Norfolk Drops The Penguins 4-1

From The Norfolk Admirals:

NORFOLK – Jay Rosehill and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond each had three-point nights, Jeff Deslauriers made 31 saves and Josh Brittain broke a 1-1 tie early in the third period as the Norfolk Admirals (19-23-2-1) defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (24-19-2-1), 4-1, on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The same teams play at Scope again tomorrow night.

Rosehill netted two goals, an assist and had a fight for the “Gordie Howe Hat Trick.” Letourneau-Leblond rung up a goal and two assists. Deslauriers (1-1-0) stopped 31of 32 shots for his first win as an Admiral, as Norfolk scored three unanswered goals in the third period.

Norfolk took a 1-0 lead 7:46 into the first period on Rosehill’s third goal of the season. After a strong forecheck behind the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton net, Letourneau-Leblond intercepted the puck along the right half wall. Letourneau-Leblond then sent the puck towards the net. Rosehill, who was stationed on top of the crease with his back to the goaltender, deflected the puck on his backhand between his legs and past Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender Brad Thiessen.

The Penguins tied the game late in the second period. From the right half wall in the Norfolk zone, an Admirals forward attempted to wrap the puck around the end boards to a teammate on the opposite side. However, the puck caromed off a stanchion back towards the slot. Warren Peters found the carom and sent a shot over Deslauriers’ left leg at 17:42 to tie the game at 1-1.

Norfolk entered the third period with a tied score for the third straight game. This time, they exited the period with the win. Just over three minutes into the final frame, Devante Smith-Pelly entered the attacking zone along the left wing. He sent a pass to Brittain, who was trailing the play in the high slot. Brittain sent a wrist shot past Thiessen at 3:02 for his sixth goal of the season and a 2-1 lead.

Norfolk’s lead doubled just over three minutes later. Rosehill forced a turnover along the right wing and spotted Letourneau-Leblond in the right circle. As he saw the puck coming towards him, Letourneau-Leblond spun around and one-timed the puck between the right arm and leg of Thiessen for his first goal as an Admiral at 6:07.

Less than three minutes later, Letourneau-Leblond started the scoring on Rosehill’s second goal by forcing a turnover in the right corner. Chris Wagner then spotted Rosehill all alone on top of the crease, and Rosehill sent a quick one-timer past Thiessen at 8:59 for his fourth goal of the season.

Rosehill finished the “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” when he dropped the gloves with Bobby Farnham just 26 seconds later.

Deslauriers made the lead stand with 12 saves in the third period alone, as he earned his first Norfolk win.

Thiessen (9-9-1) stopped 23 of 27 shots in defeat.

Both teams were 0-for-5 on the power play.

The same teams will face off tomorrow night at Scope at 7:15 p.m. before the Admirals embark on a four-game road trip.

Three Stars:
1. Jay Rosehill – NOR
2. Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond – NOR
3. Jeff Deslauriers – NOR

NOTES … The Admirals (2-1-0-0, 4 points) now lead the season series with the Penguins (1-1-1-0, 3 points) by one point … Rosehill’s last Gordie Howe Hat Trick and multiple-point game in the AHL came on November 7, 2010, as he posted a goal, an assist and two fights for the Toronto Marlies at Oklahoma City … No player has more goals or points for Norfolk since January than Josh Brittain, who has six goals and eight points in 15 games since joining the Admirals from the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets. Two of Brittain’s goals – including tonight’s – were game-winning tallies … Earlier today, the Danish National Team fell to Slovenia, 2-1, in the second game of their Final Olympic Qualification Tournament. With the win, Slovenia will claim Group F’s spot in the 2014 Sochi Olympics … Frederik Andersen, who is 9-10-1 in 23 games for the Admirals this season, posted a 1-1-0 record with one shutout, a 1.01 goals-against average and .960 save percentage in two games for Denmark during the final Olympic Qualification Tournament. Andersen leads all Group F goaltenders in GAA and SV% … Did not play: Gabe Guentzel, John Kurtz, Brandon McMillan, Troy Bodie, Matt Kennedy, Kyle Bushee.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 1 at Norfolk Admirals 4 – Status: Final
Friday, February 8, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

W-B/Scranton 0 1 0 – 1
Norfolk             1 0 3 – 4

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Rosehill 3 (Letourneau-Leblond), 7:46. Penalties-Samuelsson Wbs (slashing), 2:05; Letourneau-Leblond Nor (delay of game), 11:27; Parent Nor (boarding), 18:36.

