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 Drop Fifth Straight To The Whale 5-2.

Admirals continue to struggle. Offense and Defense is almost non-existent. A few questions that come to my mind are…..How long can this continue with the existing coaching staff? Where are the stars of this team and where is their contributions? What needs to be done to get this ship afloat and sailing on to victory?

From The Norfolk Admirals:

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Norfolk Admirals (7-10-0-0) lost their fifth consecutive game, falling to the Connecticut Whale (8-7-1-0), 5-2, on Saturday night at the XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Admirals return to Scope on Wednesday for their first game of the season against the Hershey Bears.

Chad Kolarik recorded a hat trick for the Whale. John Kurtz and Emerson Etem scored for Norfolk, while Frederik Andersen (4-5-0) stopped 33 of 37 shots. Norfolk is on a winless streak of five or more games for the first time since January 22 – February 3, 2011 (0-4-1-1).

Connecticut took a 1-0 lead just 2:40 into the game with a power play goal. Kolarik sent a shot from the left circle that Andersen stopped. However, Kolarik was able to swat his own rebound under the right leg of Andersen and into the net.

Norfolk briefly tied the game at 1-1 midway through the second stanza. Chris Wagner took a shot from the right circle that Whale goaltender Cameron Talbot kicked into the slot. Kurtz fired the rebound into the net past Talbot at 7:56 for his first goal as an Admiral.

However, the home team reclaimed the lead less than two minutes later. Logan Pyett sent a shot from the right point through traffic. The rebound emerged at the top of the goalmouth to Andersen’s left, where Kolarik was able to bat it past the goaltender’s leg and into the net at 9:28.

Kolarik completed the hat trick 1:04 into the third period. Marek Hrivik sent a shot from the right circle that Andersen stopped. However, the puck trickled behind him in the crease, and Kolarik tapped it into the net for a 3-1 Connecticut lead.

That lead grew to 4-1 just over one minute later. Tommy Grant accepted a pass from Kelsey Tessier in the right circle and sent a shot between Andersen’s legs at 2:18.

Norfolk closed its gap to two goals with Etem’s fourth goal of the season at 13:26. The rookie forward skated around a pair of Whale defenders in the left circle and rifled a shot past Talbot to make the score 4-2.

However, Kris Newbury scored into an empty net with 1:14 remaining in regulation for the 5-2 final score.

Talbot ended the game with 29 saves on 31 shots for the win.

Norfolk was 0-for-3 on the power play. Connecticut was 1-for-6.

The Admirals return to Scope on Wednesday in the first meeting of the season with the Hershey Bears. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. in the second Admirals Value Night of the season, with Family Fun Packs and Student Rush Night tickets available.

 

Norfolk Admirals 2 at Connecticut Whale 5 – Status: Final
Saturday, November 24, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Norfolk         0 1 1 – 2
Connecticut 1 1 3 – 5

1st Period-1, Connecticut, Kolarik 4 (Hrivik, Thomas), 2:40 (PP). Penalties-Kurtz Nor (interference), 2:21; Hrivik Ct (tripping), 10:56; Smaby Nor (cross-checking), 17:13.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Kurtz 1 (Wagner, Lindholm), 7:56. 3, Connecticut, Kolarik 5 (Hrivik, Pyett), 9:28. Penalties-Mitchell Nor (goaltender interference), 0:37; Mitchell Nor (boarding, fighting), 5:45; Segal Ct (instigating, fighting, misconduct – instigating), 5:45; Vernace Ct (closing hand on puck), 14:40.

3rd Period-4, Connecticut, Kolarik 6 (Hrivik, Newbury), 1:04. 5, Connecticut, Grant 7 (Tessier, Bourque), 2:18. 6, Norfolk, Etem 4   13:26. 7, Connecticut, Newbury 7   18:46 (EN). Penalties-Lindholm Nor (closing hand on puck), 6:27; Hendry Nor (boarding), 8:53; Kurtz Nor (roughing), 11:20; Vatanen Nor (misconduct – abuse of officials), 18:46; Holland Nor (fighting, game misconduct – secondary altercation), 19:11; Maroon Nor (fighting), 19:11; Miller Ct (fighting, game misconduct – secondary altercation), 19:11; Parlett Ct (major – charging, fighting, game misconduct – charging), 19:11.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 10-11-10-31. Connecticut 15-10-13-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 0 / 3; Connecticut 1 / 6.
Goalies-Norfolk, Andersen 4-5-0 (37 shots-33 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 7-4-0 (31 shots-29 saves).
A-5,041
Referees-Trevor Hanson (47).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Luke Galvin (2).

