Norfolk Scores Four Unanswered Goals in 4-2 Victory Over Manchester
January 10, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
NORFOLK, VA - All-Star Steve Downie erased a two-goal deficit with a pair of second period goals and Bracken Kearns netted the third-period game-winning goal for the second time in as many nights as the Norfolk Admirals (16-19-1-4) defeated the Manchester Monarchs (17-18-0-5) 4-2 on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.
The Monarchs took a 1-0 lead just 1:25 into the game. Andrew Campbell sent a wrist shot from the high slot that eluded Norfolk netminder Mike McKenna stick-side.
The Manchester lead doubled near the midpoint of the opening frame. Justin Azevedo picked off an errant pass just inside the Norfolk blueline, skated behind the net and sent a wraparound shot off the back of McKenna's right skate and into the net at 10:54.
Downie put Norfolk on the board with a shorthanded goal at 4:20 of the second period. While skating two-on-one, Zenon Konopka sent a pass from the left wing to Downie at the opposite circle. Downie sent a shot under the leg pads of Manchester goaltender Jonathan Bernier and into the net.
Downie then tied the game with a highlight-reel goal at 11:40 on the power play. He broke down the left wing and faked a shot from in close before pulling the puck back, dragging it past Bernier's right leg and slipping a shot around the post while standing behind the goal line for his ninth goal of the season.
Norfolk took a 3-2 lead 2:38 into the third period. Straddling the goal line, Radek Smolenak sent a shot on goal from the left corner that bounced off Bernier. The puck came to Bracken Kearns near the bottom of the left circle, and Kearns snuck a shot through the leg pads of Bernier for his eighth goal of the season.
Downie had a hat trick in his sights with only 41 seconds remaining in the contest. Bernier had left the crease in favor of the extra attacker and Downie could have elected to shoot through traffic at the empty net. Instead, he decided to pass to wide-open teammate Chris Gratton in the left circle and Gratton scored.
Mike McKenna (21 shots, 19 saves) picked up the win. Jonathan Bernier (31 shots, 28 saves) got the loss.
Norfolk was 1-5 on the power play. Manchester was 0-5.
The Admirals' nine-game homestand continues next week with a pair of contests against the Worcester Sharks. The puck drops on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:15.
Friday is All Faith Night. Groups of all faiths may purchase $10 red level tickets through the Admirals office. Just call (757) 640-1212 ext. 23 or visit norfolkadmirals.com for more details.
Saturday night will be Pink in the Rink Night. The event will seek to educate and raise awareness about breast cancer while also raising monies for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Events leading up to and during the game include a breast cancer informational session, survivor participation during game night, "Hockey 101- A Clinic for Women" and a silent auction for player-autographed Tampa Bay Lightning merchandise. Even the ice will be pink! Special $12 Red Level Tickets will be available for groups of 10 or more people. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Tickets for groups of 10 or more people may be ordered by calling the Admirals at (757) 640-1212. You may also download an order form at norfolkadmirals.com.
To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2008-09 season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2009
- Home-and-home finishes with loss for Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
- Crawford, IceHogs hold off Toronto 1-0 - Rockford IceHogs
- Goaltending duel ends in 2-1 shootout loss for Chops - Iowa Chops
- Houston Aeros winless in six straight, fall 3-1 in Quad City - Houston Aeros
- Rivermen Outlast Wolves 3-2 - Peoria Rivermen
- B-Sens Double Up On Rochester, 4-2 - Binghamton Senators
- Sound Tigers win over Wolf Pack - Bridgeport Islanders
- Admirals Return Fire, down Rampage 3-1 - San Antonio Rampage
- Norfolk Scores Four Unanswered Goals in 4-2 Victory Over Manchester - Norfolk Admirals
- Larsson Blanks Phantoms With AHL-High Fifth Shutout, 4-0 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Moose grill Chops in shootout 2-1 - Manitoba Moose
- Wolves' comeback falls short in 3-2 loss to Peoria - Chicago Wolves
- Downie Periscope - Manchester Monarchs
- Peters Nets Goal In Late Win As Flames Finish Home Stand - Abbotsford Heat
- Bulldogs Sweep Monsters With 4-3 Win - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Griffins Netminder Shuts Down Phantoms In 4-1 Win - Adirondack Phantoms
- Pirates Pour Offense All Over Falcons - Portland Pirates
- Late Goal Sinks Devils, 2-1 - Worcester Sharks
- Crunch Grind Out Road Win in Wilkes-Barre - Syracuse Crunch
- Lawson, Bridgeport hold off Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- Devils Bitten By Sharks' Late Goal, 2-1 - Albany Devils
- River Rats Cage Hershey 6-4 In Wild Affair - Albany River Rats
- Defensemen Bobby Sanguinetti Recalled From Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- Canucks re-assign Jaffray to Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Carpentier Sent To Wranglers - Abbotsford Heat
- Blunden Loaned to Crunch from Blue Jackets - Syracuse Crunch
- AHL announces suspension of Manitoba's Fitzgerald - AHL
- Saturdays Penguins Game to be Played as Scheduled - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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.