2nd Period-2, W-B/Scranton, Peters 8   17:42. Penalties-Grant Wbs (interference), 2:47; served by Rosehill Nor (bench minor – too many men), 5:16; Guenin Nor (slashing), 10:05; Megna Wbs (hooking), 11:35; Wagner Nor (slashing), 15:18; Megna Wbs (charging), 18:42.

3rd Period-3, Norfolk, Brittain 6 (Smith-Pelly, Clark), 3:02. 4, Norfolk, Letourneau-Leblond 1 (Rosehill), 6:07. 5, Norfolk, Rosehill 4 (Wagner, Letourneau-Leblond), 8:59. Penalties-Farnham Wbs (fighting), 9:25; Rosehill Nor (fighting), 9:25; Kostopoulos Wbs (interference), 16:22.

Shots on Goal-W-B/Scranton 7-13-12-32. Norfolk 10-7-10-27.
Power Play Opportunities-W-B/Scranton 0 / 5; Norfolk 0 / 5.
Goalies-W-B/Scranton, Thiessen 9-9-1 (27 shots-23 saves). Norfolk, Deslauriers 1-1-0 (32 shots-31 saves).
A-5,267
Referees-Terry Koharski (10), Jeff Smith (49).
Linesmen-Tom George (61), Mark Hamlett (81).

Admirals Fall to The Phantoms 5-2

From the Norfolk Admirals:

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – The Adirondack Phantoms (18-21-2-1) scored three times in the third period as they defeated the Norfolk Admirals (18-22-2-1), 5-2, on Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Admirals saw their three-game winning streak end in the team’s first action after the All-Star Break.

Peter Holland added to his team-leading point total with a goal in his first game back from the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. Dan Sexton also scored for the Admirals, while Igor Bobkov (8-11-0) took the loss after stopping 22 of 26 shots.

Norfolk’s brief road trip concludes tomorrow in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with a 7:00 p.m. faceoff against the Sound Tigers. The Admirals return to Scope next week to face off against their East Division rivals, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, on Friday and Saturday nights.

Adirondack took a 1-0 lead midway through the first period with a power play goal. Erik Gustafsson sent a shot that was deflected by Matt Mangene past Bobkov at 13:11.

The Admirals tied the game at 1-1 late in the second period with a power play goal of their own. Norfolk entered the attacking zone with an odd-man rush. Holland sent a shot that Adirondack goaltender Brian Boucher stopped. Luca Caputi picked up the rebound to Boucher’s left and fed Holland in the slot. Holland scored his 13th goal and team-leading 32nd point of the season at 14:59.

The Phantoms re-claimed the lead less than three minutes later. Rob Bordson sent a shot from the right circle past Bobkov at 17:41.

However, the Admirals tied the game at 2-2 just 25 seconds later. Josh Brittain sent a pass from the right corner toward the slot. Sexton sent a quick shot past Boucher’s left leg at 18:06 for his second goal of the season.

Jason Akeson broke the tie with a power play goal 6:46 into the final frame. He sent a slap shot from the high slot through traffic that gave the Phantoms a 3-2 lead. Rob Bordson doubled Adirondack’s lead with a wrist shot from the right circle that made it 4-2 at 14:14. Shane Harper tallied into the empty net at 17:53 for the 5-2 final score.

Boucher (2-2-0) stopped 27 of 29 shots for the win.

Norfolk was 1-for-7 on the power play. Adirondack was 2-for-4.

