Admirals Go 1-2 On Weekend Roadtrip

The Norfolk Admirals returned from the holidays with 3 games in 3 nights. First up for the Admirals was a match up against the former Norfolk Admirals. This was the first of eight games for these two teams. Syracuse took the first game 4-2 and will be Norfolk’s opponent this upcoming Friday and Saturday. Next up for the Admirals was a game against the divisional rival WB/S Penguins. Norfolk bounced back with a 3-2 overtime victory. Norfolk’s hope for salvaging the weekend road trip was spoiled in the first period of their Sunday afternoon match against the Springfield Falcons. Springfield held the Admirals to a Emerson Etem shorthanded goal and beat the Admirals 4-1.

Game Summary From The Norfolk Admirals:

December 29, 2012

Maroon Nets Overtime Winner As Admirals Top Penguins

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, Penn. – Patrick Maroon scored a power play goal 1:21 into overtime as the Norfolk Admirals (14-14-1-0) topped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (14-13-2-1), 3-2, on Saturday night from the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Chris Wagner and Peter Holland also scored for Norfolk, while goaltender Igor Bobkov (7-8-0) stopped 23 of 25 shots in the victory.

Norfolk, which has posted a 7-3-1-0 record in December so far, rounds out the month and a three-game road trip tomorrow evening against the Springfield Falcons. They return to Norfolk Scope Arena on Friday and Saturday nights to face off against the Syracuse Crunch.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton opened scoring 4:14 into the first period. Brian Gibbons sent a wrist shot from the right point through a screen and past Bobkov to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

The Admirals tied the game at 1-1 midway through the second period. Wagner won a faceoff at the left dot in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton zone to Gabe Guentzel at the left point. Guentzel skated into the high slot and sent a wrist shot through traffic. Wagner deflected the shot past Penguins goaltender Jeff Zatkoff at 6:06 for his third goal of the season.

Norfolk took a 2-1 lead late in the second period on Holland’s team-leading 12th goal of the season. A Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward sent a shot that caromed all the way around the glass in the Admirals’ zone and landed just across the blue line near the left point. Holland picked up the puck on a breakaway and scored glove-side at 16:33.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Penguins tied the game just 46 seconds later. Former Admirals forward Trevor Smith won a faceoff in left circle. He centered the puck towards the low slot, and Jayson Megna sent a shot between Bobkov’s legs to tie the game at 2-2 at 17:19 of the second period.

After a scoreless third period, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Benn Ferriero was whistled for hooking 27 seconds into overtime, giving Norfolk a four-on-three skater advantage. Holland sent a pass from the bottom of the right circle across the slot to Maroon, who was stationed on top of the goalmouth to Zatkoff’s right. Maroon tipped the puck past the right skate of the goaltender and into the net for his ninth goal of the season at 1:21, as Norfolk claimed the 3-2 victory.

Zatkoff (11-10-0) stopped 25 of 28 shots.

Norfolk was 1-for-4 on the power play. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 0-for-3.

Three Stars:
1. Patrick Maroon – NOR
2. Peter Holland – NOR
3. Jayson Megna – WBS

NOTES … Patrick Maroon has points in four consecutive games (2g, 2a) … Norfolk has overtime wins in two of their last three games. Peter Holland has the primary assist on both overtime goals … With his two-point performance tonight, Holland now has 29 points (12g, 17a) in 29 games this season … The Admirals have improved to 6-1 in games decided after regulation, with a 3-1 mark in overtime and a 3-0 mark in shootouts … Did not play: Ryan Lasch, John Kurtz, Brandon McMillan, Matt Smaby, Nick Schaus, Frederik Andersen. 

Norfolk Admirals 3 (OT) at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2 – Status: Final OT
Saturday, December 29, 2012 – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

Norfolk             0 2 0 1 – 3
W-B/Scranton 1 1 0 0 – 2

1st Period-1, W-B/Scranton, Gibbons 4 (Samuelsson, Morrow), 4:14. Penalties-Guentzel Nor (hooking), 8:50; Palmieri Nor (slashing), 12:05; Farnham Wbs (goaltender interference), 19:38.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Wagner 3 (Guentzel, Bodie), 6:06. 3, Norfolk, Holland 12   16:33. 4, W-B/Scranton, Megna 3 (Smith), 17:19. Penalties-Peters Wbs (high-sticking), 18:55.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-served by Holzapfel Wbs (bench minor – too many men), 12:18; Maroon Nor (tripping), 15:39.

OT Period-5, Norfolk, Maroon 9 (Holland, Palmieri), 1:21 (PP). Penalties-Ferriero Wbs (hooking), 0:27.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 7-13-5-3-28. W-B/Scranton 11-6-8-0-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 4; W-B/Scranton 0 / 3.
Goalies-Norfolk, Bobkov 7-9-0 (25 shots-23 saves). W-B/Scranton, Zatkoff 11-10-0 (28 shots-25 saves).

A-5,101
Referees-Geno Binda (22).
Linesmen-Scott Adams (20), Matt McNulty (26).