This Week In Admirals Hockey – A Look At The Week Ahead

 

People are going to be busy over the next few days with the Thanksgiving holidays. There are Turkeys to prepare, decorations to be put up, and shopping to be done. Lets not forget one other big component of the weekend. The Admirals have a game tonight against the Checkers.I hope to see a good crowd out at Scope tonight as Norfolk tries to get things back in order against a tough Checkers club.

 

From The Norfolk Admirals:

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Admirals look to get back to their winning ways as they play the Charlotte Checkers at home on Wednesday before embarking on a brief two-game road swing this weekend.

The Admirals returned to Scope following a four-game road trip last weekend. On Friday night, Patrick Maroon and Nate Guenin gave Norfolk a 2-1 lead, but Springfield’s Cam Atkinson scored twice in the second period and goaltender Curtis McElhinney stopped 36 of 38 Norfolk shots as the Falcons defeated the Admirals, 3-2. The next night, Chris Wagner and Peter Holland scored, but the Eastern Conference-leading Falcons skated away with a 5-2 victory.

The Admirals host the Western Conference-leading Charlotte Checkers in the first game of the GEICO Challenge Cup on Wednesday night at Scope. It is also the first Admirals Value Night of 2012-13, with Family Fun Packs and Student Rush Night tickets available. Norfolk returns to action after Thanksgiving with a pair of road games, visiting Adirondack Friday and Connecticut Saturday.

STANDINGS UPDATE 
At 7-7-0-0 (14 points), the Admirals are fourth in the East Division and tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference.

	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	SL
1	SPR	14	10	2	0	2	22
2	SYR	14	10	2	1	1	22
3	MCH	15	8	6	0	1	17
4	BRI	14	10	4	0	0	20
5	BNG	13	7	4	1	1	16
6	WBS	15	8	7	0	0	16
7	WOR	15	7	6	1	1	16
8	STJ	16	8	8	0	0	16
9	NOR	14	7	7	0	0	14
10	POR	15	6	7	1	1	14
11	CT	14	6	7	1	0	13
12	PRO	14	6	7	0	1	13
13	HER	15	6	8	1	0	13
14	ALB	13	4	5	0	4	12
15	ADK	14	6	8	0	0	12

Eight teams in each conference shall qualify for the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs. Following the conclusion of each team’s 76-game regular season, the three division winners in each conference will be seeded first through third (in order of regular-season points) and the next five best teams (in order of regular-season points) will be seeded fourth through eighth.

THE ADMIRALS’ WEEK AHEAD
Wed., Nov. 21 … vs. Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes) … 7:15 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 23 … at Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) … 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 24 … at Connecticut Whale (New York Rangers) … 7:00 p.m.

ADMIRALS’ LOG

• Norfolk has lost two straight and seven of its last ten games (3-7-0-0). After winning their first four home games, the Admirals have posted a 1-3-0-0 record at Scope in their last four home games.
• Good starts are critical to Norfolk’s success this season. The Admirals are 7-2-0-0 when scoring first and 4-1-0-0 when leading after one period this season. They are 0-5-0-0 when surrendering the game’s first goal and are 1-4-0-0 when trailing after one period this season.
• The Admirals’ penalty kill has stopped 16 of the last 18 opponent power plays (88.9%).
• Norfolk has allowed a shorthanded goal in four of its last five games.
• With two wins last weekend, Springfield doubled its franchise’s all-time regulation wins total at Norfolk Scope Arena. Norfolk is now 16-4-0-0-1 when playing the Falcons in Hampton Roads.
• The Admirals combined to score three goals in the first periods of last weekend’s two games against the Falcons. Entering the games, Springfield had allowed only three goals in the first period in their first 12 games.
• Friday’s game against Springfield was the first home of the season in which neither Kyle Palmierior Peter Holland registered at least one point. Palmieri (3g, 8a) and Holland (6g, 4a) now have points in seven of Norfolk’s eight home games this season.
• Holland (7g, 7a) leads Norfolk in both goals and points (14).
• Sami Vatanen (2g, 9a) leads the Admirals in assists and ranks third among AHL rookie defensemen in points. Vatanen also ranks third among all AHL rookies in assists.
• All three games the Admirals play this week are against teams outside of the East Division. Norfolk has played just three games (all against Binghamton) against East Division opposition in their 14 games this season.

