Phantoms Slip Past Admirals
January 2, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. - Despite two goals from Juraj Simek (YOHR-igh SHEE-mehk), the Norfolk Admirals (15-19-2-0) fell to the Adirondack Phantoms (16-15-2-0) 3-2 on Saturday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Admirals will close out a three-game road trip on Wednesday night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before hosting the Syracuse Crunch at Norfolk Scope next Friday and Saturday nights.
The Phantoms took a 1-0 lead 5:09 into the game. Adirondack leading scorer Jon Matsumoto emerged from the right corner and skated across the circle and into the slot before sending a wrist shot high past Norfolk netminder Jaroslav Janus.
The Admirals tied the game at 1-1 on the power play late in the first period. Juraj Simek sent a snap shot from the right faceoff circle that glanced off the right arm of Phantoms goaltender Johan Backlund on its way into the net at 17:03.
It appeared as if the teams would head to the first intermission tied at 1-1. However, Adirondack scored with one-tenth of a second remaining in the period, as Joey Mormina's shot from middle of the blueline was redirected by Andreas Nodl past Janus.
The Admirals briefly knotted the game at two goals apiece with a nice passing play midway through the second stanza. Adam Hall broke up a play in his defensive zone and started a three-on-one Norfolk attack. Radek Smolenak sped into the attacking zone and sent a pass from the left wing to the slot for a bump pass by Lukas Krajicek to the right circle. Simek one-timed the puck past Backlund at 8:15 for his second goal of the game and ninth of the season.
However, the Phantoms took less than two minutes to re-claim the lead on the power play. Sean Curry's point shot was redirected in the slot by Stefan Legein into the net at 9:44 for a 3-2 Adirondack lead.
The Admirals sent 14 shots on Backlund in the final frame but were unable to get one past the netminder as the Phantoms held on for the 3-2 decision.
Jaroslav Janus (33 shots, 30 saves) was saddled with the loss. Johan Backlund (28 shots, 26 saves) earned the win.
Norfolk was 1-3 on the power play. Adirondack was 1-4.
The Admirals will close out a three-game road trip in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with a game against the Penguins on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.
The next home action for the Admirals will be a pair of games against the Syracuse Crunch on Friday and Saturday, January 8-9. Friday is All Faith Night with special discounted group tickets available for organizations of all faiths.
Saturday is Special Olympics Night and 2010 Pro Sports Calendar Giveaway Night. Discounted fundraising tickets are available through the Admirals website with proceeds going to Special Olympics of Virginia. Plus, a limited amount of 2010 Pro Sports Calendars featuring the Admirals and Norfolk Tides will be given away at the gates.
For a complete schedule and details of the promotions, please visit norfolkadmirals.com or call (757) 640-1212.
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 1-800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 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!
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