December 30, 2012

Admirals Close Out Road Trip With Loss In Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Emerson Etem’s shorthanded goal was the only tally of the game for the visitors as the Norfolk Admirals (14-15-1-0) closed out a three-game road trip with a 4-1 loss to the Springfield Falcons (17-8-2-3) on Sunday evening from MassMutual Center. Norfolk went 1-2-0-0 on the road trip.

The Admirals, who posted a 7-4-1-0 record in December, return to Norfolk Scope Arena on Friday and Saturday nights to face off against the Syracuse Crunch.

Springfield took the lead 10:13 into the first period. David Savard sent a shot from the left point that Admirals goaltender Igor Bobkov blocked. However, Ryan Johansen found the rebound in the bottom of the left circle and sent the puck into the net to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

The Falcons doubled their lead just over three minutes later. Nick Drazenovic sent a snap shot from the left circle between Bobkov’s legs and into the net at 13:22 for a 2-0 Springfield lead.

Matt Calvert made the score 3-0 less than three minutes later. He attempted a wraparound shot from behind the goal line to Bobkov’s left. The puck caromed back to Calvert off a defender’s skate, and the Falcons forward sent a shot past Bobkov’s glove from the right circle at 16:06.

The Falcons took a 4-0 lead with a power play goal 4:57 into the second period. Cam Atkinson centered the puck from behind the net to former Norfolk captain Ryan Craig at the goalmouth. Craig one-timed the puck into the net past Bobkov’s left leg.

Frederik Andersen took over between the pipes for the Admirals to start the third period, and Norfolk broke up Springfield netminder Allen York’s shutout bid with a shorthanded goal 2:47 into the final frame. Etem sent a pass from the neutral zone to Nate Guenin, who entered the attacking zone along the right wing and sent a shot on York. The rebound came into the slot, and Etem scored his ninth goal of the season to cut Springfield’s lead to 4-1.

Bobkov (7-9-0) stopped 23 of 27 shots through two periods and took the loss. Andersen (7-7-0) stopped all nine shots he faced in the third period and did not receive a decision. York (1-2-0) stopped 25 of 26 shots for the win.

Norfolk was 0-for-4 on the power play. Springfield was 1-for-7.

The Admirals return to Norfolk Scope Arena on Friday and Saturday nights to host the Syracuse Crunch. The first 2,012 fans through the gates on Friday will receive an Admirals Calder Cup replica trophy, courtesy of John’s Tax Service, JPM Financial Services and WTKR NewsChannel3.

Three Stars:
1. Matt Calvert – SPR
2. Allen York – SPR
3. Nick Drazenovic – SPR

NOTES … Did not play: Ryan Lasch, Brandon McMillan, Matt Smaby, Nick Schaus, Marco Cousineau, Jay Rosehill.

Norfolk Admirals 1 at Springfield Falcons 4 – Status: Final
Sunday, December 30, 2012 – MassMutual Center

Norfolk       0 0 1 – 1
Springfield 3 1 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Springfield, Johansen 12 (Savard, Holden), 10:13. 2, Springfield, Drazenovic 9 (Atkinson, Erixon), 13:22. 3, Springfield, Calvert 10   16:06. Penalties-Weber Spr (hooking), 3:14; Amadio Spr (cross-checking), 12:22; Palmieri Nor (interference), 13:07.

2nd Period-4, Springfield, Craig 8 (Atkinson, Calvert), 4:57 (PP). Penalties-Vatanen Nor (hooking), 3:51; Etem Nor (boarding), 6:19; Etem Nor (roughing), 8:23; Amadio Spr (roughing, roughing), 8:23; Maroon Nor (fighting), 12:32; Craig Spr (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting), 12:32; Wagner Nor (slashing), 15:02; Clark Nor (fighting), 18:02; Weber Spr (fighting), 18:02.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Etem 9 (Guenin), 2:47 (SH). Penalties-Caputi Nor (high-sticking), 1:22; Guentzel Nor (slashing), 9:37; Maroon Nor (roughing, misconduct – abuse of officials), 14:00.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 7-11-8-26. Springfield 18-9-9-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 0 / 4; Springfield 1 / 7.
Goalies-Norfolk, Bobkov 7-9-0 (27 shots-23 saves); Andersen 7-7-0 (9 shots-9 saves). Springfield, York 1-2-0 (26 shots-25 saves).

A-2,763
Referees-T.J. Luxmore (49), Jon McIsaac (45).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Paul Simeon (66).

New Admirals Lose To The Old Admirals…Or Crunch 4 Admirals 2

Gary Walts, The Post-Standard

Last night was the first meeting of the our current Admirals taking on our old Admirals. The new look Syracuse Crunch are held together by players that wore an Admirals jersey last season. It’s was a bittersweet meeting for the fans. While we enjoy the current version of the Admirals it is hard to let go of the team that skated here last season. Syracuse basically got a championship team gift wrapped and put under the tree this season. A team that many feel should be in Norfolk. Well it is what it is and there is nothing that we, the fans, could do anything about. We move on and embrace the Ducks prospects and skate ahead in search of another Calder Cup. While the outcome of the game was not what we wanted, it was a close game with some fireworks at the end that will make next weeks games a little bit more interesting. Here is the recap from the Norfolk Admirals.

