Admirals Weekend Road Trip Round Up

This week was an Admiral-less week in the Norfolk area. With the Admirals on the road there were only a few ways for us to get our fix. For the die hard fans there was a nice road trip up to the snowy north. For most of us there was either AHL live or listening to Pete on the radio or internet stream. No matter how you may have got your fix you were able to keep up with the team and their successful road trip that saw them collect 5 of 6 possible points this weekend. The Admirals will return to Scope for a weekend series against the Providence Bruins. At Saturday’s game the Admirals will also the latest inductees to the Admirals Hall of Fame. Brian Martin and Marty Wilford will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.

Game Reports from the Norfolk Admirals:

 

Friday, Feb 15, 2013

Bobkov, Penalty Kill Lead Admirals to Victory

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, Penn. – Igor Bobkov made 32 saves, the penalty kill was perfect on eight chances and Brayden Irwin’s first goal of the season broke a scoreless tie in the third period as the Norfolk Admirals (21-24-2-1) topped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (25-21-2-1), 1-0, on Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Admirals registered a franchise-low 12 shots on goal in the contest, but Bobkov (10-13-0) turned aside all 32 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season.

The Admirals continue a four-game road trip tomorrow against the Connecticut Whale. They return to Norfolk Scope Arena on Feb. 22nd and 23rd against the Providence Bruins.

After both teams registered five shots in a scoreless first period, the Penguins out-shot the Admirals, 13-4, in the second period with help from five power play opportunities in the stanza. However, the game entered the third period with no score.

Irwin, who had been signed to his second Professional Tryout Contract of the season with Norfolk just yesterday, broke the scoreless stalemate 3:17 into the final frame. Sami Vatanen sent a shot from the right point that Penguins goaltender Jeff Zatkoff blocked. However, Irwin found the rebound in traffic in the low slot and slipped a shot under Zatkoff.

That was one of only three third-period shots for Norfolk, while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton sent 14 shots towards Bobkov. However, Bobkov came up with several huge saves to stifle the Penguins’ offense and earn the shutout.

Jeff Zatkoff (16-14-0) stopped 11 of 12 shots for the loss.

Norfolk was 0-for-3 on the power play. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 0-for-8.

Three Stars: 
1. Igor Bobkov – NOR
2. Brayden Irwin – NOR
3. Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond – NOR

Norfolk Admirals 1 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 0 – Status: Final
Friday, February 15, 2013 – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

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

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Smith Wbs (interference), 1:20; Sill Wbs (slashing), 6:08; Hendry Nor (holding), 15:14; Caputi Nor (tripping), 20:00.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Wagner Nor (tripping), 4:06; Letourneau-Leblond Nor (hooking), 8:03; Clark Nor (boarding), 12:38; served by Caputi Nor (bench minor – too many men), 14:50.

3rd Period-1, Norfolk, Irwin 1 (Letourneau-Leblond, Vatanen), 3:17. Penalties-Letourneau-Leblond Nor (holding), 6:21; Smith-Pelly Nor (roughing), 8:43; Smith Wbs (roughing, interference), 8:43; Clark Nor (fighting), 11:12; Payerl Wbs (fighting), 11:12; Pelley Nor (slashing), 19:58.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 5-4-3-12. W-B/Scranton 5-13-14-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 0 / 3; W-B/Scranton 0 / 8.
Goalies-Norfolk, Bobkov 10-14-0 (32 shots-32 saves). W-B/Scranton, Zatkoff 16-15-0 (12 shots-11 saves).

A-5,296
Referees-David Banfield (77), Ryan Murphy (5).
Linesmen-Scott Adams (20), Ryan Daisy (90).

 

Saturday, Feb 16, 2013

Admirals Fall in Overtime to Whale

HARTFORD, Conn. Igor Bobkov made 33 saves and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond scored his second goal of the season, but the Norfolk Admirals (21-24-3-1) saw former Admiral Brandon Segal score 2:08 into overtime as the Connecticut Whale (24-21-4-2) claimed a 2-1 decision on Saturday night at the XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Admirals have picked up standings points in all three games of their four-game road trip so far (2-0-1-0). Bobkov (10-14-0) has stopped 65 of 67 shots over his last two games.

The Admirals conclude their four-game road trip tomorrow afternoon against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. They return to Norfolk Scope Arena on Friday and Saturday against the Providence Bruins.

