AHL Norfolk Admirals

On the Road Again: Admirals Head East

Published on December 2, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Admirals are thankful for a pair of home wins last week around Thanksgiving and will now hit the road again for a East Division trek this week.

On Wednesday night, the Admirals topped Springfield 6-4 at Scope as Brandon Bochenski had two goals and newcomer Grant Potulny had a goal and an assist hours after arriving in a trade from San Antonio. On Friday night, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins netted a pair of third period goals to down the Admirals 4-3 at Scope. In the Saturday rematch, Norfolk netted two third period goals to tie the game and Matt Smaby scored 2:13 into overtime for a 4-3 win at Scope. On Sunday in Hershey, the Admirals fell to the league-leading Bears 3-2 at Giant Center despite a pair of assists from Brandon Bochenski.

The Admirals road trip will continue Wednesday and Friday nights in Albany. After a Saturday night tango with the Sound Tigers in Bridgeport, the East Division trek will conclude where it started at Giant Center on Sunday evening in Hershey. Fans are invited to watch Friday night's game against Albany at Lendy's Café on General Booth Boulevard in Virginia Beach. For more information, please see below.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 7-12-1-3 (18 points), Norfolk sits in sixth place in the East Division but is just six points back of the fourth and final playoff spot. The Hershey Bears (18-5-0-1, 37 points) own the East's and the league's best record. They are followed by Bridgeport (15-5-0-2, 32 points), Binghamton (11-8-2-2, 26 points), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (11-9-1-1, 24 points) and Philadelphia Phantoms (12-11-0-0, 24 points). The Albany River Rats (6-9-3-2, 17 points) round out the division.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Dec. 3 ... at Albany River Rats (Carolina Hurricanes) ... 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 5 ... at Albany River Rats (Carolina Hurricanes) ... 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 6 ... at Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) ... 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 7 ... at Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals) ... 5:00 p.m.

ADMIRALS' LOG

- Matt Smaby sandwiched a brief NHL recall with a goal on Wednesday against Springfield and the overtime game-winning tally on Saturday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Entering this week, Smaby had three career professional goals in 155 combined NHL and AHL games.

- On Wednesday, the Admirals acquired forward Grant Potulny from the San Antonio Rampage in exchange for future considerations. After registering just one assist in seven games with the Rampage, Potulny has two goals and two assists in four games with Norfolk after being reunited with former University of Minnesota and Binghamton Senators teammate Brandon Bochenski.

- On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning traded defenseman Andrew Hutchinson to the Dallas Stars in exchange for right wing Lauri Tukonen.

- On Sunday in Hershey, Mathieu Curadeau scored his first AHL goal in his fourth AHL game. The center, who made his Admirals debut on Friday versus Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and played one game with the Worcester Sharks last year, was recalled from the IHL's Fort Wayne Komets on Thursday.

- On Sunday in Hershey, the Admirals played their fourth game in a five-night span and began a five-game road trip that takes place over eight days.

- Norfolk sent a season-high 48 shots on net - including 19 in the third period alone - on Saturday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

- Jamie Heward saw his seven-game scoring streak (4G, 6A) end on Friday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

- Blair Jones' four-game scoring streak (3G, 4A) ended on Saturday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

- Admirals captain Zenon Konopka tied an AHL career high with three assists in his 300th career AHL game on Wednesday against Springfield.

- Defenseman Scott Jackson netted his first professional point with an assist on Wednesday against Springfield.

ADMIRALS RBK/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

Brandon Bochenski: 4 GP, 4G, 4A, 8PTS, 4 PIM

No player picked up more points in the American Hockey League last week than Brandon Bochenski, who notched a pair of points in all four of Norfolk's games last week. On Wednesday versus Springfield, Bochenski netted two goals to pace the Admirals in a 6-4 win over the Falcons. On Friday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Bochenski's goal with 29 seconds remaining brought Norfolk to within a goal of tying the Penguins in a 4-3 loss. In the Saturday rematch, Bochenski started a successful third period comeback with a power play goal as Norfolk topped Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in overtime. On Saturday in Hershey, Bochenski made two impressive plays to set up goals by Grant Potulny and Mathieu Curadeau and give Norfolk a third period lead against the AHL-best Bears. However, Norfolk eventually fell 3-2.

Bochenski was either #1 or #2 star of each game he played last week. He is now tied for the team lead in power play goals with four, is second in goals with nine and is third in points with 19. His 82 shots on goal are tied for the fourth most in the AHL and trail only Paul Szczechura's 85 in Norfolk. He has points in his last four games (4G, 4A) and has points in seven of his last nine games (7G, 7A).

