Admirals Over The Marlies 4-2 Before A Sellout Crowd. Norfolk Takes A 2-0 Lead Up To Toronto.

NORFOLK, Va. – Four different Admirals scored goals and Dustin Tokarski stopped 30 of 32 shots as the Norfolk Admirals defeated the Toronto Marlies, 4-2, in front of a sellout crowd at Norfolk Scope Arena on Saturday night. The Game 2 victory gave the Admirals a two-games-to-zero lead in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals. The series now shifts to Toronto with Game 3 set for Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum.

Richard Panik had a goal and an assist while Mike Angelidis, Keith Aulie and Evan Oberg tallied two assists each. Alexandre Picard, Brandon Segal and Trevor Smith also scored. Dustin Tokarski (10-2) got his second win of the Calder Cup Finals stopping all but two Toronto shots. Ben Scrivens (11-4) lost his second consecutive game, allowing four goals on 32 Norfolk shots. The Scope crowd of 8,661 was the first playoff sellout in AHL Admirals history and just the second playoff sellout since the Admirals began play at Scope in 1989-90.

Photo: John Wright

Panik opened the scoring for Norfolk with his fourth goal of the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs at 14:38 of the first period. Evan Oberg sent a long pass across the ice to Panik in the low right circle. In anticipation of the oncoming Panik, Scrivens attempted to poke check the puck away. The attempt left the space between his legs open, and Panik backhanded the puck through for a 1-0 lead.

Toronto responded less than four minutes later with a power play goal. In the Toronto offensive zone, Jake Gardiner passed the puck to Joe Colborne who wound up and beat Tokarski with a slapshot from the right circle at 18:20 to tie the game at 1-1.

Norfolk went ahead, 2-1, at 15:17 of the second period after a Picard score. From the left point, Evan Oberg sent a high shot towards Scrivens. Before reaching the net, Mike Angelidis deflected the puck down and into Scrivens, where the Toronto netminder kicked the puck back into play. Picard stuck the rebound past the prone goaltender from the right faceoff circle for his team-leading ninth goal of the playoffs.

Photo: John Wright

Norfolk’s lead doubled midway through the third period on Segal’s fifth goal of the playoffs. Aulie batted the puck out of the air and then sent a pass through the neutral zone to Angelidis, who quickly shuffled the puck to his left to Segal. Segal crossed the blue line and fired a wrist shot past Scrivens’ glove at 8:26.

Smith stretched the home team’s lead to 4-1 with his fifth goal of the playoffs late in the third period. Panik sent a pass from the right corner across the slot. Smith accepted the pass and sent a quick shot through the legs of the goaltender at 15:52.

Juraj Mikus closed out scoring with 43 seconds remaining in regulation on his first goal of the playoffs.

Norfolk was 0-for-4 on the power play while Toronto was 1-for-5.

 

Toronto Marlies 2 at Norfolk Admirals 4 – Status: Final
Saturday, June 2, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Toronto 1 0 1 – 2
Norfolk  1 1 2 – 4

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Panik 4 (Oberg), 14:38. 2, Toronto, Colborne 2 (Gardiner, Lashoff), 18:20 (PP). Penalties-Segal Nor (goaltender interference), 11:13; Smith Nor (cross-checking), 18:06.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Picard 9 (Angelidis, Oberg), 15:17. Penalties-Rosehill Tor (high-sticking), 7:27; Ashton Tor (slashing), 19:34; Picard Nor (goaltender interference), 19:34; Lashoff Tor (hooking), 19:50.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Segal 5 (Angelidis, Aulie), 8:26. 5, Norfolk, Smith 5 (Panik, Aulie), 15:52. 6, Toronto, Mikus 1 (Ashton, Dupuis), 19:17. Penalties-Rosehill Tor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 3:17; Cote Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 3:17; Gardiner Tor (interference), 3:47; Barberio Nor (slashing), 4:54; Mikus Tor (tripping), 5:08; Gudas Nor (tripping), 10:18; Smith Nor (high-sticking), 11:55.

Shots on Goal-Toronto 10-9-13-32. Norfolk 14-10-8-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Toronto 1 / 4; Norfolk 0 / 4.
Goalies-Toronto, Scrivens 11-4-0 (32 shots-28 saves). Norfolk, Tokarski 10-2-0 (32 shots-30 saves).
A-8,661
Referees-Francis Charron (46), Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Matt MacPherson (83), John Grandt (95).

Norfolk Draws First Blood, Beat The Marlies 3-1

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Admirals opened the 2012 Calder Cup Finals by celebrating some of their recent accomplishments.

They closed out the night one step closer to a title.

