AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Sweeps San Antonio

Published on April 14, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Blue and Gold swept the San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers) in three games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. On Thursday, April 10, Peter White's goal with less than three minutes remaining in overtime gave the Admirals a 4-3 win in Game One. The following evening, Michael Leighton made 28 saves as Norfolk edged San Antonio by a 2-1 count. On Sunday, April 13, the Admirals capped off the best-of-five playoff series with a 3-1 victory in Texas.

The Blue and Gold are now waiting for the results of the remaining Western Conference Quarterfinal series to determine their next playoff opponents. Match ups in the best-of-five Quarterfinals are:
#1 Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings) vs. #8 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)
#2 Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild) vs. #7 Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)
#4 Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers) vs. #5 Hershey Bears (Colorado Avalanche)
The Conference Semifinals will pit the highest remaining seed vs. the lowest seed and the second highest seed vs. the second lowest seed.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk's three-game sweep of San Antonio was its first sweep in four playoff series since joining the AHL.

* The Admirals allowed just five goals against the Rampage, the fewest allowed in a series in the team's brief playoff history.

* The Blue and Gold were a perfect 12-12 on the penalty kill versus San Antonio.

* LW Quintin Laing's shorthanded tally against the Rampage on April 13 was only the third shorthanded goal in Norfolk's 16-game playoff history. Matt Henderson and Valeri Zelepukin each scored shorthanded in 2001.

* D Todd Gill leads the Admirals with 1+4=5 points in the playoffs and is the only Admiral to pick up points in all three games. He has the most post-season points of any AHL blue liner and is tied with several others for the League lead in assists.

* Defensemen have accounted for four of Norfolk's nine goals against San Antonio (Gill, Johnathan Aitken, Kent Huskins, Marty Wilford).

* G Michael Leighton is first in GAA among playoff goaltenders with a 1.00 GAA while G Craig Andersson is fourth with a 1.75 GAA. Leighton is also first in save percentage with a .966 spct.

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.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the Admirals' next two playoff games go on sale beginning Wednesday, April 16 at Scope's Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by phone at (757) 671-8100 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Individual playoff ticket prices are $16.75 (Gold level), $12.75 (Blue level) and $9.75 (White level). For more information about playoff tickets, call (757) 363-1900 or visit the team's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

2003-2004 Season Tickets are also on sale now through the Admirals' office. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the team's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2003


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