WATCH FRIDAY'S GAME AGAINST THE RIVER RATS AT LENDY'S CAFÉ

On Friday night, the Admirals will take on the Albany River Rats at 7:00 p.m. Even though the game is in New York, you can still join your fellow Admirals fans to cheer on Norfolk at Lendy's Café, 1581 General Booth Boulevard in Virginia Beach. Lendy's will show the AHL Live internet video broadcast of the game. Seating is limited. For more information about Lendy's Café, please call (757) 491-3511 or visit www.lendys.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS/PROMOTIONS For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

Wednesday, December 10 (vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins)

- Family Fun Pack Night - Family Fun Packs are available for every Wednesday and Thursday Admirals home game throughout the regular season. The offer four Red Level tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns and four sodas for just $48 - that's a savings of $37! Family Fun Packs are available at the Scope Box Office and online at ticketmaster.com.

- Student Rush Night - High school and college students with a valid school ID can get $8 White Level tickets only at the Scope Box Office after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the game. This offer is available on all Wednesday and Thursday home games throughout the regular season.

Friday, December 12 (vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

- Toy Toss - Admirals fans are asked to bring new stuffed toys with them to the game on Friday night and to throw them onto the ice after the Admirals score their first goal of the game. The toys will be donated to the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Ronald McDonald House, St. Mary's Home for Children, and 4Kids Inc. Shelters.

- College Fair Night - Several Virginia colleges and universities will be on hand to distribute material to prospective students. High school students with a valid student ID can get a white level ticket for $8 at the Scope Box Office. If you are interested in having your college or university participate in the College Fair Night, please call Meghan Hayes at (757) 640-1212 ext. 22.

Saturday, December 13 (vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

- Public Safety Pride Night - Show your appreciation for area public safety officials on Public Safety Pride Night on December 13. Ten dollar tickets are available through the Admirals Group Sales Office or through area police and firefighters. For more information, contact Admirals Director of Group Sales Charlie Colón at (757) 640-1212 ext. 23. Saturday will also feature pre-game action with "The Bravest" battling "The Finest" at 3:00 p.m. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. and a ticket to one of the games gets you into the other for free.

THIS WEEK ON THE ADMIRALS HOUR

Tune in to the Admirals Hour on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. Admirals Vice President Joe Gregory, Admirals Color Commentator Pat Shetler, Admirals Hall of Fame Member and the founder of the Admirals Blake Cullen, and Admirals part-owner Dave Rosenfield will be in the studio hosting the show.

NORFOLK STREAKS AND TRENDS

Player Streak/Trend Totals Streak Start

Brandon Bochenski Four-game point streak 4G, 4A 11/26 vs. SPR

Brandon Bochenski Three-game assist streak 4A 11/28 vs. WBS

Brandon Bochenski Points in 7 of last 9 games 6G, 6A 11/15 at MCH

Blair Jones Points in 4 of last 6 games 3G, 4A 11/21 at SPR

Blair Jones Goals in 3 of last 5 games 3G 11/22 at LOW

Jamie Heward Points in 9 of last 11 games 4G, 8A 10/29 vs. PHI

Zenon Konopka Points in 4 of last 6 games 2G, 6A 11/21 at SPR

ADMIRALS AMONG THE TOP 50 IN THE AHL:

- Points: Paul Szczechura (24, T-8th), Brandon Segal (20, T-30th), Brandon Bochenski (19, T-35th), Radek Smolenak (18, T-44th)

- Goals: Paul Szczechura (11, T-10th), Brandon Bochenski (9, T-21st), Brandon Segal and Radek Smolenak (8, T-40th)

- Assists: Paul Szczechura (13, T-28th), Steve Downie and Brandon Segal (12, T-37th)

- Plus/Minus: Daryl Boyle (+8, T-26th), Paul Szczechura (+7, T-35th)

- Penalty Minutes: Radek Smolenak (93, T-3rd), Brent Henley and Zenon Konopka (63, T-18th), Steve Downie (51, T-42nd), Jay Rosehill (49, T-47th)

- Power Play Goals: Jamie Heward and Brandon Bochenski (4, T-20th), Radek Smolenak (3, T-47th)

- Power Play Assists: Jamie Heward (7, T-18th), Blair Jones (6, T-30th), Steve Downie (5, T-49th)

- Shorthanded Goals: Paul Szczechura (1, T-12th)

- Game-Winning Goals: Zenon Konopka (3, T-3rd)

