Admirals Sweep Albany In Weekend Series At Scope

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

From the Norfolk Admirals:

Friday 12/21/12

Special Teams and Goaltending Key in Admirals Victory

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albany 0 0 1 – 1
Norfolk 2 0 0 – 2

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday 12/22/12

Etem Plays the Hero as Admirals Vanquish Devils

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Admirals Close Out Road Trip With 5-4 Shootout Win In Albany

The Admirals closed out their 4 game road trip with a 5-4 win over Albany yesterday afternoon. It took some extra time and a shoot out to do it, but a win and the 2 points goes into the books. The Admirals have returned home and are preparing for a Friday and Saturday night match up against the Springfield Falcons.

From the Norfolk Admirals:

ALBANY, N.Y. – Patrick Maroon scored in the bottom of the fifth round of the shootout as the Norfolk Admirals (7-5-0-0) closed out their four-game road trip with a 5-4 victory over the Albany Devils (3-5-0-3) on Monday afternoon at the Times Union Center. The Admirals, who finished the road trip 1-3-0-0, return to Scope to square off against the Springfield Falcons on Friday and Saturday nights.

Photo: Paul Buckowski / Times Union

Kyle Palmieri scored twice, Luca Caputi and Peter Holland each recorded a goal and an assist, and Sami Vatanen had two helpers for the Admirals. Frederik Andersen (4-2-0) stopped 39 of 43 shots through regulation and overtime and stopped four of five shooters in the shootout to earn the victory in net.

Norfolk took a 1-0 lead 13:27 into the first period. Caputi tried to send a pass from the left circle to a teammate in the right circle. However, the pass deflected off the stick of an Albany defender in the low slot. The puck then trickled into the net between the legs of goaltender Jeff Frazee for Caputi’s first goal as an Admiral.

The Devils tied the game at 1-1 less than two minutes later. Steve Zalewski cut through the right circle and threw the puck towards the goalmouth. The puck deflected off the stick of Albany forward Chad Wiseman and into the net at 15:25.

Albany took a 2-1 lead 8:24 into the second period with a two-on-one break. Zalewski sent a pass from the left circle to Tim Sestito in the right circle, and Sestito sent a backhander past Andersen.

Norfolk tied the game at 2-2 just 32 seconds into the third period. Devante Smith-Pelly won a puck battle behind the Albany net and centered a pass into the low slot. Holland one-timed the puck over the glove of Frazee for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Less than two minutes later, Albany’s Jay Leach (hooking) and Jacob Josefson (roughing) were whistled for penalties at the same time, giving the Admirals a five-on-three power play. It took just three seconds for Palmieri to put the Admirals ahead, 3-2. Holland won the faceoff and Maroon tipped the puck back to Palmieri at the right point. Palmieri one-timed it past Frazee at 2:12.

Norfolk’s lead doubled 59 seconds later on Palmieri’s second power play goal of the period. Caputi sent a feed from the left corner to Palmieri in the left circle, and Palmieri sent a shot over Frazee’s left shoulder for a 4-2 lead at 3:11. With the goal, Palmieri tied Holland for the team lead in goals with his sixth of the season.

Albany closed to within one of the Admirals with a shorthanded goal less than ten minutes later. Matt Anderson found a loose puck in a goalmouth scramble and shoveled it into the net at 12:43.

The Devils tied the game at 4-4 with 3:27 remaining in regulation. Adam Larsson sent a slap shot from the right point that eluded the blocker of Andersen.

Norfolk had two chances to win the game after an Adam Henrique goaltender interference penalty 3:57 into overtime. However, Vatanen hit the crossbar and Maroon was stopped by Frazee in the waning moments of overtime, sending the game to a shootout.

After two scoreless rounds, both Albany’s Joe Whitney and Holland scored in the third round of the shootout. Neither team scored in the fourth round, and Andersen stopped Devils defenseman Larsson in the top of the fifth round. In the bottom of the fifth round, Maroon sent a backhand shot between the legs of Frazee and into the net to give Norfolk a 2-1 decision in the shootout and a 5-4 victory in the game.

Frazee made 31 saves on 35 shots through regulation and overtime before allowing two conversions on five attempts for the shootout setback.

Norfolk was 2-for-9 on the power play. Albany was 0-for-3.

The Admirals return to Scope to host the Springfield Falcons on Friday and Saturday nights. The puck drops on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Saturday’s game is Diabetes Awareness Night. Special discounted fundraising tickets are available to benefit the EVMS Strelitz Diabetes Center. These tickets are only available at norfolkadmirals.com/groups through Thursday.

Don’t miss a minute of Admirals action by purchasing your season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals’ Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime.

