AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk's Woes on the Road Continue

Published on March 17, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Blue and Gold extended their winless streak to six games (0-4-2-0), finishing the week with two losses and two ties. On Wednesday, March 12, Norfolk and Hershey skated to a 1-1 draw at Scope. In the first of three road contests last weekend, the Worcester IceCats outlasted the Admirals 3-2 on March 14. The next evening, the Manchester Monarchs thrashed the Blue and Gold by a 4-1 count. The Admirals concluded the week with a 2-2 tie at the Lowell Lock Monsters.

The Blue and Gold continue a five-game road tilt Wednesday, March 19 with a 7:05 face off against the Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings). The squad then takes on the Portland Pirates (Washington Capitals) on Thursday, March 20 at 7:05 p.m. The Admirals return to Hampton Roads for a pair of games against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) on Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 23 at 4:00 p.m.

Norfolk remains in first place in the South Division with 78 points (32-22-10-4), just two points ahead of Hershey (31-24-12-2, 76 points). Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is in third (30-29-5-5, 70 points) and Philadelphia sits in fourth (27-29-5-6, 65 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, March 19...Norfolk @ Manchester Monarchs...7:05 p.m.

The Admirals and Monarchs are 1-1-1-0 against each other this season. Manchester has the highest ranked power play unit in the League (20.00) and is ranked 10th when shorthanded (84.83). They have been outscored 72-59 in the second period, but have outscored their foes 70-54 in the first period, 82-50 in the third period and 6-5 in overtime. The club is led in scoring by Eric Healey (36+24=60 points). His 36 lamplighters are most of all current AHL skaters. He is also first on the Monarchs and tied for fourth in the League (Matt Herr, Providence) with 14 power play goals. Tomas Zizka leads all defensemen on the squad with 13+30=43 points, and he is tied with several others for fourth in scoring among AHL blueliners. His plus-15 rating is currently highest on the team. Kip Brennan and Joe Rullier have seen the most time in the penalty box, with 161 PIM and 153 PIM, respectively. Travis Scott has seen the bulk of action in the cage, appearing in 42 games with a record of 18-17-4, a 2.61 GAA and a .915 spct.

Thursday, March 20...Norfolk @ Portland Pirates...7:05 p.m.

This is the final contest between the teams this year. Norfolk holds a 2-0-1-0 edge in the season series, including a 4-2 win in their last meeting at Portland on October 11. The Pirates are fifth in the League with the man-advantage (18.53) and sixth on the penalty kill (85.78). They have outscored their opponents 197-168 despite being outshot 2,358-2,077. Trent Whitfield tops the club in goals (26), points (59, 33 assists) and shorthanded goals (five). Peter Ferraro is second in scoring (20+36=56 points), and leads the Pirates in helpers and plus-minus rating (plus-22). Brother Chris Ferraro has 45 points (16+29) in 47 games. Josef Boumedienne' s 42 points (9+33) place him tied with Norfolk's Marty Wilford for seventh in scoring among League defensemen. His 131 PIM are most on the team. The netminding tandem is comprised of Maxim Ouellet (43 GPI, 22-13-6, 2.25 GAA, .934 spct.) and Rastislav Stana (18 GPI, 6-10-1, 2.41 GAA, .928 spct.). Ouellet is fourth in the AHL in GAA, tied for third in wins, fifth in minutes (2,511), third in saves (1,327), and currently leads the League in save percentage and shutouts (seven).

Saturday, March 22...Norfolk vs. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 23... Norfolk vs. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...4:00 p.m.

The Mighty Ducks swept the two previous match ups at Cincinnati on February 21 and 22. Their seven road victories are fewest among all AHL clubs. Cincinnati's penalty killers are eighth in the AHL (84.96) while its power play unit ranks last (11.57), having scored a League-low 39 power play tallies in 337 opportunities. The Ducks have outscored their opponents 67-57 in the opening period, but have been outscored 79-62 in the second period, 63-43 in the third period and 5-3 in overtime. Tony Martensson tops the squad in assists (26) and points (41, 15 goals), and is among the top-scoring rookie skaters in the AHL. Brendan Yarema's 17 lamplighters are most on the Ducks. Mark Popovic leads all Cincinnati defensemen in scoring with 3+21=24 points. Cam Severson has spent the most time in the ‘sin bin' with 129 PIM. Ilja Bryzgalov has made 43 appearances in net, posting a 10-20-7 record, a 2.79 GAA and a .911 spct.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Saturday, March 22 (Cincinnati Mighty Ducks)

* The final 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.

Sunday, March 23 (Philadelphia Phantoms)

* SpongeBob SquarePants Appearance - Fans can meet Nickelodeon's popular cartoon character from Bikini Bottom in the Pacific Ocean and have their picture taken with SpongeBob.

* Post-Game Skate - Fans can bring their skates, or a limited number of rentals will be available.

* Family Four Pack Night - Receive four Blue Level tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks for $44.00. Available through the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. (Must be purchased in advance - not available day of the game.)

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk has only two wins in its last 13 games (2-7-4-0 since February 15) and is rapidly approaching a franchise mark for futility set last season when the team won only twice in 15 outings (2-8-4-1 from January 18 to February 16, 2001).

* During the last 13 games, the Blue and Gold have been held to two goals or less 10 times.

* The Admirals are winless in their last eight road contests (0-5-3-0 since February 8). They last claimed victory on the road when they defeated Grand Rapids 3-1 on February 7.

* Norfolk has outshot its opponents in 11 of its last 12 matches, including a team-record 10 straight games from February 21 through March 14.

* Since being reassigned to Norfolk on January 27, G Michael Leighton is 1-4-4 in nine appearances.

* Despite leading the AHL in GAA, G Craig Andersson is 1-5-2 in his last eight games.

* D Marty Wilford is scoreless in seven games (since March 7).

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 is pre-empted this week, and will next air Thursday, March 27 on WBVA AM-1450 "The Buzz" when host Pete Pochkowski 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. 2003 Calder Cup Playoff Packages as well as 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2003


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