AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk splits pair of 3-1 decisions with Binghamton

April 5, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – In a battle for fourth place in the East Division, the Blue and Gold split their final two home games with the B-Sens this past weekend. On Friday, April 2, a three-point performance by Charlie Stephens lifted the Senators to a 3-1 win. The following night, Marty Wilford scored once and added a helper as the Admirals returned the favor, downing Binghamton by the same count.

Norfolk wraps up the 2003-04 campaign in three different venues this week. The squad leaves on Wednesday and then visits the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) on Thursday, April 8 at 7:05 p.m., Binghamton (Ottawa Senators) on Friday, April 9 at 7:05 p.m. and the Hershey Bears (Colorado Avalanche) on Saturday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m.

The Admirals are fifth in the East Division with a record of 34-34-4-5 (77 GP, 77 points). They trail Philadelphia (77 GP, 45-24-6-2, 98 points), Bridgeport (77 GP, 40-23-10-4, 94 points) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (77 GP, 34-28-8-7, 83 points) and Binghamton (77 GP, 34-33-7-3, 78 points). Hershey (77 GP, 31-34-8-4, 74 points) and Albany (77 GP, 19-38-11-9, 58 points) are behind Norfolk in the standings.

For the latest Calder Cup 2004 Playoffs standings and information, visit caldercup.com.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday, April 8 ... Norfolk @ Bridgeport Sound Tigers ... 7:05 p.m.

Norfolk is 4-2-0-1 against the Sound Tigers this season, including a 2-0-0-1 in Connecticut. The Blue and Gold are 6-2-0-1 all-time versus Bridgeport. The Islanders' farm hands have allowed the fewest goals this year (138), and only Portland's 1,094 PIM are less than Bridgeport's 1,117 PIM. The squad is 20th in the AHL on the power play (12.6) and first in penalty killing (90.2). Jeff Hamilton sits atop the team's scoring list in goals (42), power play tallies (19), game-winning goals (15) and points (67). He is first in the AHL in lamplighters and game-winners, and seventh in points. Hamilton also leads the Sound Tigers with a plus-18 rating, while Martin Kariya owns the lowest rating at minus-11. Eric Manlow's 26 assists are most on the club. Graham Belak has spent the most time in the penalty box with 187 PIM. In net, Dieter Kochan is 19-17-6 with a 1.91 GAA and a .931 spct. in 43 games. He is fourth in the League in GAA and tied with Maxime Ouellet (POR) for seventh in spct. Scott Stirling has a shutout victory in his lone start for Bridgeport.

Friday, April 9 ... Norfolk @ Binghamton Senators ... 7:05 p.m.

The Blue and Gold are 4-3-0-0 versus the B-Sens this year, but have just one win in three tries at the Broome County Veteran's Memorial Arena (1-2-0-0). Norfolk holds a 7-4-0-0 advantage in the teams' all-time series. The Senators' 1,993 PIM are second in the AHL only to Philadelphia (2,176). Binghamton's special teams are 15th with the man-advantage (15.2) and 18th when shorthanded (84.7). Denis Hamel is the team-leader in goals (28), assists (37) and points (65). He is tied with Aaron Gavey (SJS) and Steve Kelly (MCH) for ninth on the AHL scoring list. His four shorthanded tallies give him a share of the League-lead with several others in that category. Peter Smrek's plus-11 rating is highest among current Senators while David Hymovitz's minus-17 is the lowest. Brian McGratton has 323 PIM to lead the team and rank him second in the AHL behind Peter Vandermeer (375 PIM). Between the pipes, Ray Emery is 21-22-5 with a 2.53 GAA and a .920 spct. in 50 appearances. Billy Thompson is 13-14-2 with a 2.89 GAA and a .906 spct.

Saturday, April 10 ... Norfolk @ Hershey Bears ... 7:00 p.m.

The Admirals are 2-5-1-1 against the Bears this year, and are winless at the Giant Center (0-3-1-0). Nevertheless, Norfolk maintains a 17-12-5-3 lead in the all-time series between the clubs. Hershey's 16 home wins this season are second fewest in the Eastern Conference (Albany - 12). The Bears' power play unit is 12th in the League (15.56) while their penalty killers are 20th (84.31). Steve Brule currently tops Hershey with 28+28=56 points. Pascal Trepanier's 31 assists are most on his team. His minus-31 rating is lowest on the Bears, and only Jarrod Skalde (minus-37) has a lower rating the entire League. Marc Busenberg's plus-20 rating is best on the squad. Denis Bonvie has 141 PIM in 27 games with Hershey to lead the team, and his 278 PIM total ties him with Brandon Sugden (SYR) for third-most in the AHL.

Minding the cage, Peter Budaj is 16-20-6 with a 2.82 GAA and a .917 spct. in 45 games. In eight appearances, Phil Sauve is 2-6-0 with a 2.89 GAA and a .900 spct.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Over their last 12 games (since March 7), the Admirals have scored either three, one or zero goals each time. The team lit the lamp three times in six matches, netted one tally twice and posted a goose egg four times. The Blue and Gold are 4-8-0-0 during that stretch.

* Norfolk has been shut out in back-to-back contests four times and held scoreless a total of 13 times this season.

* The Admirals' 22 home wins this year are second only to Philadelphia (24) in the East Division, and tie them with Hartford and Manchester for second-most home victories in the Eastern Conference.

* The Blue and Gold have allowed the fewest shots in the AHL (1,881 - 24.43 per game).

* Norfolk's goaltenders Michael Leighton and Craig Anderson both rank among the top 13 League netminders in goals against average (Leighton, 1.93 GAA - fifth; Anderson, 2.11 GAA - 13th).

* Anderson made 22 stops to earn the win over Binghamton on April 3, ending a three-game losing streak (since March 21).

* With a goal and an assist on Saturday, Marty Wilford has 5+35=40 points on the year. He has registered at least 40 points in each of his three seasons with the Admirals (48 in 2000-01 and 2002-03). He is currently second among

AHL blueliners in helpers (Bryan Muir, MCH - 36). * The AHL regular season concludes on Sunday, April 11.

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

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



American Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2004


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