SCOPING THE COMPETITION – SCOUTING REPORT FOR UPCOMING HOME GAMES

• The Admirals play the Charlotte Checkers on Wednesday night at Scope in the first of eight meetings this season. Charlotte is the NHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. This is Game 1 in the battle to win the GEICO Challenge Cup.
• The Checkers (11-3-0-2, 24 points) lead the South Division, Western Conference and overall AHL standings.
• Norfolk is 5-3-0-0 at home this season while Charlotte is 8-2-0-2 on the road. The Checkers began the season on a nine-game road trip (6-2-0-1).
• Charlotte is currently on a five-game point streak (4-0-0-1) and is 7-2-0-1 in its last ten games.
• The Checkers have the AHL’s third-best offense (3.63 goals per game) and fifth-best defense (2.44 goals against per game).
• Charlotte’s offense tends to awaken after the first period. In 16 games this season, Charlotte has just eight first period goals, but has 23 goals in the second period (T-1st in AHL) and 25 goals in the third period (1st in AHL).
• The Checkers are 5-0-0-0 when trailing after the first period and 3-1-0-0 when trailing after the second period. Only Charlotte, Abbotsford (3-1-0-0), Grand Rapids (3-0-0-1) and Syracuse (2-0-0-1) have winning records when trailing after the first period, while Charlotte joins Grand Rapids (3-0-0-0) as the only AHL teams to have a winning record when trailing after two periods.
• Charlotte has the top power play in the AHL (19/72, 26.4%) and the tenth-best penalty kill (10/71, 85.9%).
• Charlotte is the second least-penalized team in the AHL this season, averaging only 13.56 penalty minutes per game (217 PIM in 16 GP).
• Checkers forwards Drayson Bowman and Zach Boychuk are tied for the AHL lead with 10 goals. Four of Boychuk’s goals are game-winners (1st in AHL).
• Charlotte goaltender Dan Ellis ranks third in goals-against average (1.67) and save percentage (.947) in the AHL. His creasemate Justin Peters is tied for third in the AHL in wins (7).
• Among all AHL defensemen, Checkers blueliner Justin Faulk ranks second in points (15) and fourth in assists (12).
• There are no shared alumni between the current Norfolk and Charlotte rosters.
• Norfolk’s games against Charlotte are the only contests against Western Conference opposition this regular season.

NORFOLK LEADERS
Goals: Peter Holland (7)
Assists: Sami Vatanen (9)
Points: Peter Holland, Kyle Palmieri (14)
Games: Several (14)
PP goals: Patrick Maroon, Kyle Palmieri (3)
SH Goals: Troy Bodie, Chris Wagner (1)
+/- Rating: Nate Guenin (+8)
PIM: Troy Bodie (41)
GAA: Frederik Andersen (2.76)
Spct: Frederik Andersen (.915)
Wins: Frederik Andersen (4)
Losses: Igor Bobkov (4)
GPl: Frederik Andersen (9)
Minutes: Frederik Andersen (501)

CHARLOTTE LEADERS
Goals: Drayson Bowman, Zach Boychuk (10)
Assists: Justin Faulk (12)
Points: Zach Boychuk, Justin Faulk (15)
Games: Several (16)
PP goals: Drayson Bowman, Zach Boychuk (4)
SH Goals: Nicolas Blanchard, Chris Terry (1)
+/- Rating: Jerome Samson (+10)
PIM: Nicolas Blanchard (33)
GAA: Dan Ellis (1.67)
Spct: Dan Ellis (.947)
Wins: Justin Peters (7)
Losses: Dan Ellis (2)
GPI: Justin Peters (9)
Minutes: Justin Peters (505)