Norfolk’s brief road trip concludes tomorrow in Bridgeport with a 7:00 p.m. faceoff against the Sound Tigers. All games can be heard on 102.1-FM, 1490-AM or 1021TheGame.com. You may also watch at AHLLive.com.

The next home action for the Admirals takes place on Friday and Saturday, February 8th and 9th against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The second Military Appreciation Night, presented by USAA, takes place on Friday, February 8th. Red Level Tickets (normally $19 on game nights) will be available for just $11 at the Norfolk Scope Box Office for all active or retired military, their dependents and reservists with valid military identification. Groups of 15 or more can purchase their Red Level Tickets for just $9 by contacting the Admirals Group Sales Office via phone at (757) 640-1212 ext. 23.

Due to inclement weather and the resulting traffic conditions, the Admirals announced that any unused tickets for the Friday, January 25th contest against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers will be honored for any remaining 2012-13 regular season game played at Norfolk Scope Arena (based upon ticket availability). These unused tickets may only be redeemed at the Norfolk Scope Box Office.

Three Stars:
1. Brian Boucher – ADK
2. Rob Bordson – ADK
3. Harry Zolnierczyk – ADK

NOTES … The Admirals have not been out-shot in their last seven games … Dan Sexton has points in five straight games (2g, 3a) – tied for the longest point streak by a Norfolk player this season (Peter Holland, Oct. 12-27, 2g, 4a) … Luca Caputi has two goals and three assists in four games since re-joining the Admirals from the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets … Since joining the Admirals from the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets on December 31st, Josh Brittain has five goals and seven points in 12 games. He is tied with Patrick Maroon (3g, 7pts, 11gp) for the most points since that time … Brayden Irwin, who was signed to a Professional Tryout Contract by Norfolk earlier in the day, made his Admirals debut and recorded two shots on goal … Did not play: Brandon McMillan, Troy Bodie, Nick Schaus, Jay Rosehill.

Norfolk Admirals 2 at Adirondack Phantoms 5 – Status: Final
Friday, February 1, 2013 – Glens Falls Civic Center

Norfolk        0 2 0 – 2
Adirondack 1 1 3 – 5

1st Period-1, Adirondack, Mangene 1 (Gustafsson, Johnston), 13:11 (PP). Penalties-Clark Nor (tripping), 4:05; Bordson Adk (hooking), 6:38; Smaby Nor (interference), 11:56; Eddy Adk (holding), 16:49.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Holland 13 (Caputi), 14:59 (PP). 3, Adirondack, Bordson 5 (Harper, Zolnierczyk), 17:41. 4, Norfolk, Sexton 2 (Brittain), 18:06. Penalties-Eddy Adk (hooking), 9:00; Zolnierczyk Adk (hooking), 14:24; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 18:23; Manning Adk (fighting), 18:23.

3rd Period-5, Adirondack, Akeson 7 (Noebels, Syvret), 6:46 (PP). 6, Adirondack, Bordson 6 (Zolnierczyk, Lauridsen), 14:14. 7, Adirondack, Harper 4 (Manning, Zolnierczyk), 17:53 (EN). Penalties-Brown Adk (charging), 0:22; Kurtz Nor (hooking), 6:14; Eddy Adk (holding), 8:13; Laliberte Adk (hooking), 13:21; Guentzel Nor (interference), 13:33.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 8-12-9-29. Adirondack 10-7-9-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 7; Adirondack 2 / 4.
Goalies-Norfolk, Bobkov 8-11-0 (25 shots-21 saves). Adirondack, Boucher 2-2-0 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-3,157
Referees-Pierre Lambert (39), Tim Mayer (19).
Linesmen-Jim Harper (59), Marty Demers (79).

Admirals Take Weekend Series Over Bridgeport.

The Norfolk Admirals started out the week down in Charlotte for a Sunday match-up with the Checkers. Rod Pelley got his first goal of the season and Netminder Jeff Deslauriers made his first appearance for the Admirals. Unfortunately for the Admirals Pelley’s goal was the only one of the night and Charlotte lit up Deslauriers for 6 goals. Needless to say the Admirals had a long and silent bus ride back to Norfolk.