Rookie stars Cory Conacher and Tyler Johnson each had a goal and an assist as Norfolk blitzed the Toronto Marlies early and held on late, taking a 3-1 decision in a feisty opener to the American Hockey League’s 76th championship series.

In a pre-game ceremony, the Admirals raised banners to the Scope rafters commemorating their East Division, overall regular season and Eastern Conference playoff titles, as well as a fourth recognizing their record 28-game winning streak.

Once the puck dropped, Norfolk was quick to show the dominance they’ve displayed while winning 40 of their last 43 games.

Photo: L. Todd Spencer – The Virginian-Pilot

Conacher, the AHL’s most valuable player and rookie of the year in 2011-12, opened the scoring with the teams skating four-on-four at 12:21 of the first period, snapping a shot past Ben Scrivens. It was the second postseason goal for Conacher, who had led the league with 39 goals during the regular season.

Shots were 16-9 after one period and 27-12 by the midway point of the second period when Johnson doubled the lead to 2-0, ripping a bullet by Scrivens at 10:03. It was just the fourth power-play goal allowed by the Marlies all postseason.

Toronto finally got on the board at 3:57 of the third period, with former Admiral Carter Ashton, in his first action since Game 2 of the first round vs. Rochester, beating Dustin Tokarski to make it 2-1. That goal ended Tokarski’s personal shutout streak at 203 minutes and 26 seconds, just 4:01 shy of the all-time Calder Cup playoff record set by the Springfield Indians’ Marcel Paille in 1962.

The Marlies continued to pressure for the equalizer, but could not convert on three third-period power plays before Brandon Segal secured the win with an empty-net shorthanded tally with 18.3 seconds remaining.

Photo: L. Todd Spencer – The Virginian-Pilot

Scrivens (11-3, 1.64, .945) finished with 39 saves on the night as the Marlies were outshot by a 42-24 margin. Tokarski (9-2, 1.60, .940) stopped 23 shots to help Norfolk to its seventh consecutive victory.

The game, which featured a combined 70 minutes in penalties, saw Toronto finish 0-for-10 on the power play and Norfolk go 1-for-5.

NOTES: Attendance at Scope was 7,229… In Calder Cup Finals history, the Game 1 winner has won the series 56 of 75 times.

Toronto Marlies 1 at Norfolk Admirals 3 – Status: Final
Friday, June 1, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Toronto 0 0 1 – 1
Norfolk  1 1 1 – 3

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Conacher 2 (Johnson, Oberg), 12:21. Penalties-Lashoff Tor (hooking), 1:25; Mueller Tor (roughing), 1:25; Cote Nor (slashing, roughing), 1:25; Panik Nor (hooking), 8:15; Dimmen Nor (tripping), 11:34; Dupuis Tor (tripping), 11:40; Labrie Nor (roughing), 15:46; Picard Nor (roughing), 18:47.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Johnson 4 (Barberio, Conacher), 10:03 (PP). Penalties-Conacher Nor (slashing), 4:47; Dupuis Tor (cross-checking), 9:18; Dupuis Tor (roughing), 12:24; Conacher Nor (roughing), 12:24; Picard Nor (cross-checking), 13:24; Picard Nor (checking to the head), 18:01; Dupuis Tor (goaltender interference), 19:23; Mikus Tor (roughing), 19:23; Palat Nor (roughing), 19:23; D’Amigo Tor (roughing), 20:00.

3rd Period-3, Toronto, Ashton 1 (Scott, Gardiner), 3:57. 4, Norfolk, Segal 4 (Smith, Gudas), 19:41 (SH EN). Penalties-Acton Tor (roughing), 8:59; Gudas Nor (roughing), 8:59; Kostka Nor (hooking), 10:38; Fraser Tor (fighting), 14:38; Labrie Nor (boarding, fighting), 14:38; Oberg Nor (delay of game), 18:24; Rosehill Tor (elbowing, misconduct), 19:57.

Shots on Goal-Toronto 9-9-6-24. Norfolk 16-13-13-42.
Power Play Opportunities-Toronto 0 / 10; Norfolk 1 / 5.
Goalies-Toronto, Scrivens 11-3-0 (41 shots-39 saves). Norfolk, Tokarski 9-2-0 (24 shots-23 saves).

A-7,229
Referees-Francis Charron (46), Jean Hebert (43).
Linesmen-Matt MacPherson (83), John Grandt (95).

Admirals and Marlies Game In 6 Minutes

Admirals take game one 3-1.