Three Stars:
1. Kyle Palmieri – NOR
2. Matt Anderson – ALB
3. Luca Caputi – NOR

NOTES … Norfolk won its first game of the season when it trailed entering the third period (1-5-0-0) … The Admirals have won all three overtime games played this season (one overtime win and two shootout wins) … Norfolk improved to 7-1-0-0 when scoring the game’s first goal. The Admirals are 0-4-0-0 when surrendering the first goal of the game … Norfolk scored three goals in the third period despite taking only six shots in the period … Peter Holland has scored on both of his shootout attempts this season … Luca Caputi (1g, 4a) has points in three of the last four games he has played … Holland (6g), Kyle Palmieri (6g) and Patrick Maroon (5g) give Norfolk three players with five or more goals this season – one of only eight AHL teams (five in the Eastern Conference) with three or more 5+ goal scorers … Garrett Klotz made his Norfolk debut … Did not play: Jordan Hendry, John Kurtz, John Mitchell, Matt Smaby, Nick Schaus, Jay Rosehill.

Norfolk Admirals 5 (SO) at Albany Devils 4 – Status: Final SO
Monday, November 12, 2012 – Times Union Center

Norfolk 1 0 3 0 – 5
Albany  1 1 2 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Caputi 1 (Lasch), 13:27. 2, Albany, Wiseman 2 (Zalewski, Urbom), 15:25. Penalties-Whitney Alb (hooking), 4:08; Sestito Alb (tripping), 4:55; Wiseman Alb (slashing), 9:46; Holland Nor (hooking), 10:00; McMillan Nor (high-sticking), 19:40.

2nd Period-3, Albany, Sestito 1 (Zalewski, Burlon), 8:24. Penalties-Henrique Alb (cross-checking), 4:02; Bodie Nor (hooking), 6:50; Pesonen Alb (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:31.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Holland 6 (Smith-Pelly), 0:32. 5, Norfolk, Palmieri 5 (Vatanen, Holland), 2:12 (PP). 6, Norfolk, Palmieri 6 (Caputi, Vatanen), 3:11 (PP). 7, Albany, Anderson 3 (Josefson), 12:43 (SH). 8, Albany, Larsson 1 (Urbom, Wiseman), 16:33. Penalties-Josefson Alb (roughing), 2:08; Leach Alb (hooking), 2:08; Sestito Alb (elbowing, misconduct – unsportsmanlike conduct), 12:24; Klotz Nor (roughing), 16:28; Henrique Alb (roughing), 16:28.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Henrique Alb (goaltender interference), 3:57.

Shootout – Norfolk 2 (Palmieri NG, Caputi NG, Holland G, Lasch NG, Maroon G), Albany 1 (Anderson NG, Butler NG, Whitney G, Josefson NG, Larsson NG).
Shots on Goal-Norfolk 10-14-6-5-1-36. Albany 13-12-13-5-0-43.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 2 / 9; Albany 0 / 3.
Goalies-Norfolk, Andersen 4-2-0 (43 shots-39 saves). Albany, Frazee 2-1-2 (35 shots-31 saves).
A-2,638
Referees-Jean Hebert (43), T.J. Luxmore (49).
Linesmen-John Grandt (98), Kiel Murchison (79).

Admirals 5-1 Victory Over Albany Moves The Streak To 26.

Photo: Cindy Schultz - Albany Times Union)

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Norfolk Admirals (53-18-1-2) received goals by five different skaters as they defeated the Albany Devils (30-33-6-5), 5-1, on Friday night at the Times Union Center. The victory is Norfolk’s 26th consecutive victory and also sets an Admirals’ franchise record with 109 standings points.

The Admirals’ close out the regular season with a visit to Binghamton on Saturday night before traveling to Adirondack on Sunday evening.

Trevor Smith, Michel Ouellet, Evan Oberg, Brandon Segal and Philip-Michael Devos scored for the Admirals while Keith Aulie posted two assists in his Admirals debut. Jaroslav Janus (22-8-2) turned aside 20 of 21 shots for his 14th consecutive victory.

Photo: James DiBianco

Norfolk opened the scoring with five unanswered goals, including three goals in the opening period. After collecting a pass, Smith broke in all alone on Devils’ netminder Keith Kinkaid. From in between the hash marks, Smith snapped a shot over the glove of the rookie goaltender for his 25th goal of the season at 2:55.

Less than five minutes later, Ouellet’s 16th goal of the season stretched the Admirals lead to 2-0. In his first game as an Admirals’ uniform, Aulie tipped a pass from behind the Devils’ net out front to Ouellet. From just below the left faceoff circle, Ouellet chipped the pass over the left shoulder of Kinkaid at 7:17 of the first.

Norfolk tripled their lead with less than three minutes remaining in the first period. From along the Devils net, Johnson slipped a pass into the lower slot to Oberg. The pinching defenseman collected the pass and sent a shot off the stick of Kinkaid and under the goaltender to extend the Admirals’ lead to 3-0 with his sixth goal of the season at 17:29 of the opening 20 minutes.