Photo: John Wright

The Checkers provided the opposition for the Wednesday night game at Scope. Charlotte has had our number this season and have always been a tough competitor. This game however was all about the Admirals. Luca Caputi, Jay Rosehill and Dan Sexton all scored goals for the Admirals. Special teams were running at full steam. Two of the goals were scored on the power play and the Admirals stopped all seven of the Checkers power play opportunities. Igor Bobkov was in goal for the Admirals and only allowed one goal. The Admirals turned in a solid 3-1 Norfolk victory.

Photo: John Wright

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers rolled into town Friday night and they brought the snow with them. A very small crowd was on hand as the Admirals and Sound Tigers got down to business. Bridgeport was solid for the first two periods. The Sound Tigers held on to a 1 – 0 lead over Frederik Anderson and the Admirals into the third period. Norfolk would finally get on the board seven minutes into the third period. Dan Sexton put a shot on goal that was stopped, but Patrick Maroon swept in to clean up the garbage and tied the game up at 1 each. Four minutes later Maroon would force a turnover and send a pass to Josh Brittain. Brittain put the puck in the net for the Admirals 2-1 lead and the Admirals Victory.

Photo: John Wright

Saturday night at Scope had the Admirals and Sound Tigers back in action. Norfolk was riding high on two consecutive victories and wanted to go into the AHL All-Star break with another victory.The weather had calmed down some and the snow was melting away. There was the annual Guns and Hoses game for CHKD and that brought in a nice crowd for the Admirals game as well. Tonight was another solid performance for the Admirals. Emerson Etem turned in two goals and an assist. Luca Caputi chipped in a goal and two assists. Josh Brittain and Rod Pelley would contribute a goal each in a 5-0 Admiral victory. Frederik Anderson would stop all 23 Sound Tiger shots he faced.

Norfolk has the beginning part of the week off as the AHL All-Star game is being played in Providence. The Admirals return to action on the road Friday in Adirondak and on Saturday in Bridgeport. The next home action is Feb 8 and 9 against the WB/S Penguins.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1 at Norfolk Admirals 2 – Status: Final
Friday, January 25, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

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

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Campbell 2 (DeFazio, Landry), 1:13. Penalties-Nelson Bri (holding), 1:49; Gallant Bri (fighting), 5:32; Letourneau-Leblond Nor (fighting), 5:32; Combs Bri (delay of game), 16:27; McIver Bri (fighting), 19:21; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 19:21.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Gallant Bri (unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:18; Brittain Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:18; Brittain Nor (high-sticking), 8:38.

3rd Period-2, Norfolk, Maroon 12 (Sexton, Guentzel), 7:00. 3, Norfolk, Brittain 4 (Maroon), 10:39. Penalties-Halmo Bri (fighting), 3:38; Kennedy Nor (roughing, fighting), 3:38; Maroon Nor (interference), 16:02; Mitchell Nor (elbowing), 19:52.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 13-15-10-38. Norfolk 16-8-14-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 4; Norfolk 0 / 2.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Poulin 12-10-2 (38 shots-36 saves). Norfolk, Andersen 9-10-1 (38 shots-37 saves).

A-4,575
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Luke Murray (92), Mark Hamlett (81).