The Toronto Sun – Marlies Gear Up For The Cup Final (Link and Commentary)

Link:  http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/30/marlies-gear-up-for-cup-final

Here’s a nice article on the upcoming Admirals / Marlies Cup Final. I only take one exception to the article about the Norfolk Scope. During the season we may have had some sparse crowds. It was expected and not surprising to anyone that goes to the games. The crowds may have never filled up the rink, but the crowds were dedicated hockey fans showing support for the Admirals. Ever since we had the winning streak and moved deep into the playoffs the crowds have become larger and the noise got louder. I expect that this weekend we will see and hear our largest crowds of the season.

The writer for the Toronto Sun wrote in his article …. “Toronto has had the benefit of going into sparsely filled rinks and quickly taking out what little crowd atmosphere there has been. The Scope in Norfolk won’t likely sell out either.”  Well Mr. Lance Hornby… I hope you are making the trip down to see the games. The Norfolk Scope is NOT going to be a sparsely filled rink. The Toronto Marlies are NOT going to see fans sitting in the stands  on their hands. Who knows if we will sell out the arena on both nights. It sure as hell is going to be damn close to doing so. The atmosphere is going to be lively and energetic and not the falling like a deflated balloon like you predict.

I am a fan of hockey on all levels. I would be happy watching a pickup game at the rink or watching it on the tube. This weekend I will be in the stands supporting MY TEAM fighting for the Calder Cup. I can assure the Toronto Marlies a few things. The Norfolk Admirals are not going to sit on their rear ends and play dead to ANYONE. If they believe that then they can go back and ask the Monarchs, Whale, and the IceCaps. The Norfolk Admirals are going to be coming at you hard. Carter Ashton cannot save you by telling you our so-called systems and how to play against our team. Your coach says that Keith Aulie can’t help us because you play multiple systems. I am pretty sure our coach likes to switch things up as well. Last, but not least…. The Admirals have a great fan base down here. You are NOT going to come into this so-called sparsely filled rink and quickly take out the so-called little crowd atmosphere that we have here.

Good luck Marlies….you are going to need it!

GO ADMIRALS!!!

It’s Calder Cup time!

Marlies lose leading scorer Frattin on eve of Calder Cup final

TORONTO The Toronto Marlies are heading into the Calder Cup final without their leading scorer.

Matt Frattin will miss the AHL championship series against the Norfolk Admirals, which starts Friday, after learning he needs surgery to repair a damaged knee.

“Matt Frattin is done for the playoffs,” Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins said after Tuesday’s practice. “He sustained a knee injury that will require surgery. I have no time line for rehab and that kind of stuff. All I know is he won’t play again this season.”

Photo: RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR

The 24-year-old injured his knee in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Barons when he crashed awkwardly into the net after scoring his second goal of the night.

Frattin’s absence is a huge blow to the Marlies as he leads AHL playoff scorers with 10 goals in 13 games. Dating back to the regular season he has 27 goals in 46 games with the Marlies.

The Edmonton native was playing on both the No. 1 line and the top power-play unit before going down. Replacing his offensive contributions will be difficult.

It’s unclear who will take Frattin’s spot in the lineup, however Greg McKegg skated on a line with Phil Dupuis and Nicolas Deschamps Tuesday.

The timing couldn’t be better for McKegg, who joined the Marlies on Tuesday after wrapping up his junior season with the London Knights.

“He’s a guy whose junior season is over and he’s an option,” said Eakins. “He’s played at a high level over the last few weeks and that bodes well for him.”

The one bright light at Tuesday’s practice was that defencemen Korbinian Holzer and Mark Fraser took part in full team drills after resting on Monday.

Forward Mike Zigomanis skated on his own but didn’t stay on the ice when the team arrived.

Wingers Marcel Mueller and Carter Ashton skated in noncontact jerseys and still aren’t cleared to play yet while forward Nazem Kadri did not skate at all and Eakins was tight-lipped about his status.

The Marlies will practise once more in Toronto before flying to Norfolk Wednesday afternoon.

The Canadian Press

It’s Calder Cup Finals Time. Admirals Will Take On The Toronto Marlies.

The Admirals eliminated the IceCaps earlier this week and returned home to rest up for the final round. Toronto and Oklahoma City still had battle it out for the final spot. It only took one more game for the Marlies to settle things with the Barons and take the final spot. The Calder Cup final round is set and it’s time to battle it out for the cup. The Norfolk Admirals and the Toronto Marlies will meet in Norfolk next week to kick things off. Once again we are looking at a 2-3-2 format. Norfolk has home ice advantage and will host the first two games.