Admirals Fall to Syracuse, 4-2

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Kyle Palmieri and Sami Vatanen netted goals, but the Norfolk Admirals (13-14-1-0) fell to the Syracuse Crunch (19-7-1-3), 4-2, on Friday night from the Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter. The game was the first of eight meetings between the clubs in 2012-13.

Norfolk suffered just its third regulation loss in December, falling to 6-3-1-0 in the month. Admirals goaltender Igor Bobkov (6-8-0) stopped 28 of 32 shots. Syracuse netted three power play goals in the contest.

Norfolk plays the second game of its three-game road trip tomorrow night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Syracuse took a 2-0 lead after one period on a pair of power play one-timers. Mark Barberio scored on a shot from the right point at 9:42. Alex Killorn then scored on a shot from the slot at 12:12.

Norfolk cut its deficit to one goal 7:19 into the second stanza. Palmieri picked off a pass in the neutral zone and skated in alone on Crunch goaltender Dustin Tokarski. He sent a backhand shot over Tokarski’s right leg for his tenth goal of the season, cutting Syracuse’s lead to 2-1.

Syracuse restored its two-goal lead exactly five minutes into the final frame as Ondrej Palat scored on a rebound to give the home team a 3-1 lead.

Vatanen’s fourth goal of the season came at 10:54 of the third period. Patrick Maroon sent a pass through two sets of legs to the rookie defenseman, who scored to cut the Crunch lead to 3-2.

However, Brett Connolly netted the third Syracuse power play goal of the contest at 16:15 for the 4-2 final score.

Tokarski (12-5-3) stopped 16 of 18 shots in the win.

Norfolk was 0-for-2 on the power play. Syracuse was 3-for-4.

The Admirals and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins face off at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow night from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania. Tune in to 102.1-FM, 1490-AM, 1021TheGame.com or AHLLive.com.

After completing their three-game road trip, the Admirals return to Norfolk Scope Arena next Friday and Saturday nights to host the Syracuse Crunch. The first 2,012 fans through the gates next Friday will receive an Admirals Calder Cup replica trophy, courtesy of John’s Tax Service, JPM Financial Services and WTKR NewsChannel3.

Three Stars: 
1. Tyler Johnson – SYR
2. Ondrej Palat – SYR
3. Kyle Palmieri – NOR

NOTES … This game marked the first time the Admirals faced Syracuse with the Crunch as the top affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. Norfolk and Tampa Bay were affiliated from the 2007-08 – 2011-12 seasons … Fourteen of Syracuse’s 20 players in the lineup in tonight’s game played for the Admirals in 2011-12 … This was also the first time the Crunch faced Norfolk with the Admirals as the top affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. Syracuse and Anaheim were affiliated from 2010-11 – 2011-12 … Thirteen of Norfolk’s 20 players in the lineup in tonight’s game played for the Crunch in 2011-12 … Did not play: Ryan Lasch, Luca Caputi, John Mitchell, Matt Smaby, Nick Schaus, Frederik Andersen. 

Norfolk Admirals 2 at Syracuse Crunch 4 – Status: Final
Friday, December 28, 2012 – Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter

Norfolk     0 1 1 – 2
Syracuse 2 0 2 – 4

1st Period-1, Syracuse, Barberio 6 (Connolly, Johnson), 9:42 (PP). 2, Syracuse, Killorn 11 (Namestnikov, Oberg), 12:12 (PP). Penalties-served by Brown Syr (bench minor – too many men), 4:02; Vatanen Nor (hooking), 8:17; Maroon Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting), 10:48; Angelidis Syr (fighting), 10:48; Namestnikov Syr (tripping), 12:39.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Palmieri 10   7:19. Penalties-Wagner Nor (hooking), 18:16.

3rd Period-4, Syracuse, Palat 4 (Taormina, Johnson), 5:00. 5, Norfolk, Vatanen 4 (Maroon, Wagner), 10:54. 6, Syracuse, Johnson 19 (Panik, Palat), 16:15 (PP). Penalties-Rosehill Nor (hooking), 15:46; Hendry Nor (fighting), 20:00; Maroon Nor (roughing, roughing, major – spearing, game misconduct – spearing), 20:00; Angelidis Syr (fighting, misconduct – continuing altercation), 20:00; Aulie Syr (roughing, roughing), 20:00; Gudas Syr (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 8-7-3-18. Syracuse 9-12-11-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 0 / 2; Syracuse 3 / 4.
Goalies-Norfolk, Bobkov 6-8-0 (32 shots-28 saves). Syracuse, Tokarski 12-5-3 (18 shots-16 saves).

A-5,776
Referees-Chris Ciamaga (24).
Linesmen-John Everett (82), Joe DeMizio (3).

 

Admirals Sweep Albany In Weekend Series At Scope

Former Admirals and current Albany Head Coach Rick Kowalsky came to town with the Devils hoping to pick up a couple of wins this weekend. Igor Bobkov and the Admirals were not going to let that happen. With Frederik Anderson sitting out with an upper body injury, the goaltending duties were all Bobkovs. Needless to say Igor Bobkov was up for the challenge. He stood on his head as the Admirals took Friday’s game 2-1 and followed up with a strong performance on Saturday as the Admirals came from behind for the 2-1 win in overtime. The Admirals have put together a solid December and will need to keep the momentum going after they return from the Christmas break.