 

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 0 at Norfolk Admirals 5 – Status: Final
Saturday, January 26, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

Bridgeport 0 0 0 – 0
Norfolk       1 2 2 – 5

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Etem 11 (Maroon, Caputi), 6:11. Penalties-Kabanov Bri (slashing), 2:18; Cantin Bri (roughing), 3:49; Brittain Nor (roughing), 3:49; Cantin Bri (cross-checking), 7:40; Smaby Nor (interference), 18:50.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Caputi 3 (Etem, Vatanen), 7:30 (PP). 3, Norfolk, Brittain 5 (Sexton, Parent), 14:56. Penalties-Gallant Bri (unsportsmanlike conduct), 2:47; Wagner Nor (slashing), 3:45; McIver Bri (boarding), 7:04.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Etem 12 (Vatanen, Caputi), 12:47 (PP). 5, Norfolk, Pelley 2 (Letourneau-Leblond, Mitchell), 19:19 (PP). Penalties-Pelley Nor (holding), 0:26; DeFazio Bri (slashing, fighting, misconduct – continuing altercation), 11:26; Kennedy Nor (fighting), 11:26; McIver Bri (instigating, fighting, misconduct – instigating, game misconduct – aggressor), 11:35; Maroon Nor (roughing), 11:35; Brittain Nor (roughing), 13:19; Halmo Bri (high-sticking), 18:28.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 10-6-7-23. Norfolk 16-7-12-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 3; Norfolk 3 / 8.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Nilsson 7-10-0 (35 shots-30 saves). Norfolk, Andersen 9-10-1 (23 shots-23 saves).
A-7,574
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Luke Murray (92), Mark Hamlett (81).

I’d Like To Solve The Puzzle Pat…..Admirals Win!

The Admirals received some of their firepower back from the Ducks earlier this week. Would it be enough to bring them a victory? Well they took a spin on the wheel and solved the puzzle for Friday night. The visiting St. John’s IceCaps took them to the shootout, but Viktor Fasth, emerson Etem, and John Britain shut them down. Norfolk wins 3-2 in the shootout.

Pat Sajak and Brandon McMillan

The Admirals had a visit last night from Pat Sajak. The Wheel of Fortune star was in town with his son to catch a game. Sajak, who owns homes in Maryland and California, is a longtime season ticket holder for the Capitals and Kings. He had made plans to catch a game prior to the lockout ending. He picked a good time to come down. An Admirals AHL game last night and next week he can catch the Caps back at the Verizon Center.

Game Summary from the Norfolk Admirals:

January 18, 2013

Admirals Cap Comeback with Shootout Win

Photo: John wright

NORFOLK – Emerson Etem tied the game in the third period and Josh Brittain netted the winning goal in the shootout as the Norfolk Admirals (15-19-2-1) completed a comeback from a two-goal deficit to defeat the St. John’s IceCaps (16-20-1-2), 3-2, on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The same teams meet tomorrow night at Scope in the sixth annual Pink in the Rink to benefit the Tidewater Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Brittain also scored in regulation for the Admirals, giving him goals in three straight contests. Goaltender Viktor Fasth (1-1-0) stopped 20 of 22 shots through regulation and overtime before stopping all five shooters in the shootout for his first North American professional victory.

The IceCaps took a 2-0 lead in the first period on a pair of power play goals. Eric O’Dell opened scoring at 6:22 before former Admirals defenseman Richard Petiot doubled the St. John’s lead with his first goal of the season at 10:40.

Just before the midway mark of the second period, the crowd of 5,759 rose to their feet as Jay Rosehill dropped the gloves with Ryan Schnell. The fight helped Rosehill break the 1,000 career AHL penalty minutes mark, and gave the Admirals momentum, which they cashed in less than a minute later.

Brittain cut the St. John’s lead in half with his third goal of the season – and third goal in as many nights. He accepted a pass from Troy Bodie near the bottom of the left circle and sent a shot from a bad angle through the leg pads of IceCaps goaltender Eddie Pasquale. The goal at 9:01 of the second stanza cut St. John’s lead to 2-1.

Norfolk knotted the contest at 2-2 just under five minutes into the third period. Patrick Maroon entered the attacking zone along the left wing and sent a pass to Etem in the left circle while being knocked to the ice. Etem sent a feed towards the goalmouth that deflected off a St. John’s defender’s skate and behind Pasquale for Etem’s tenth goal of the season at 4:56.

Photo: John Wright

After a scoreless overtime, the game proceeded to a shootout. Brittain scored the only goal of the shootout in the top of the third round, and Fasth denied all five St. John’s shooters, as the Admirals earned a 1-0 edge in the shootout and the 3-2 decision in the game.