- Shots: Paul Szczechura (85, T-3rd), Brandon Bochenski (82, T-4th), Blair Jones and Brandon Segal (69, T-12th), Zenon Konopka (61, 31st), Radek Smolenak (57, T-45th)

- Rookie Scoring: Daryl Boyle (9, T-38th)

- Defense Scoring: Jamie Heward (13, 10th), Daryl Boyle (9, T-31st)

- Games Played: Karri Ramo (18, T-2nd)

- Minutes Played: Karri Ramo (1074, 2nd)

- Wins: Karri Ramo (5, T-24th)

- Saves: Karri Ramo (499, T-2nd)

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Paul Szczechura (11)

Assists: Paul Szczechura (13)

Points: Paul Szczechura (24)

Games: Several (24)

PP goals: Brandon Bochenski, Jamie Heward (4)

SH goals: Paul Szczechura (1)

+/- Rating: Daryl Boyle (+8)

PIM: Radek Smolenak (93)

GAA: Karri Ramo (3.58)

Spct: Karri Ramo (.886)

Wins: Karri Ramo (5)

Losses: Karri Ramo (9)

GPI: Karri Ramo (18)

Minutes: Karri Ramo (1074)

ALBANY LEADERS

Goals: Jakub Petruzalek (7)

Assists: Brett Carson (9)

Points: Jakub Petruzalek (11)

Games: Several (20)

PP goals: Several (2)

SH goals: Pat Dwyer, Mark Flood, Dwight Helminen (1)

+/- Rating: Nick Dodge (+2)

PIM: Trevor Gillies (65)

GAA: Justin Peters (2.79)

Spct: Justin Peters (.911)

Wins: Daniel Manzato, Justin Peters (3)

Losses: Justin Peters (7)

GPI: Justin Peters (14)

Minutes: Justin Peters (775)

BRIDGEPORT LEADERS

Goals: Mike Iggulden (11)

Assists: Kurtis McLean (14)

Points: Mike Iggulden (21)

Games: Several (22)

PP goals: Mike Iggulden (6)

SH goals: Tyler Haskins, Kurtis McLean (1)

+/- Rating: Jamie Fraser (+11)

PIM: Tim Jackman (35)

GAA: Nathan Lawson (1.16)

Spct: Nathan Lawson (.952)

Wins: Peter Mannino (6)

Losses: Yann Danis (3)

GPI: Peter Mannino (11)

Minutes: Peter Mannino (615)

HERSHEY LEADERS

Goals: Alexandre Giroux (17)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (27)

Points: Keith Aucoin (36)

Games: Several (24)

PP goals: Alexandre Giroux (5)

SH goals: Greg Amadio (1)

+/- Rating: Francois Bouchard, Oscar Osala, Mathieu Perreault (+17)

PIM: Greg Amadio (63)

GAA: Simeon Varlamov (2.31)

Spct: Simeon Varlamov (.906)

Wins: Simeon Varlamov (9)

Losses: Daren Machesney (3)

GPI: Daren Machesney (12)

Minutes: Daren Machesney (699)

TRANSACTIONS OF THE PAST WEEK

November 24, 2008 ADD G Karri Ramo - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD D Jamie Heward - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

November 25, 2008 DELETE D Jamie Heward - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD F Brent Henley - Recalled from loan to Augusta (ECHL)

DELETE C Wyatt Smith - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

November 26, 2008 ADD C Grant Potulny - Traded from San Antonio (AHL)

ADD D Jamie Heward - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

November 27, 2008 DELETE D Matt Smaby - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

DELETE RW Steve Downie - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD C Mathieu Curadeau - Recalled from loan to Fort Wayne (IHL)

November 28, 2008 DELETE D Andrew Hutchinson - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

DELETE RW Jason Ward - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

November 29, 2008 ADD RW Jason Ward - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD D Matt Smaby - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

November 30, 2008 ADD G Riku Helenius - Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) from Augusta (ECHL)

December 1, 2008 DELETE LW Radek Smolenak - Recalled from loan to Tampa Bay (NHL)

DELETE C Paul Szczechura - Recalled from loan to Tampa Bay (NHL)

TICKETS

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!

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

All games are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. The games are also cybercast at SportsJuice.com. Go to SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at norfolkadmirals.com. Broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to game time.

Games are also viewable through the Internet on a pay-per-view basis through AHL Live. Visit norfolkadmirals.com and click the AHL Live banner on the left side of the site to view all Admirals' home and away games.




American Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2008


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.

OurSports Central