From the Norfolk Admirals:

Friday 12/21/12

Special Teams and Goaltending Key in Admirals Victory

 

NORFOLK – Igor Bobkov made 35 saves and the Norfolk Admirals (12-13-1-0) scored twice on the power play while denying all 10 power play opportunities by the Albany Devils (9-10-0-6), as they claimed a 2-1 win on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The same teams face off again tomorrow night at Scope at 7:15 p.m.

Bobkov improved his season record to 5-7-0 with the win. Devante Smith-Pelly and Patrick Maroon scored power play goals in the first period as Norfolk carried a 2-0 lead into the final minute of regulation.

The Admirals took the lead exactly four minutes into the contest on Smith-Pelly’s fifth goal of the season. Gabe Guentzel sent a shot from the high slot that Albany goaltender Jeff Frazee stopped. However, Smith-Pelly fount the rebound in the goalmouth and stuffed it under Frazee for a 1-0 Norfolk lead.

The home team doubled their lead at 16:31 of the first period with another power play tally. Sami Vatanen fired a slap shot from the blue line that hit Frazee. Maroon found the rebound in the goalmouth and slid a backhand shot around the goaltender’s left leg for his eighth goal of the season.

Neither team scored more than 43 minutes thereafter, although Norfolk’s penalty kill was put to the test. Penalties four seconds apart late in the second period gave the Devils a five-on-three power play for 1:56. However, the Admirals withstood the challenge, with Bobkov making several saves and the defense coming up with big shot blocks and clears. The story was repeated in midway through the third period, with Albany failing to score on a five-on-three advantage that lasted for 1:35.

The Devils out-shot the Admirals, 14-3, in the final frame, and one of their last shots finally solved Bobkov to spoil his shutout bid. Matt Anderson scored with 26 seconds left in the final frame with an assist to Mike Sislo, but it was the only goal Albany would muster in the game.

Jeff Frazee (3-4-3) stopped 28 of 30 shots in the setback.

Norfolk was 2-for-9 on the power play. Albany was 0-for-10.

Three Stars:
1. Igor Bobkov – NOR
2. Devante Smith-Pelly – NOR
3. Patrick Maroon – NOR

NOTES … Norfolk improved to 5-2-1-0 in its eight December games … The Admirals have allowed only 16 goals in seven games in December (2.29 goals against per game) … Norfolk has killed 46 of 50 opponent power plays in December (92.0%) … The Admirals scored multiple power play goals in a game for the first time since November 12th at Albany, ending a stretch of 13 games without multiple power play goals scored … Tonight was just the third of Norfolk’s 26 games in 2012-13 where the team recorded multiple power play goals … Did not play: Mat Clark, John Mitchell, Matt Smaby, Frederik Andersen.

Albany Devils 1 at Norfolk Admirals 2 – Status: Final
Friday, December 21, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Albany 0 0 1 – 1
Norfolk 2 0 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Smith-Pelly 5 (Guentzel, Guenin), 4:00 (PP). 2, Norfolk, Maroon 8 (Vatanen, Holland), 16:31 (PP). Penalties-Wohlberg Alb (holding the stick), 2:24; Gelinas Alb (double minor – high-sticking), 4:15; Maroon Nor (goaltender interference), 4:22; Elkins Nor (delay of game), 11:15; Leach Alb (tripping), 15:30; McMillan Nor (slashing), 16:47.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-McKelvie Alb (interference), 2:43; Palmieri Nor (hooking), 7:05; Schaus Nor (hooking), 9:05; Zalewski Alb (high-sticking), 9:27; Wohlberg Alb (slashing), 12:29; McMillan Nor (high-sticking), 15:10; Guenin Nor (delay of game), 15:14; Sislo Alb (slashing), 17:50.

3rd Period-3, Albany, Anderson 5 (Sislo), 19:34. Penalties-Wohlberg Alb (cross-checking), 1:21; McKelvie Alb (fighting), 7:06; Rosehill Nor (elbowing, fighting), 7:06; Parent Nor (high-sticking), 7:31; Etem Nor (hooking), 12:37; Hendry Nor (roughing), 16:32; Butler Alb (cross-checking), 16:45.

Shots on Goal-Albany 10-12-14-36. Norfolk 14-13-3-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 0 / 10; Norfolk 2 / 10.
Goalies-Albany, Frazee 3-4-3 (30 shots-28 saves). Norfolk, Bobkov 6-7-0 (36 shots-35 saves).

A-4,041
Referees-Darcy Burchell (42), Jason Rollins (37).
Linesmen-Ryan Daisy (90), Scott Adams (20).

Saturday 12/22/12

Etem Plays the Hero as Admirals Vanquish Devils

NORFOLK – Emerson Etem tied the game with 33 seconds remaining in regulation and won it six seconds into overtime as the Norfolk Admirals (13-13-1-0) defeated the Albany Devils (9-10-1-6), 2-1, on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The win moved the Admirals back to .500 on the season.