ADIRONDACK LEADERS
Goals: Brayden Schenn (8)
Assists: Brayden Schenn (9)
Points: Brayden Schenn (17)
Games: Several (14)
PP goals: Brayden Schenn (3)
SH Goals: Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn (1)
+/- Rating: Oliver Lauridsen (+5)
PIM: Marc-Andre Bourdon (55)
GAA: Scott Munroe (2.57)
Spct: Scott Munroe (.924)
Wins: Cal Heeter, Scott Munroe (3)
Losses: Cal Heeter, Scott Munroe (4)
GPI: Scott Munroe (8)
Minutes: Scott Munroe (443)

CONNECTICUT LEADERS
Goals: Several (5)
Assists: Kris Newbury (9)
Points: Kris Newbury (14)
Games: Several (14)
PP goals: Matt Gilroy, Kris Newbury (3)
SH Goals: Kyle Jean, Kris Newbury (1)
+/- Rating: Sam Klassen (+3)
PIM: Kris Newbury (48)
GAA: Cameron Talbot (2.30)
Spct: Cameron Talbot (.931)
Wins: Cameron Talbot (5)
Losses: Cameron Talbot (4)
GPI: Cameron Talbot (9)
Minutes: Cameron Talbot (495)

Special Teams Shine In Admirals 6-3 Win Over The Whale.

The Norfolk Admirals (4-0-0-0) special teams shined tonight with a 6-3 win over the Connecticut Whale (0-3-1-0). The Admirals scored three power play goals and two shorthanded goals in the contest. The Admirals now hit the road starting off with a weekend series in St. John’s against the IceCaps next Saturday and Sunday.

The Admirals started things off early when Chris Wagner and Troy Bodie worked their offensive magic and put the Admirals on the board first. With the Admirals killing a penalty Wagner caused a turnover in the neutral zone. Troy Bodie took the puck and skated in shorthanded. Bodie skated past a Whale defender and cut in front of the crease and shot the puck past the glove hand of Whale goalie Scott Stajcer at 4:33 of the first period. Less than four minutes later Sami Vatanen took a pass from Peter Holland and sent a one-timer past Stajcer at 8:03 for an Admiral power play marker. This was Vatanen’s first professional goal. Connecticut got on the scoarboard eight minutes later on a Kyle Jean goal at the 16:00 minute mark cutting Norfolk’s lead to 2-1.

The Admirals opened up the second period with a power play. The hero of last nights game, Corey Elkins, sent a pass to Ryan Lasch in the right circle. Lasch would then shoot the puck over the shoulder of the Whale goalie for his first AHL goal and give Norfolk the 3-1 lead. Connecticut answered back five minutes later when Kris Newbury skated in and passed to Christian Thomas. Thomas would then shoot the puck past Admirals goalie Frederik Andersen at 5:31.Andersen on a two-on-one break. Kris Newbury fed Christian Thomas in the slot, and Thomas sent a shot past the blocker of Andersen at 5:31. Late into the second period the Admirals found themselves shorthanded. Troy Bodie won a faceoff in the Admirals zone. Bodie took the puck and batted it past a Whale defender. He recovered  the puck and skated into the Connecticut zone and passed to Chris Wagner. Wagner received the puck and skated in on Stajcer and backhanded it past the goalie at 18:08 for his first professional goal. Both teams headed into the locker room with a 4-2 Norfolk lead.

The third period started off in favor of the Whale. Connecticut would score at the 35 second mark on a Chad Kolarik goal from the right faceoff circle to make the score 4-3 Admirals. Next up were the Admirals when Patrick Maroon scored a power play goal on the rebound of a Sami Vatanen shot at 13:42. Kyle Palmieri closed out scoring with 45 seconds remaining with an even strenght goal to give the Admirals a 6-3 vistory.

The Admirals hit the road for the first time this season. They will visit the St. John’s IceCaps for a pair of games next weekend. Saturday’s game will start at 6:00 p.m. EDT and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. EDT. If you want to watch the game you can find it at AHLLive.com. The next home game will be November 2 and 3 against the Binghamton Senators.