Norfolk took a 1-0 lead 15:42 into the first period. Sami Vatanen dumped the puck into the attacking zone along the right wing. Mat Clark passed it to Letourneau-Leblond in the right corner, and Letourneau-Leblond spun around from the bottom of the right circle while shooting the puck past Whale goaltender Cameron Talbot for his second goal of the season.

Connecticut tied the game at 1-1 late in the first period with a power play goal. Former Admirals defenseman Mike Vernace sent a centering feed to Logan Pyett in the high slot. Pyett sent a slap shot past Bobkov at 18:45.

Neither team scored for the remainder of regulation. In overtime, Norfolk’s Rod Pelley and Connecticut’s Kris Newbury were assessed coincidental roughing penalties, leading to three-on-three hockey. Nineteen seconds later, Segal took a pass from Sean Collins and scored 2:08 into overtime to give the Whale the 2-1 verdict.

Cameron Talbot (19-19-1) stopped 26 of 27 shots for the win.

Norfolk was 0-for-7 on the power play. Connecticut was 1-for-5.

Three Stars: 
1. Brandon Segal – CT
2. Cameron Talbot – CT
3. Igor Bobkov – NOR

Norfolk Admirals 1 at Connecticut Whale 2 (OT) – Status: Final OT
Saturday, February 16, 2013 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Norfolk         1 0 0 0 – 1
Connecticut 1 0 0 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Letourneau-Leblond 2 (Clark, Vatanen), 15:42. 2, Connecticut, Pyett 5 (Vernace, Mashinter), 18:45 (PP). Penalties-Collins Ct (boarding), 1:02; Brittain Nor (roughing), 9:25; Smith-Pelly Nor (hooking), 17:35.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Yogan Ct (high-sticking), 2:46; Mitchell Nor (fighting), 6:26; Haley Ct (instigating, fighting, misconduct – instigating), 6:26; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 9:09; McIlrath Ct (fighting), 9:09; McMillan Nor (tripping), 12:58; Pelley Nor (hooking), 16:24; Yogan Ct (hooking), 17:52.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Yogan Ct (interference), 2:53; Parent Nor (holding), 9:29; Pyett Ct (goaltender interference), 9:29; Collins Ct (hooking), 12:26.

OT Period-3, Connecticut, Segal 14 (Collins, Pyett), 2:08. Penalties-Pelley Nor (roughing), 1:49; Newbury Ct (roughing), 1:49.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 11-7-9-0-27. Connecticut 14-6-11-4-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 0 / 7; Connecticut 1 / 5.
Goalies-Norfolk, Bobkov 10-14-0 (35 shots-33 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 19-19-1 (27 shots-26 saves).

A-5,825
Referees-Trent Knorr (44), Chris Brown (86).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Derek Wahl (46).

Sunday, Feb 17, 2013

Admirals Close Road Trip with Comeback Victory

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Emerson Etem’s power play goal with 3:58 left in regulation tied the game and Mat Clark’s first goal of the season won it 1:57 into overtime as the Norfolk Admirals (22-24-3-1) closed out their four-game road trip with a 3-2 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (22-21-3-3) on Sunday night at Webster Bank Arena. Norfolk picked up standings points in all four games of the trip (3-0-1-0).

Devante Smith-Pelly also scored for the Admirals, while Jordan Hendry assisted on both the game-tying and game-winning goals. Goaltender Frederik Andersen (10-10-1) stopped 21 shots in his first game back since playing for Denmark during the Olympic Qualification Tournament. Norfolk peppered Bridgeport netminder Kevin Poulin (15-13-3) with 42 shots, as the Admirals out-shot the Sound Tigers, 42-23.

The Admirals return to Norfolk Scope Arena on Friday and Saturday nights against the Providence Bruins with the Admirals Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony taking place on Friday.

Norfolk took a 1-0 deficit into the first intermission after a Mike Halmo goal 8:03 into the first period. While on the power play, Smith-Pelly tied the game at 1-1 with his sixth goal of the season at 3:42 of the second period. However, Chad Costello gave the home team a 2-1 lead heading into the third period with an even-strength goal at 11:44 of the second stanza.

The Admirals used their eighth power play of the game to tie the game at 2-2, as Etem netted his 13th goal of the 2012-13 season at 16:02 of the third period.

Just under two minutes into overtime, a Clark found a Josh Brittain shot attempt and scored his first goal as an Admiral, as the visitors claimed the 3-2 win 1:57 into overtime.

Norfolk was 2-for-8 on the power play. Bridgeport was 0-for-2.