Norfolk’s Igor Bobkov (6-7-0) and Albany’s Keith Kinkaid (6-7-3) traded saves for over two periods before either team found the back of the net. Bobkov stopped 25 of 26 shots to earn the win and Kinkaid stopped the first 34 Norfolk shots before Etem’s last two shots found the twine behind the Albany netminder. 

The Admirals now embark on a three-game road trip beginning next Friday night against the Syracuse Crunch. They return to Hampton Roads on January 4th and 5th to host the Crunch at Scope.

After a scoreless opening two periods, the Devils got on the board 4:42 into the third period. Steve Zalewski sent a pass from behind the goal line to Bobby Butler. After getting around a Norfolk defender in the low slot, Butler sent a backhand shot over Bobkov’s right shoulder for a 1-0 Albany lead.

The game remained 1-0 in favor of the Devils until the final minute of regulation. Admirals head coach Trent Yawney pulled Bobkov out of the net in favor of an extra attacker, giving Norfolk a six-on-five skater advantage. The game-tying play began after Rod Pelley won his fourth consecutive offensive zone faceoff. Sami Vatanen sent the puck behind the Albany net to Patrick Maroon. Maroon’s first centering attempt ricocheted back to him. However, his second pass found Etem in the low slot for a one-timer that tied the game at 19:27.

On the opening faceoff of overtime, Peter Holland pushed the puck forward toward the Albany blue line. Etem picked up the puck and sped past an Albany defender for a partial breakaway. He held the puck on his backhand until almost to the goalmouth, when he moved to his forehand and tucked a shot around a diving Kinkaid’s right side and into the net.

Norfolk was 0-for-2 on the power play. Albany was 0-for-4.

The Admirals and Syracuse Crunch face off at 7:30 p.m. next Friday night from the Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter in Syracuse, New York. Tune in to 102.1-FM, 1490-AM, 1021TheGame.com or AHLLive.com.

After completing their three-game road trip, the Admirals return to Scope on Friday and Saturday, January 4th and 5th, to host the Syracuse Crunch. The first 2,012 fans through the gates on January 4th will receive an Admirals Calder Cup replica trophy, courtesy of John’s Tax Service, JPM Financial Services and WTKR NewsChannel3.

Three Stars: 
1. Emerson Etem – NOR
2. Igor Bobkov – NOR
3. Bobby Butler – ALB

NOTES … Etem’s goal six seconds into overtime was the fastest to start any period in AHL Admirals history, beating Casey Hankinson’s goal seven seconds into the second period on November 10, 2000, against the Saint John Flames at Scope … Igor Bobkov has gone 3-1-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in December … Bobkov has improved his season record from 3-6-0 with a 3.99 GAA and .886 SV% at the end of November to 6-7-0 record with a 3.29 GAA and .903 SV% now … Norfolk improved to 6-2-1-0 in its nine December games … The Admirals have allowed only 17 goals in nine games in December (1.89 goals against per game) … Norfolk has killed 50 of 54 opponent power plays in December (92.6%) … The Admirals did not allow a power play goal to Albany on 14 chances over the two-game set at Scope … Norfolk is now 3-0-0-0 through three of four games against the Devils in 2012-13. The final game of the regular season series will be played on April 20, 2013, at Albany – Norfolk’s second-to-last game of the regular season … Did not play: Gabe Guentzel, John Mitchell, Matt Smaby, Frederik Andersen.

Albany Devils 1 at Norfolk Admirals 2 (OT) – Status: Final OT
Saturday, December 22, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Albany 0 0 1 0 – 1
Norfolk 0 0 1 1 – 2

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Leach Alb (delay of game), 7:53; Rosehill Nor (interference), 11:00; Clark Nor (tripping), 15:11; Sestito Alb (fighting), 17:11; Schaus Nor (fighting), 17:11.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Wagner Nor (interference), 7:33; Wagner Nor (goaltender interference), 9:49; Zajac Alb (tripping), 12:11.

3rd Period-1, Albany, Butler 11 (Zalewski), 4:42. 2, Norfolk, Etem 7 (Maroon, Vatanen), 19:27. Penalties-No Penalties

OT Period-3, Norfolk, Etem 8 (Holland), 0:06. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Albany 11-10-5-0-26. Norfolk 13-8-14-1-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 0 / 4; Norfolk 0 / 2.
Goalies-Albany, Kinkaid 6-7-3 (36 shots-34 saves). Norfolk, Bobkov 6-7-0 (26 shots-25 saves).
A-4,566
Referees-Darcy Burchell (42).
Linesmen-Ryan Daisy (90), Scott Adams (20).

Admirals Victorious in 8 Round Shootout, Win 3-2 Over The Sound Tigers

The Admirals and Sound Tigers were back in action Saturday Night. The Admirals were looking for some revenge from the previous night. Norfolk started pouring on the shots. They looked a lot better from the previous night and dominated the early part of the game in shots. Bridgeport would deflate the sails a bit as they struck for two early goals. The Admirals would battle back and get the game to overtime and the shootout. Emerson Etem, Devante Smith-Pelley, and Igor Bobkov came up strong and the Admirals took home the victory.