Connecticut Whale 3 at Norfolk Admirals 6 – Status: Final
Saturday, October 20, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Connecticut 1 1 1 – 3
Norfolk         2 2 2 – 6

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Bodie 2 (Wagner), 4:33 (SH). 2, Norfolk, Vatanen 1 (Holland, Palmieri), 8:03 (PP). 3, Connecticut, Jean 3 (Collins, Segal), 16:00. Penalties-Guentzel Nor (holding), 0:40; Hendry Nor (boarding), 2:44; Vernace Ct (interference), 6:11; Collins Ct (hooking), 6:58; McMillan Nor (slashing), 16:23; Newbury Ct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 17:20; Wagner Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 17:20; Miller Ct (cross-checking), 18:56.

2nd Period-4, Norfolk, Lasch 1 (Elkins, Lindholm), 0:29 (PP). 5, Connecticut, Thomas 1 (Newbury), 5:31. 6, Norfolk, Wagner 1 (Bodie, Guenin), 18:08 (SH). Penalties-Jean Ct (tripping), 1:24; Segal Ct (boarding), 5:57; Vernace Ct (fighting), 5:57; Bodie Nor (double minor – head-butting (attempt, fighting), fighting), 5:57; Newbury Ct (slashing), 7:01; Maroon Nor (cross-checking), 7:01; Yogan Ct (slashing), 9:36; Miller Ct (tripping), 15:35; Lindholm Nor (holding the stick), 16:40; Andersen Nor (interference), 19:53.

3rd Period-7, Connecticut, Kolarik 1 (Pyett, Newbury), 0:35 (PP). 8, Norfolk, Maroon 3 (Vatanen, Palmieri), 13:42 (PP). 9, Norfolk, Palmieri 2 (Holland, Guenin), 19:15. Penalties-Kreider Ct (high-sticking), 11:41; Gilroy Ct (slashing), 12:57; Bodie Nor (elbowing), 15:04.

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 14-16-5-35. Norfolk 10-12-9-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 1 / 7; Norfolk 3 / 8.
Goalies-Connecticut, Stajcer 0-2-0 (31 shots-25 saves). Norfolk, Andersen 2-0-0 (35 shots-32 saves).

A-4,085
Referees-T.J. Luxmore (49).
Linesmen-Mark Hamlett (81), Luke Murray (92).

Corey Elkins OT Goal Lifts The Admirals Over The Whale 5-4.

Corey Elkins provided the bulk of the Norfolk offense Friday Night. Elkins scored two in regulation and the game winner with less than 30 seconds remaining in OT to help lift the Admirals over the Whale.

Norfolk would jump out to an early lead as Elkins stole the puck from Connecticut defenseman Matt Gilroy and sent the puck to the back of the Whale net at 1:02. The lead would not hold for long as Gilroy answered back with a goal of his own that beat Igor Bobkov at 2:55. The score remained 1-1 until the halfway point of the first period. Elkins would get goal number two of thenight while both teams skated at four aside. Sami Vatanen stole the puck in the Whale zone and passed to Nate Guenin, Guenin returned the puck to Vatanen who found Elkins in the right slot. Elkins would lift the puck over Whale goalie Jason Missiaen at 9:47.

The Whale came back and tied the game at 2-2 halfway through the second period. Matt Gilroy would get his second power play goal of the game. Kyle Jean fed a pass to Gillroy who then sent a shot through a screen and into the Admiral net at 9:13. Norfolk answered back three minutes later with a goal from Jay Rosehill at 12:02. Two minutes later Sami Vatanen and Kyle Palmieri would assist on a Peter Holland power play goal to give Norfolk a 4-2 lead at 14:16.

The third period was all Connecticut Whale. Former Calder Cup Admiral Brandon Segal scored a pair of goals to tie the game up at 4 goals each. Segal would get his first goal a 4:03 and followed up with the second with 1:36 remaining in regulation. The Admirals were unable to regain the lead and this game went to overtime.