Three Stars: 
1. Kevin Poulin – BRI
2. Mat Clark – NOR
3. Chris Wagner – NOR

Norfolk Admirals 3 (OT) at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2 – Status: Final OT
Sunday, February 17, 2013 – Webster Bank Arena

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

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Halmo 2   8:03. Penalties-Niederreiter Bri (hooking), 5:03; Smaby Nor (interference), 9:01; Pelley Nor (cross-checking), 12:01; DeFazio Bri (tripping), 15:45.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Smith-Pelly 6 (Sexton), 3:42 (PP). 3, Bridgeport, Costello 2 (Watkins, Donovan), 11:44. Penalties-Halmo Bri (roughing), 1:46; Donovan Bri (boarding), 7:34; Watkins Bri (high-sticking), 7:57; Cantin Bri (tripping), 17:00.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Etem 13 (Vatanen, Hendry), 16:02 (PP). Penalties-Cantin Bri (boarding), 1:04; Irwin Nor (slashing), 11:44; Cantin Bri (high-sticking), 11:44; Donovan Bri (cross-checking), 14:56.

OT Period-5, Norfolk, Clark 1 (Brittain, Hendry), 1:57. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 13-15-13-1-42. Bridgeport 10-7-4-2-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 2 / 8; Bridgeport 0 / 2.
Goalies-Norfolk, Andersen 10-10-1 (23 shots-21 saves). Bridgeport, Poulin 15-13-3 (42 shots-39 saves).

A-3,852
Referees-Ryan Fraser (14).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Paul Simeon (66).

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).

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).

Two Nights, Two Victories – Admirals Over Bridgeport 4-1

From the Norfolk Admirals:

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Frederik Andersen made 32 saves and ten different players recorded points as the Norfolk Admirals (9-11-0-0) topped the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (10-9-0-1), 4-1, on Sunday evening at Webster Bank Arena. The Admirals won both games of their two-game road trip after topping the Bears last night in Hershey, 5-1. The Admirals and Bears will meet on Thursday night at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., in the Washington AHL Showcase, presented by GEICO.

Norfolk captain Nate Guenin had a goal and an assist while Peter Holland netted two assists for the Admirals. Norfolk also received goals from John Mitchell, Jordan Hendry and Kyle Palmieri.

Andersen improved his record to 6-5-0 with his second consecutive win. He finished the weekend with 61 saves on 63 shots.

Norfolk’s penalty kill was perfect for the second consecutive game, stopping all six of Bridgeport’s chances while killing all 15 opponent power plays over the weekend.

Brock Nelson netted the lone goal for the Sound Tigers while goaltender Anders Nilsson stopped 28 of 32 shots in defeat.

The Admirals built a 2-0 lead after one period. Mitchell opened scoring with his sixth goal of the season at 8:35, giving him goals in three consecutive games. Guenin netted his second goal of the season at 17:40.

The teams exchanged goals in the second stanza. Hendry netted his first goal of the season while the teams skated at three-on-three at 6:55. Nelson responded at 15:42 to get the Sound Tigers on the board.

Palmieri closed out scoring with a power play goal 1:19 into the final frame.

Norfolk was 1-for-8 on the power play. Bridgeport was 0-for-6.

Norfolk Admirals 4 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1 – Status: Final
Sunday, December 2, 2012 – Webster Bank Arena

Norfolk       2 1 1 – 4
Bridgeport 0 1 0 – 1

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Mitchell 6 (McMillan, Guenin), 8:35. 2, Norfolk, Guenin 2 (Smith-Pelly, Wagner), 17:40. Penalties-Smith-Pelly Nor (holding the stick), 4:12; Landry Bri (holding), 4:12; McIver Bri (hooking), 15:38; McMillan Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:18; Cantin Bri (unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:18.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Hendry 1 (Vatanen, Holland), 6:55. 4, Bridgeport, Nelson 9 (McDonald), 15:42. Penalties-Nelson Bri (hooking), 0:51; McIver Bri (holding), 5:33; Palmieri Nor (interference), 5:40; Guentzel Nor (holding), 6:19; Niederreiter Bri (boarding), 6:39; Gallant Bri (cross-checking), 10:54; Vatanen Nor (hooking), 11:11.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Palmieri 8 (Maroon, Holland), 1:19 (PP). Penalties-Cizikas Bri (charging), 0:41; Holland Nor (cross-checking), 4:29; Backman Bri (cross-checking), 7:21; Landry Bri (delay of game), 8:23; Schaus Nor (tripping), 12:37; Hendry Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:45; Vatanen Nor (roughing), 14:45; Cizikas Bri (roughing), 14:45.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 13-12-7-32. Bridgeport 6-15-12-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 8; Bridgeport 0 / 6.
Goalies-Norfolk, Andersen 6-5-0 (33 shots-32 saves). Bridgeport, Nilsson 4-3-0 (32 shots-28 saves).
A-3,104
Referees-Jean Hebert (43), Ryan Hersey (8).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Kevin Redding (16).