Game Recap From The Norfolk Admirals:

NORFOLK – Devante Smith-Pelly scored the game-tying goal in the third period and the game-winner in the shootout as the Norfolk Admirals (11-12-1-0) erased a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (12-11-1-2), 3-2, on Pucks ‘n’ Paws Night Saturday at Norfolk Scope Arena.

Igor Bobkov (4-6-0) stopped 39 of 41 shots through regulation and overtime before stopping seven of eight shooters in the shootout. He out-dueled Bridgeport goaltender Kevin Poulin, who stopped 49 of 51 shots through regulation and overtime before stopping six of eight shooters in the shootout. John Kurtz also scored for the Admirals, who out-shot the Sound Tigers, 52-41.

After playing the Hershey Bears at Giant Center in Pennsylvania Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m., the Admirals will return to Scope to host the Albany Devils on Friday and Saturday nights next weekend.

Bridgeport took the lead with a power play goal late in the first period. Nino Niederreiter accepted a pass in the right corner. He swung around into the low slot and sent a wrist shot past the right leg of Bobkov for a 1-0 Sound Tigers lead 16:09 into the first period.

Bridgeport’s lead doubled early in the second period on a two-on-one play. Johan Sundstrom sent a pass from the right circle beyond the reach of a Norfolk defenseman to John Persson who was cutting through the left wing. Persson slipped a shot past the left leg of Bobkov at 1:51 for a 2-0 Sounds Tigers lead.

The Admirals cut their deficit to one goal with under a minute remaining in the second period. After breaking up a Bridgeport rush, Gabe Guentzel sent a pass from the Norfolk zone to Kurtz at the opposite blue line for a breakaway. Kurtz sent a wrist shot past the blocker of Sound Tigers goaltender Kevin Poulin at 19:14 for his second goal of the season. The Admirals trailed the Sound Tigers, 2-1, heading into the second intermission.

Smith-Pelly tied the game at 2-2 midway through the third period. Patrick Maroon centered a pass from behind the goal line toward the low slot. Smith-Pelly one-timed it past Poulin at 9:01.

After a scoreless overtime, the teams headed to a shootout. Norfolk’s Emerson Etem broke the ice in the bottom of the third round before Bridgeport’s Jon Landry tied it at 1-1 in the top of the fifth round. Bobkov and Poulin exchanged saves until the bottom of the eighth round when Smith-Pelly found the back of the net blocker-side to give the Admirals the victory.

Norfolk was 0-for-3 on the power play. Bridgeport was 1-for-3 on the power play.

The Admirals and Hershey Bears face off at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday from Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They then return to Scope to host the Albany Devils on Friday and Saturday nights next weekend. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 7:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Three Stars:
1. Devante Smith-Pelly – NOR
2. Igor Bobkov – NOR
3. Kevin Poulin – BRI

NOTES … The Admirals won for the first time this season when surrendering the first goal of the game (1-9-1-0) … Every skater in Norfolk’s lineup registered at least one shot on goal … Igor Bobkov snapped a six-game losing streak dating back to November 2, 2012 … Earlier today, goaltender Marco Cousineau was reassigned to the Admirals by the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks from the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets. Cousineau served as the backup goaltender in the game … Did not play: Nate Guenin, Matt Smaby, Frederik Andersen, Jay Rosehill.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2 at Norfolk Admirals 3 (SO) – Status: Final SO
Saturday, December 15, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Bridgeport 1 1 0 0 – 2
Norfolk       0 1 1 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Niederreiter 13 (Cizikas, Ness), 16:09 (PP). Penalties-Riley Bri (fighting), 13:27; Bodie Nor (fighting), 13:27; Gallant Bri (roughing), 13:39; Clark Nor (roughing), 15:50.

2nd Period-2, Bridgeport, Persson 9 (Sundstrom, Ullstrom), 1:51. 3, Norfolk, Kurtz 2 (Guentzel), 19:14. Penalties-served by Ullstrom Bri (bench minor – too many men), 3:21; Kurtz Nor (interference), 6:43; McIver Bri (fighting), 9:39; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 9:39; Pelley Nor (delay of game – faceoff violation), 19:56.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Smith-Pelly 4 (Maroon), 9:01. Penalties-Landry Bri (holding), 13:28.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Bridgeport 1 (Niederreiter NG, Ullstrom NG, McDonald NG, Cizikas NG, Landry G, Persson NG, Sundstrom NG, Watkins NG), Norfolk 2 (Palmieri NG, Holland NG, Etem G, Maroon NG, Elkins NG, Wagner NG, Vatanen NG, Smith-Pelly G).
Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 14-11-13-3-0-41. Norfolk 21-13-15-3-1-53.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 1 / 3; Norfolk 0 / 3.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Poulin 6-5-2 (52 shots-50 saves). Norfolk, Bobkov 4-6-0 (41 shots-39 saves).
A-4,154
Referees-Trent Knorr (44).
Linesmen-Tom George (61), Luke Murray (92).