Eddie Pasquale (9-14-2) stopped 32 of 34 shots through regulation and overtime before preventing four of five shooters in the shootout from converting for the shootout setback.

Norfolk was 1-for-5 on the power play. St. John’s was 2-for-5.

The Admirals and Ice Caps square off again tomorrow night at Scope at 7:15 p.m. in the sixth annual Pink in the Rink to benefit the Tidewater affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure. For more details, visit norfolkadmirals.com.

Three Stars:
1. Emerson Etem – NOR
2. Josh Brittain – NOR
3. Richard Petiot – STJ

NOTES … Josh Brittain has goals in his last three games – his first three career Norfolk goals … Jay Rosehill now has 1,004 penalty minutes in his 352-game American Hockey League career between the Admirals, Springfield Falcons and Toronto Marlies … Rosehill ranks second all-time in AHL Admirals history with 491 penalty minutes in 148 games … Norfolk out-shot St. John’s, 35-22, enjoying its largest shot differential of the season (+13) … Did not play: Igor Bobkov, Garrett Klotz, Brandon McMillan, Matt Smaby, Matt Kennedy, Andrew Rowe, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond. 

St. John’s IceCaps 2 at Norfolk Admirals 3 (SO) – Status: Final SO
Friday, January 18, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

St. John’s 2 0 0 0 – 2
Norfolk      0 1 1 0 – 3

1st Period-1, St. John’s, O’Dell 9 (Mouillierat, Sawada), 6:22 (PP). 2, St. John’s, Petiot 1 (Sawada, Jaffray), 10:40 (PP). Penalties-Sol Stj (fighting), 2:05; Bodie Nor (fighting), 2:05; Petiot Stj (hooking), 2:45; Brittain Nor (cross-checking), 4:23; Huskins Nor (closing hand on puck), 8:42; Mouillierat Stj (holding the stick), 15:08; Melchiori Stj (interference), 16:59; Brittain Nor (holding), 19:02.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Brittain 3 (Bodie), 9:01. Penalties-Guenin Nor (slashing), 0:57; Schnell Stj (fighting), 8:33; Rosehill Nor (fighting), 8:33; Maxwell Stj (tripping), 18:22.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Etem 10 (Maroon, Huskins), 4:56 (PP). Penalties-O’Neill Stj (tripping), 4:15; Schaus Nor (tripping), 5:18.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – St. John’s 0 (Maxwell NG, O’Dell NG, Klingberg NG, Jaffray NG, Mouillierat NG), Norfolk 1 (Etem NG, Maroon NG, Brittain G, Lasch NG, Sexton NG).
Shots on Goal-St. John’s 7-6-7-2-0-22. Norfolk 9-11-10-4-1-35.
Power Play Opportunities-St. John’s 2 / 5; Norfolk 1 / 5.
Goalies-St. John’s, Pasquale 9-14-2 (34 shots-32 saves). Norfolk, Fasth 1-1-0 (22 shots-20 saves).

A-5,759
Referees-Jon McIsaac (45).
Linesmen-John Grandt (98), Mark Hamlett (81).

Different Day, Same Results…. Admirals Fall to Penguins

I almost had to buy a program to figure out who these Admirals were. The NHL is preparing to kick off its lockout shortened season and the AHL teams have been pillaged as training camps continue. Last nights roster had about 6 players that appeared on the Admirals opening night roster. The rest of the squad featured ECHL call ups and a fiesty goalie from the Swedish Elite League. The Ducks wanted to get Viktor Fasth some North-American game time with the Admirals. Fasth performed exceptionally well and did not look rusty at all. In fact it was actually pretty good game. The team skated well, passed well, but could not get any shots on Thiessen of the Penguins. Their failure to adapt to the game led to a 4-2 win for the Penguins.