Admirals Open Road Trip with Loss in Bridgeport

From the Norfolk Admirals:

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Goals by Kyle Palmieri and Emerson Etem weren’t enough as the Norfolk Admirals (6-3-0-0) opened a four-game road trip with a 4-2 loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (6-3-0-0) on Wednesday morning from Webster Bank Arena. The Admirals will continue the road trip on Saturday night against the Binghamton Senators.

Norfolk netminder Frederik Andersen (3-2-0) took the loss with 22 saves. The Admirals out-shot the Sound Tigers, 30-26.

Bridgeport opened scoring 3:40 into the contest. Colin McDonald sent a wrist shot from the right half-wall that eluded Andersen for a 1-0 Sound Tigers lead.

Photo: John Wright

The Admirals tied the game at 1-1 just 49 seconds into the second stanza on a power play. After Peter Holland won a faceoff in the right circle, Palmieri skated the puck from the high slot into the right circle. He maneuvered around a defender and sent a wrist shot past the blocker of Sound Tigers goaltender Kevin Poulin for his fourth goal of the season.

Bridgeport re-claimed the lead with a power play goal of its own just over four minutes later. Johan Sundstrom sent a one-timer from the left faceoff circle past Andersen at 4:58 to give the home team a 2-1 lead.

Photo: John Wright

Norfolk tied the game at 2-2 just over four minutes later. Ryan Lasch carried the puck around a defender in the right circle. Just as he crossed the goal line in the right corner, Lasch sent the puck towards the goalmouth where Etem redirected it past Poulin. Etem’s third goal of the season came at 9:12 of the second period.

The Sound Tigers went ahead for good late in the second period off a turnover. Jon Landry picked off an Admirals pass and tried a shot that was blocked. Brock Nelson found the loose puck and sent a wrist shot from the left hashmarks past Andersen at 19:19 for a 3-2 Bridgeport lead.

Sound Tigers forward Nino Niederreiter closed out scoring in the contest at 15:34 of the final frame, as Bridgeport won the contest, 4-2.

Poulin stopped 28 of 30 shots to earn the win.

Norfolk was 1-for-5 on the power play. Bridgeport was 1-for-3.

The Admirals will continue a four-game road trip on Saturday night against the Binghamton Senators. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. All games can be heard on 102.1-FM, 1490-AM or 1021TheGame.com. You may also watch on a pay-per-view or season pass basis at AHLLive.com.

 

Norfolk Admirals 2 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4 – Status: Final
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 – Webster Bank Arena

Norfolk       0 2 0 – 2
Bridgeport 1 2 1 – 4

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, McDonald 2 (Hill), 3:40. Penalties-Bodie Nor (fighting), 6:19; Gallant Bri (fighting), 6:19; Riley Bri (tripping), 6:19; Watkins Bri (slashing), 13:23; Parent Nor (holding), 17:26.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Palmieri 4 (Holland), 0:39 (PP). 3, Bridgeport, Sundstrom 2 (Nelson, Persson), 4:58 (PP). 4, Norfolk, Etem 3 (Lasch, Andersen), 9:12. 5, Bridgeport, Nelson 5 (Landry), 19:19. Penalties-Niederreiter Bri (interference), 0:33; Lasch Nor (goaltender interference), 3:05; Donovan Bri (tripping), 6:52; Rosehill Nor (fighting), 9:54; Gallant Bri (fighting), 9:54.

3rd Period-6, Bridgeport, Niederreiter 6 (Backman), 15:34. Penalties-Landry Bri (hooking), 5:45; Hendry Nor (holding the stick), 10:58; Hendry Nor (fighting), 13:15; McDonald Bri (fighting), 13:15; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 19:40; Riley Bri (fighting), 19:40; Bodie Nor (fighting), 20:00; Gallant Bri (double minor – spearing (attempt, fighting, game misconduct – third major), fighting, game misconduct – third major), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 13-8-9-30. Bridgeport 9-7-10-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 5; Bridgeport 1 / 3.
Goalies-Norfolk, Andersen 3-2-0 (26 shots-22 saves). Bridgeport, Poulin 6-2-0 (30 shots-28 saves).

A-7,704
Referees-Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Mike Baker (11).