Calder Cup Finals Schedule

• Game 1 – Friday, June 1, 7:30 p.m., Norfolk Scope Arena (Game L)
• Game 2 – Saturday, June 2, 7:15 p.m., Norfolk Scope Arena (Game M)
• Game 3 – Thursday, June 7, 7:00 p.m., Ricoh Coliseum
• Game 4 – Saturday, June 9, 3:00 p.m., Ricoh Coliseum
• *Game 5 – Sunday, June 10, 3:00 p.m., Ricoh Coliseum
• *Game 6 – Wednesday, June 13, 7:15 p.m., Norfolk Scope Arena (GameN)
• *Game 7 – Friday, June 15, 7:30 p.m., Norfolk Scope Arena (Game O)
• *if necessary … All times Eastern

Anchors Aweigh!

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The Norfolk Admirals have won theRichard F. Canning Trophy as the AHL’s Eastern Conference champions for 2011-12, claiming the title with a 4-0 victory over the St. John’s IceCaps in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series at Mile One Centre in St. John’s, N.L., on Tuesday night.

Norfolk goaltender Dustin Tokarski made 28 saves in Game 4 for his second consecutive shutout. The Admirals set an AHL record for fewest goals allowed in a four-game Calder Cup playoff series, outscoring St. John’s by a 14-2 margin in the sweep.

The top affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the Admirals finished with the best record in the AHL (55-18-1-2, 113 points) during the regular season on the strength of a record-shattering 28-game winning streak to close out the year. Under second-year head coach Jon Cooper, Norfolk defeated the Manchester Monarchs (3-1) in the conference quarterfinals, the Connecticut Whale (4-2) in the conference semifinals and the IceCaps (4-0) in the conference finals to reach the Calder Cup Finals for the first time in the franchise’s 12 AHL seasons.

Norfolk is the ninth consecutive team from the AHL’s East Division to win the Canning Trophy, following Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (2004, ’08), Philadelphia (2005), Hershey (2006, ’07, ’09, ’10) and Binghamton (2011).

The Admirals will face either the Oklahoma City Barons or the Toronto Marlies in the 2012 Calder Cup Finals. The Marlies currently lead the Western Conference Finals, two games to one.

Established in 1990, the AHL’s Eastern Conference championship trophy honors Richard F. Canning, who served the AHL for more than 50 years during his career, including a term as league president from 1958-61. Mr. Canning is recognized as the author of the AHL’s constitution, by-laws and regulations.

Eastern Conference Finals – Series “M” (best-of-7)
1-Norfolk Admirals vs. 2-St. John’s IceCaps 
Game 1 – Thurs., May 17 - NORFOLK 6, St. John’s 1
Game 2 – Sat., May 19 - NORFOLK 3, St. John’s 1
Game 3 – Mon., May 21 - Norfolk 1, ST. JOHN’S 0 (OT)
Game 4 – Tue., May 22 - Norfolk 4, ST. JOHN’S 0

Norfolk Admirals 4 St. John’s IceCaps 0

Norfolk Admirals 4 at St. John’s IceCaps 0 – Status: Unofficial Final
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 – Mile One Centre

Norfolk      2 1 1 – 4
St. John’s 0 0 0 – 0

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Oberg 2 (Picard, Angelidis), 15:15. 2, Norfolk, Johnson 3 (Palat, Barberio), 17:47 (PP). Penalties-Conacher Nor (double minor – high-sticking), 4:02; Conacher Nor (tripping), 8:47; Postma Stj (slashing), 16:01.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Smith 4 (Labrie, Aulie), 1:41. Penalties-Postma Stj (hooking), 6:34; Devos Nor (hooking), 8:55; Aulie Nor (interference), 10:48; DeSantis Stj (tripping), 13:24; Cote Nor (cross-checking), 17:47; Sawada Stj (slashing), 17:47.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Segal 3 (Johnson), 9:28 (PP). Penalties-Scheifele Stj (interference), 9:17; Picard Nor (double minor – high-sticking), 13:09; Redmond Stj (slashing), 17:21.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 18-15-9-42. St. John’s 7-8-14-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 2 / 5; St. John’s 0 / 7.
Goalies-Norfolk, Tokarski 7-2-0 (29 shots-29 saves). St. John’s, Pasquale 7-7-0 (42 shots-38 saves).

A-6,287
Referees-Mark Lemelin (41), Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Matt MacPherson (83), Joe Maynard (24).

Admirals Win 4-0, Sweep The IceCaps 4 Games To 0

Congratulations to the Norfolk Admirals. The Admirals 4-0 win over the St. John’s IceCaps completes the sweep. The Admirals will now return to Norfolk and rest up for the Calder Cup Finals. Norfolk’s opponent has yet to be determined. The Toronto Marlies lead the Oklahoma City Barons 2-1 in their conference final series.