From the Norfolk Admirals:

January 15, 2013

Penguins Slide by Admirals

NORFOLK – Goaltender Viktor Fasth made 25 saves in his North American professional debut, but the Norfolk Admirals (14-19-2-1) dropped a 4-2 decision the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (18-17-2-1) on Tuesday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.

Nick Schaus and Josh Brittain scored for the Admirals, who were out-shot in the contest, 29-13 – including 21-6 in the final two periods.

The Admirals host the St. John’s IceCaps on Friday and Saturday nights at Scope. Saturday’s game is the sixth annual Pink in the Rink to benefit the Tidewater Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Norfolk took a 1-0 lead 6:56 into the first period. After John Kurtz forced a turnover in the Norfolk zone, John Mitchell spotted Troy Bodie for a breakout pass. Bodie entered the attacking zone along the right wing and dropped a pass back to Schaus. The Norfolk defenseman sent a slap shot from the right point that eluded the glove of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender Brad Thiessen for Schaus’ first goal as an Admiral.

The Penguins tied the score at 1-1 with a five-on-three power play goal early in the second stanza. Alex Grant sent a slap shot from the left point. Riley Holzapfel, who was stationed on top of the goalmouth to Fasth’s left, deflected the shot past the netminder at 3:07.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took a 2-1 lead early in the third period off a pinball play. Holzapfel carried the puck into the Norfolk zone along the left wing and passed the puck toward the slot. The puck bounced in the air after a deflection by Grant, and a Norfolk defender attempted to bat the puck away from danger in the low slot. However, it deflected down to his feet, and Paul Thompson quickly shot it under the defender and Fasth to give the visitors the lead 4:49 into the third period.

The Admirals tied the game at 2-2 midway through the third period with a power play goal. Rod Pelley sent a backhand pass from the slot to Brittain in the left circle. Brittain corralled the puck and sent a wrist shot past Thiessen, stick-side, at 14:46 for his second goal of the season.

However, the Penguins responded with a power play goal of their own less than three minutes later. Grant sent a slap shot from the high slot through traffic and past Fasth at 17:10, giving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 3-2 lead.

Brian Gibbons added an empty-net goal with 28 seconds left for the Penguins.

Brad Thiessen (7-7-1) stopped 11 of 13 shots for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Norfolk was 1-for-5 on the power play. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 2-for-4.

Three Stars:
1. Alex Grant – WBS
2. Riley Holzapfel – WBS
3. Viktor Fasth – NOR

NOTES … Viktor Fasth was loaned to the Admirals by Norfolk’s NHL parent club, the Anaheim Ducks, earlier today. Fasth made his North American professional debut after earning back-to-back Swedish Elite League goaltender of the year awards in 2010-11 and 2011-12 … Norfolk’s 13 shots on goal were the fewest in a single game in AHL Admirals history, eclipsing the previous mark of 15 from April 11, 2009, at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton … Also earlier today, the Admirals signed forwards Brandon Marino and Jean-Michel Rizk to Professional Tryout Contracts. Both made their AHL debuts after starting the season with the Admirals’ ECHL affiliate, the Fort Wayne Komets … During the game, the Anaheim Ducks announced that they have signed forward Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond to a one-year, two-way contract. Letourneau-Leblond has appeared in 242 career AHL games between the Albany River Rats, Lowell Devils, Albany Devils and Abbotsford Heat, posting 18 goals and 39 points with 1,013 penalty minutes … Did not play: Ryan Hegarty, Sami Vatanen, Garrett Klotz, Brandon McMillan, Chris Wagner, Dan Sexton, Frederik Andersen, Jay Rosehill. 