Admirals Fall 4-3 To Bridgeport

Photo: John Wright

Admirals hockey returned to Scope this weekend. Our opponent for the night was former Admirals Ty Wishart and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Friday night was also the annual Toys-For-Tots Teddy Bear Toss. Overall it was a pretty back and forth night. Bridgeport got the scoring started, but the Admirals answered back shortly afterward to get the toys flowing on to the ice. The game went back and forth with Patrick Maroon forcing a overtime to give the Admirals a chance for a win. Bridgeport scored in overtime for the win. The goal had to be reviewed as two Admirals and a Sound Tiger ended up in the back of the net with the puck. From my vantage point it looked like the Sound Tiger took the shot, was pushed into Anderson and into the net by Mat Clark. All three players and the puck went into the net prior to the net being dislodged. It was a good goal and this is what the referee thought a s well. Then it got kind of ugly as soda bottles, beer cans were thrown on the ice and at players. Some Bridgeport players were hit with trash coming off of the ice. This was a classless action by people who have no need to be at the games. Definitely not the way the majority of the fans and the Admirals carry themselves. This was not a good way to end the night.

Summary from the Norfolk Admirals:

NORFOLK – Patrick Maroon scored to force overtime late in regulation, but the Norfolk Admirals (10-12-1-0) fell to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (12-11-1-1), 4-3, after Casey Cizikas’ overtime goal on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.

Devante Smith-Pelly and Peter Holland also scored for the Admirals. Frederik Andersen (7-7-0) was saddled with the loss after stopping 23 of 27 shots. Norfolk suffered its first setback of the season in a game that lasted longer than regulation.

The same two teams face off tomorrow night at Scope at 7:15 p.m.

Bridgeport took a 1-0 lead with a power play goal 3:36 into the opening period. Moments after Sound Tigers goaltender Anders Nilsson thwarted a Norfolk shorthanded breakaway, Brock Nelson carried the puck into the right wing. A Norfolk defender knocked him off the puck. The puck slid back into the right circle where John Persson found it and scored, breaking the streak of Norfolk opponent power plays killed at 33 since November 24th.

However, the Admirals dominated much of the remainder of the first period, out-shooting the Sound Tigers, 15-4 and tying the score at 1-1 less than four minutes after the Persson strike. Kyle Palmieri deked around a defender and sent a shot that Nilsson stopped. After Holland got one shot at the rebound, Smith-Pelly was able to chip the puck up and over the prone goaltender for his third goal of the season at 7:10.

Bridgeport re-claimed the lead 1:13 into the second period. Brock Nelson took the puck from near the left corner and skated behind the net. He wrapped a shot around the opposite post and through Andersen’s legs to put the visitors ahead, 2-1.

The Admirals tied the game at 2-2 with a power play goal midway through the second period. Jordan Hendry lofted a wrist shot from the high slot through traffic. Holland deflected the puck down and past Nilsson at 9:06 for his team-leading eleventh goal of the season.

The Sound Tigers took a 3-2 lead early in the third period on a goal by former Admirals defenseman Ty Wishart. Nino Niederreiter picked off a pass in the right corner. He sent it to Wishart in the high slot, and Wishart shot the puck through traffic and past a screened Andersen at 3:31.

The Admirals tied the game at 3-3 with just 2:45 remaining in regulation. Chris Wagner sent a pass across the crease from the left circle. Maroon one-timed the puck past Nilsson for his seventh goal of the season to force overtime.

A hooking penalty to Norfolk’s Sami Vatanen 50 seconds into overtime and a tripping penalty to Bridgeport’s Nino Niederreiter 2:08 into overtime led to three-on-three hockey. Holland and Palmieri created a few chances on the three-on-three before Casey Cizikas carried the puck into the Norfolk zone along the right wing. He sent a shot that Andersen slowed. However, the puck crossed the goal line. The play was reviewed and deemed to be a good goal, giving Bridgeport the win.

Nilsson (6-6-0) stopped 27of 30 shots for the win.

Both teams were 1-for-6 on the power play.

The puck drops tomorrow night at Scope between the Admirals and Sound Tigers at 7:15 p.m. in Pucks ‘n’ Paws Night to benefit the Virginia Beach SPCA and Chesapeake Humane Society. Also tomorrow, the Admirals will hold their second post-game skate of the season where fans can skate at Scope with their favorite Admirals following the game. A limited number of skates will be available or fans may bring their own skates.