The overtime period was a defensive battle and it seemed that the game wold go to  a shootout. Ryan Lasch took the puck from behind the net and passed to Vatanen in the left circle. Vatanen passed the puck to Elkins in the right circle. Elkins burried the puck behind Missianen at 4:30 for the hat trick and the Admiral 5-4 win.

Norfolk and Connecticut will meet again Saturday night at Scope. Game time is at 7:15 p.m. Don’t forget that ODU will play Northern Virginia Community College at 2:00 p.m. Your ticket to the Admirals game get you in to see both games.

Connecticut Whale 4 at Norfolk Admirals 5 (OT) – Status: Final OT
Friday, October 19, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Connecticut 1 1 2 0 – 4
Norfolk         2 2 0 1 – 5

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Elkins 1   1:02. 2, Connecticut, Gilroy 1 (Kolarik, Newbury), 2:55 (PP). 3, Norfolk, Elkins 2 (Vatanen, Guenin), 9:47. Penalties-Rosehill Nor (hooking), 2:32; Palmieri Nor (cross-checking), 8:57; Kolarik Ct (hooking), 9:01; McMillan Nor (tripping), 17:17.

2nd Period-4, Connecticut, Gilroy 2 (Jean, Newbury), 9:13 (PP). 5, Norfolk, Rosehill 1 (Wagner, Bodie), 12:02. 6, Norfolk, Holland 2 (Palmieri, Vatanen), 14:16 (PP). Penalties-Kreider Ct (major – boarding, game misconduct – boarding), 3:58; Vernace Ct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 3:58; Hendry Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 3:58; Bobkov Nor (delay of game – restricted area), 8:14; Parlett Ct (tripping), 9:49; Haley Ct (kneeing), 13:37; Mitchell Nor (holding the stick), 14:57.

3rd Period-7, Connecticut, Segal 1 (Miller, Vernace), 4:03. 8, Connecticut, Segal 2 (Jean, Vernace), 18:24. Penalties-Tessier Ct (interference), 2:04; Smith-Pelly Nor (interference), 2:46; Gilroy Ct (slashing), 7:39; Wagner Nor (tripping), 10:29.

OT Period-9, Norfolk, Elkins 3 (Vatanen, Lasch), 4:30. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 6-13-8-3-30. Norfolk 11-6-9-3-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 2 / 7; Norfolk 1 / 6.
Goalies-Connecticut, Missiaen 0-2-0 (29 shots-24 saves). Norfolk, Bobkov 2-0-0 (30 shots-26 saves).

A-3,511

Referees-T.J. Luxmore (49), Fred Leblanc (30).
Linesmen-Mark Hamlett (81), Luke Murray (92).

Hockey Night In Hampton Roads – Admirals Vs. Connecticut Whale

By Ken Peacock

Here we are in the second week of the AHL season. While the NHL and NHLPA go back and forth bickering and not producing results, our Norfolk Admirals concentrate on playing hockey. Tonight we will see the Connecticut Whale venture onto the ice at Scope. This will also see the return of former Admirals Brandon Segal and Mike Vernace. Segal is the first player from the Calder Cup championship squad to return to Norfolk and will get to see the banner hanging from the rafters of Scope.

Brandon Segal Photo: CT Whale

The Whale come into town with a 0-2 record. Connecticut opened up the season at home last Friday night against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Sound Tigers scored six straight and beat the Whale 6-4. Sunday the Whale took on the St. John’s IceCaps. Once again they jumped out to an early lead, but the IceCaps came back for a 3-2 win. Connecticut is lead by Kris Newbury with 3 goals in 2 games, while rookie Kyle Jean has 2 goals.

This is the only time we will see the Whale in Norfolk unless the playoffs dictate otherwise. Connecticut is getting their longest bus trip out of the early. The last time the Admirals and the Whale saw each other was in the playoffs last year. The Whale lost to the Admirals in the six game Eastern Conference Semifinals. Connecticut was 0-3-0-1 in the regular season. Two of those losses were at Scope.

The Action starts tonight at Scope at 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. There are plenty of tickets available so get yours today.

Find out more about the opposition here at The Connecticut Whale Official Website.

Join in on the game day talk over at AdmiralsZone. View the game day threads here today.