The Admirals return to Scope on Friday and Saturday nights for a weekend series against the St. John’s Ice Caps. Saturday night is the sixth annual Pink in the Rink to benefit the Tidewater affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Special discounted fundraising tickets are available for a limited time, with $15 Red Level Tickets for sale through komentidewater.org, norfolkadmirals.com/groups and by calling the Komen Tidewater office. For more details, visit norfolkadmirals.com.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4 at Norfolk Admirals 2 – Status: Final
Tuesday, January 15, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

W-B/Scranton 0 1 3 – 4
Norfolk             1 0 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Schaus 1 (Bodie, Mitchell), 6:56. Penalties-Smith Wbs (fighting), 0:49; Kennedy Nor (fighting), 0:49; MacIntyre Wbs (elbowing), 3:09; Farnham Wbs (fighting), 19:37; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 19:37; Guentzel Nor (double minor – high-sticking), 19:56.

2nd Period-2, W-B/Scranton, Holzapfel 10 (Grant, Dumoulin), 3:07 (PP). Penalties-Bodie Nor (tripping), 2:17; Morrow Wbs (interference), 14:22; served by Payerl Wbs (bench minor – too many men), 16:35.

3rd Period-3, W-B/Scranton, Thompson 12 (Holzapfel, Grant), 4:49. 4, Norfolk, Brittain 2 (Pelley, Fasth), 14:46 (PP). 5, W-B/Scranton, Grant 1 (Dumoulin, Holzapfel), 17:10 (PP). 6, W-B/Scranton, Gibbons 5   19:32 (SH EN). Penalties-Smith Wbs (slashing), 13:19; Pelley Nor (roughing), 15:57; Holzapfel Wbs (delay of game), 18:19.

Shots on Goal-W-B/Scranton 8-10-11-29. Norfolk 7-3-3-13.
Power Play Opportunities-W-B/Scranton 2 / 4; Norfolk 1 / 5.
Goalies-W-B/Scranton, Thiessen 7-7-1 (13 shots-11 saves). Norfolk, Fasth 0-1-0 (28 shots-25 saves).

A-3,136
Referees-Fred Leblanc (30), Steve Patafie (85).
Linesmen-Kyle DeMaggio (97), Mike Sheehan (90).

Admirals Keeping Things Warm In The Cellar – NHL Returns to Action

Been awhile since my last post. Been busy with real life matters. Meanwhile the Norfolk Admirals continue to keep the cellar warm while the NHL open up camps and return to action next week.

When we last met the Admirals had just dropped a 0-3 match with the Syracuse Crunch on Friday (1/4/13). The Crunch provided the opposition the following night. The game was a much tighter game and the Admirals even had a chance to win. The key word was “HAD”. Things were not meant to be and Norfolk lost in overtime 3-4. After the loss the team had to take a trip down to Raleigh to take on the Charlotte Checkers at 1:30pm Sunday (1/6/13). Once again the Admirals played a pretty decent game, but the outcome remained the same. Norfolk dropped this game 1-3 to Charlotte.

Norfolk had some time off to get things together before heading up north for a Friday night match with the Syracuse Crunch. The Crunch and the Admirals played a tough match and  that ended up going to a shootout. Syracuse came out on top with a 3-2 win over the Admirals in front of the home crowd.

Saturday night in Binghamton saw a new look Admiral team. The NHL and NHLPA had finally settled things and were starting camps the next morning. The pillaging of the AHL had begun and Norfolk had to bring in some new faces. Anaheim had recalled Holland, Maroon, Smith-Pelly, Etem, Hendry, Guenin, and Palmieri. The Band-Aid Admirals, K-Mart Admirals, whatever you might want to call them were pounced upon early. The Senators struck for two goals in the first period. Josh Brittain and Ryan Lasch got Norfolk back into things in the second, but the Senators were to strong for them. Binghamton struck for two more and took home the 4-2 win.

Norfolk returns home for a rare Tuesday night game against the WB/S Penguins followed by a pair of games against the St. John’s IceCaps on Friday and Saturday. With the NHL getting back to business, the roster could change a bit more. One thing for sure is that some of these players will not return. Fortunately we are not the only team to be affected. The entire AHL is being hit. Once things settle down the AHL will return to being a developmental league for future NHL’rs. This could turn into a good thing for us. It’s time to get this ship back up and steaming forward. GO ADMIRALS!