-time against Portland, including a mark of 2-1-1-0 at Norfolk Scope.
* G Craig Andersson stopped all 19 shots by Portland in the Admirals' 4-0 win over the Pirates February 14. It was Andersson's career-best fourth shutout of the year, tying him with several others for third in the AHL. He is also tied with San Antonio's Chris Mason for third in the League in save percentage (.930).
* LW Igor Radulov scored twice in Norfolk's 4-3 overtime loss to San Antonio on February 12, marking his team-leading fourth multi-goal game of 2002-2003.
* D Jeff Helperl snapped a 22-game scoreless streak (since December 21 at Houston) when he tallied a goal and an assist versus Portland on February 14.
* D Marty Wilford has 11 points (two goals, nine assists) over his last eight games. He remains among the top-scoring defensemen in the AHL in goals (11), assists (27) and points (38).
* D Burke Henry was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, February 16. The Blackhawks will be in action tonight versus the Colorado Avalanche at 8:30 p.m. EST.
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, February 20, when Pete Pochkowski, who is filling in for Pete Michaud while the team is on the road, welcomes a special guest in the studio as he broadcasts live 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. Family Four Packs and AJ Gator's pre-game party packages are available at Scope's Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Flex Vouchers and Group Tickets are available through the Admirals' office. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the team's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.
American Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2003
- Griffins hold off gritty Syracuse - OSC Original by Ed Gonser
- Williams Sets Record in 4-3 Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Healey Leads Monarchs over Maple Leafs - Manchester Monarchs
- Berenzweig Traded - Milwaukee Admirals
- Aeros Goalie Merry-Go-Round Continues; Cloutier Rejoins Aeros, Brady Released - Houston Aeros
- Saint John Flames Weekly - Saint John Flames
- Moose Continue Six-Game Homestand with Games against Houston and St. John's - Manitoba Moose
- Sports Carnival '03 raises over $30,000 - Manitoba Moose
- Checkers Close Season-High Seven-Game Homestand Tuesday - Charlotte Checkers
- Streaks End As Sound Tigers Open Busiest Stretch In Team History - Bridgeport Islanders
- Aeros Boast Successful Week - Houston Aeros
- Risidore Returns to Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Bulldogs Close to Clinching a Playoff Spot - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Today's Penguins vs. Phantoms Game Postponed; Game Rescheduled to March 17th at 7:05 p.m. - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Phantoms game postponed - Adirondack Phantoms
- Rock Report - Toronto Marlies
- Toms named AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Crunch Announce Details of Best Buy In-Store Challenge - Syracuse Crunch
- Norfolk Leads South Division by 10 Points - Norfolk Admirals
- Northern Conference Showdown Set for Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
- Leafs Weekend Wrapup - Toronto Marlies
- Maple Leafs Game Notes - Toronto Marlies
- Penguins Fall to Binghamton, 3-2, in Overtime - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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