Norfolk Rolls Over Albany 4-1

Published on January 30, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


NORFOLK, VA - Radek Smolenak scored three goals as the Norfolk Admirals beat the Albany River Rats 4-1 Friday night at Scope Arena.

After losing the physical battle and the game last night, Albany came out determined to turn the tides physically. Two fights in the first four and a half minutes set the tone early in the game, as Albany's Brad Herauf squared off with Norfolk's Jay Rosehill and then the two captains fought, Tim Conboy and Zenon Konopka, which brought the crowd to its feet. But the home side struck first in the game as Brandon Segal found Radek Smolenak open near the crease to a goal just after a River Rats penalty had expired at 9:44. It was not a power play goal, but Albany's penalized player had not yet stepped back on the ice when Smolenak put home his 13th goal of the year. It was scoreless the rest of the way as both teams traded scoring chances.

Brandon Bochenski quickly doubled Norfolk's lead as he scored at 2:56 of the second period, tipping a Mike Lundin shot into the roof of the net for his third goal of the two-game series with Albany. 11 seconds later the Admirals increased their lead to 3-0 when Justin Peters' pass from behind the net went right to Smolenak, who one-timed the puck into the far side of the net at 3:07 before the Albany goalie could recover. The Admirals goals were the fastest two goals allowed by the River Rats this season and really seemed to suck the intensity out of the visitors.

Albany broke the scoreless drought at 7:42 of the third period on a beautiful passing sequence from Brett Carson and Jakub Petruzalek to set up Pat Dwyer for a wide open back door goal. Dwyer's 11th goal of the year cut Norfolk's lead to 3-1. But Smolenak would have the final word in the game as he extinguished any hopes of an Albany comeback by completing his hat trick at 11:13 for a 4-1 Norfolk win.

Goaltender Mike McKenna turned in a strong performance by stopping 43-of-44 shots to help Norfolk improve to 18-21-2-5 on the year. Justin Peters made 42 saves on 46 shots in the loss as they River Rats fell to 19-22-3-2 this season. The Admirals out-shot Albany 46-44 and went 0-for-4 on the power play; the Rats were 1-for-5 with the man-advantage.

Notes: Prior to the game Albany called up right wing Matt Auffrey from the Florida Everblades, signing him to a professional tryout contract. Auffrey, 23, began the season with the Augusta Lynx (ECHL) and then moved to Florida after the Lynx ceased operations in the beginning of December. In 39 ECHL games played this season combined between Augusta and Florida Auffrey has 23 points (6 goals, 17 assists) and 72 penalty minutes. The Cincinnati, Ohio native was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks (then the Mighty Ducks) in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2009


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