Three Stars:
1. Casey Cizikas – BRI
2. Patrick Maroon – NOR
3. Ty Wishart – BRI

NOTES … With a goal and an assist tonight, Peter Holland has multiple-point performances in four of his last five games (2g, 6a) … Jordan Hendry has points in back-to-back games (1g, 1a) and four of his last five games (2g, 2a) after not recording a point in his first 13 games of 2012-13 … Sami Vatanen (0g, 3a) and Brandon McMillan (2g, 1a) saw three-game point streaks end … Norfolk’s streak of opponent power plays ended as 33 consecutive kills after Persson’s first period power play goal. Norfolk went 321:36 without surrendering a power play goal between a Chad Kolarik marker at 2:40 into the first period on November 24th at Connecticut and Persson’s goal 3:36 into the first period tonight … The Admirals were the last of the 30 teams in the AHL to suffer a loss after regulation (overtime or shootout loss) … Did not play: Nate Guenin, Matt Smaby, Corey Elkins.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4 (OT) at Norfolk Admirals 3 – Status: Final OT
Friday, December 14, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Bridgeport 1 1 1 1 – 4
Norfolk       1 1 1 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Persson 8 (Nelson, McDonald), 3:36 (PP). 2, Norfolk, Smith-Pelly 3 (Holland, Palmieri), 7:10. Penalties-McIver Bri (fighting), 1:59; Maroon Nor (fighting), 1:59; Rosehill Nor (elbowing), 2:24; Riley Bri (interference), 3:42; Gallant Bri (fighting), 9:21; Bodie Nor (fighting), 9:21; Donovan Bri (hooking), 13:52.

2nd Period-3, Bridgeport, Nelson 11 (Niederreiter, McDonald), 1:13. 4, Norfolk, Holland 11 (Hendry, Palmieri), 9:06 (PP). Penalties-Wagner Nor (roughing), 1:46; Cizikas Bri (hooking), 4:12; Rosehill Nor (interference), 6:40; Landry Bri (interference), 7:20; McIver Bri (roughing, roughing, fighting, misconduct – continuing altercation), 9:38; Bodie Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:38; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 9:38; Parent Nor (tripping), 12:13.

3rd Period-5, Bridgeport, Wishart 1 (Riley), 3:31. 6, Norfolk, Maroon 7 (Wagner), 17:15. Penalties-Clark Nor (tripping), 14:15.

OT Period-7, Bridgeport, Cizikas 6   2:28. Penalties-Vatanen Nor (hooking), 0:50; Niederreiter Bri (tripping), 2:08.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 4-9-10-3-26. Norfolk 15-6-8-1-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 1 / 6; Norfolk 1 / 6.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Nilsson 6-6-0 (30 shots-27 saves). Norfolk, Andersen 7-7-0 (26 shots-22 saves).

A-4,902
Referees-Trent Knorr (44).
Linesmen-Tom George (61), Luke Murray (92).

Report From The Road – Kettler Capitals IcePlex

Well the game at the Verizon Center didn’t go as planned. The Admirals dropped a close game to the Bears 2-1. My wife and I took the Metro back to Crystal City and called it a night. The next day we had planned to drive over to the Capitals Training facility. The Kettler Capitals IcePlex sits on the 8th floor of a complex that holds not only the training facility, but offices, a mall, and the parking structure.

We had hoped to catch a few Capital players out on the ice. During the lockout they have been renting the ice to keep themselves warmed up and ready for the season. Lately Jay Beagle, John Carlson, and Jason Chimera have been on the ice, but we arrived a little late for their session. Imagine our surprise when we went to the Capitals rink and found our Admirals on the ice. We had thought that after the game they would have hopped on the bus and headed off to Binghamton. They  decided to stay the night and catch an early morning practice. We had the chance to talk with the voice of the Admirals, Pete Michaud, for a little bit and then the Admirals packed up and headed off for a date with the Senators.

Now back to the facility. If you have been to Chilled Ponds out in Chesapeake and liked it then you would love Kettler. Kettler has two distinct sides to it. One side contains the Capitals administrative offices, training facilities, and their practice rink. The Capitals Rinks also has bleachers on one side for observing the on-ice activities. The other side has the commercial side with a small snack bar, pro shop, Capitals team store, and another rink. Both rinks are open to the public and are put to good use. They operate a in-house league for all skill levels and ages. Figure Skating, Freestyle, Dance, and Public sessions are also hosted. There is a 2nd level that has some open meeting space, observation deck of the rinks, and the pro  shop, while small, has everything needed for the skaters. It consists of mainly hockey gear with a great selection of skates, sticks, and gear needed for the game. Skate sharpening is available with traditional and FBV (Flat Bottom V) sharpening. Pricing is competitive with items available from on-line sources.

Now my favorite part was the Capitals team store. the team store was a bit larger than the pro shop and had almost everything a Capitals fan could want. Sorry Pen’s fans…..Nothing for you here. Hoodies, jackets, shirts, hat, and Jerseys galore. Jerseys could have been customized there if you did not find one on the rack. They had the current jerseys, winter classic versions, and old school style customized with some of the old players in mind. I almost walked out with the Peter Bondra jersey. Since I have started playing the game myself I was looking for a Cap’s practice jersey, but that was the one item I wanted that they did not carry. Oh well, I was still in heaven. I have never seen so many Capitals items all in one place. If my wife had not been there with me I would have put a serious hurting on my bank account. We managed to find a few things to bring back home.

So the next morning we decided to head home to Virginia Beach. I decided to stop back at Kettler for one more look. I didn’t realize it was Saturday and the place was packed. Once we got in we discovered that there was a Cap’s blood drive going on. We decided to give up some blood for a good cause. We were rewarded with a Capitals mascot, Slapshot, bobble-head and a T-shirt. Not to shabby. Made one last purchase at the team store and then it was back on the road for the trip home. We had a great time and Kettler made it even better.