AHL Norfolk Admirals

Rats Slip Past Admirals

Published on April 4, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - Brandon Segal and Bracken Kearns continued their strong play, but the Norfolk Admirals (26-43-2-5) surrendered three goals in the second period as the Albany River Rats (42-27-3-4) defeated them 5-2 on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.

A Segal power play goal put the Admirals on top 7:24 into the first period. Blair Jones sent a slap shot from the high slot into the chest of Albany goaltender Michael Leighton. The puck bounded back into the slot between the hashmarks and Segal stashed it past Leighton stick-side.

Albany tied the game at 1-1 less than eight minutes later. Kiel McLeod skated the puck from the right corner to the bottom of the right circle before sending a cross-crease pass to Nicolas Blanchard. Blanchard tapped the puck past Admirals backstop Jonathan Boutin from the left side of the crease at 15:22.

Albany took a 4-1 lead after two periods. Ben Cottreau scored on a breakaway by sliding the puck into the net around Boutin's right leg at 5:05. Brandon Sutter scored his first professional goal with a wrist shot through a screen from the left faceoff dot while the River Rats skated with a six-on-four advantage at 7:12. Joe Jensen picked up his own rebound near the bottom of the left circle and sent it into the cage at 16:26.

Albany took a 5-1 lead when Jerome Samson picked off an Admirals pass and sent a slap shot past Boutin at 3:19 of the final frame.

David Koci spearheaded Norfolk's second goal of the game under a minute later. Koci entered the attacking zone along the right wing and maneuvered through two defenders before sending a centering pass from the right corner toward the slot. Bracken Kearns lit the lamp with a one-timer at 4:17.

Jonathan Boutin (30 shots, 25 saves) got the loss. Michael Leighton (36 shots, 34 saves) earned the win.

Norfolk and Albany were both 1-6 on the power play.

The Admirals will close out the 2007-08 home schedule tomorrow night with a rematch against the River Rats beginning at 7:15.

The game will be AAA Member Night and Fan Appreciation Night. AAA Members receive $3 off any red level seat when purchased at the Scope Box Office with a valid AAA card. Fan Appreciation Night will also take place in the home finale on Saturday with hundreds of prizes given out to the best fans in the American Hockey League - including driving experiences at Richmond International Raceway, airline tickets, golf outings, season tickets, Admirals and Lightning memorabilia and much more!

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. To purchase Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets, please stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please note that all remaining 2007-08 Admirals games will be broadcast on 100.5 MAX-FM.

Three Stars:

1. Brandon Sutter - ALB

2. Jerome Samson - ALB

3. Brandon Segal - NOR

Notes: The Admirals out-shot the River Rats 36-30, ending a streak of 20 games where they were out-shot by their opponent. During the streak, which began on 02/20 at Bridgeport, Norfolk was out-shot 752-471 (-281) ... RW Brandon Segal netted his first power play goal of the season in the first period. He now has points in four of his last seven games (3-2-5) since March 21 versus Lowell ... C Bracken Kearns has points in three of his last five games (3-1-4) ... RW Chris Lawrence has points and assists in six of his last nine games (1-5-6) ... D Dane Crowley made his professional debut after being signed to an Amateur Tryout Contract earlier today ... F Adam Henrich, F Norm Milley, D Andy Rogers, and D Mario Scalzo missed the game due to injury while D Sean Hurley, F Justin Keller, F Rob Klinkhammer, F Marek Kvapil and RW Kyle Wanvig were healthy scratches ... Attendance: 4,116.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2008


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