Photo: John Wright

The Admirals expanded on their lead just over five minutes into the middle frame. From the left faceoff circle, Picard sent a cross-crease pass to the backside of Kinkaid. Before the goaltender could recover, Segal tapped in his 17th goal of the season to Norfolk in front 4-0 at 5:17.

The visitors’ lead strengthened to 5-0 on Devos’ seventh goal of the season. This time, Aulie found Devos standing on the glove side of Devils’ netminder Jeff Frazee. Aulie fed Devos a pass, who tucked the puck behind Frazee at 7:07 of the third period.

Albany broke the shutout bid with a power play goal by Vladimir Zharkov. While skating on their fifth power play of the night, Zharkov’s shot from the right faceoff circle deflected behind Janus as the Admirals lead narrowed to 5-1 at 14:13 of the final period.

Neither team scored in the final five minutes of play as the Admirals skated away with the 5-1 victory, their 26th victory in a row.

Kinkaid (17-20-3) finished the night with 13 saves on 17 shots before exiting midway through the second period. Frazee (11-19-2) made eights saves in 31 minutes of action and did not record a decision.

Norfolk was scoreless on four power play chances. Albany was 1 for 5 with the man advantage.

Norfolk Admirals 5 at Albany Devils 1 – Status: Final
Friday, April 13, 2012 – Times Union Center

Norfolk 3 1 1 – 5
Albany  0 0 1 – 1

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Smith 25 (Segal), 2:55. 2, Norfolk, Ouellet 16 (Aulie), 7:17. 3, Norfolk, Oberg 7 (Palat, Johnson), 17:29. Penalties-Cote Nor (tripping), 12:43; Gelinas Alb (tripping), 12:58.

2nd Period-4, Norfolk, Segal 17 (Picard, Kostka), 5:17. Penalties-Johnson Nor (slashing), 10:14; Cote Nor (hooking), 14:21; Segal Nor (tripping), 18:20.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Devos 7 (Aulie, Ouellet), 7:07. 6, Albany, Zharkov 16 (Gelinas, Perkovich), 14:13 (PP). Penalties-Zalewski Alb (double minor – high-sticking), 2:21; Gudas Nor (roughing), 5:39; Mills Alb (roughing), 5:39; Zharkov Alb (goaltender interference), 9:03; Cote Nor (charging), 13:07; Gudas Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 19:17; Zajac Alb (unsportsmanlike conduct), 19:17.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 13-7-6-26. Albany 7-7-7-21.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 0 / 4; Albany 1 / 5.
Goalies-Norfolk, Janus 22-8-2 (21 shots-20 saves). Albany, Kinkaid 17-20-3 (17 shots-13 saves); Frazee 11-19-2 (9 shots-8 saves).

A-2,481
Referees-Ryan Hersey (46).
Linesmen-Robert St. Lawrence (10), Mike Emanatian (69).

Twenty Wins In A Row…….Tokarski And The Admirals Down The Devils 4-3

- John Wright / Norfolk Admirals

NORFOLK, Va. – Dustin Tokarski made 34 saves to earn his Admirals-record 76th career win as the Norfolk Admirals (47-18-1-2) defeated the Albany Devils (28-28-6-5), 4-3, on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. With the victory, Norfolk built on their professional hockey record with their 20th consecutive win.

The Admirals continue their final homestand of the season on Wednesday and Friday nights against the St. John’s IceCaps at Scope.

Norfolk has now won 20 consecutive games since February 10, 2012, vaulting into first place in the entire American Hockey League. The Admirals have not lost a game since a 4-2 road setback to the Springfield Falcons on Super Bowl Sunday on February 5, 2012.

Dustin Tokarski (28-11-0) stopped 34 of 37 shots as he stretched his personal winning streak to nine games and recorded his 76th career victory as an Admiral. The win moved Tokarski (76-56-7) past Michael Leighton (75-52-17) for first place on the Admirals’ all-time wins list.

- Ross Taylor / The Virginian-Pilot

Alex Killorn scored his first professional goal while Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Alexandre Picard also scored in the contest.

Palat’s seventh goal of the season gave the Admirals a 1-0 lead exactly one minute after the opening faceoff. After a failed clearing attempt by Albany, Palat gathered the loose puck and skated out from the right half boards. From just inside the high slot, Palat sent a shot over the glove of Devils’ netminder Keith Kinkaid.

Albany answered back later in the first period to even the game at 1-1 with a goal by Vladimir Zharkov. In the midst of a Norfolk power play, Zharkov caused a turnover at the Devils’ blue line and broke in alone on Tokarski. Zharkov sent a shot from the slot that trickled past Tokarski at 13:29.

The visitors opened a 2-1 lead on a power play goal by Mattias Tedenby just before the midway point of regulation. With less than a minute remaining on an Admirals penalty kill, Tedenby fired a slap shot from inside the right faceoff circle past a screened Tokarski at 8:42 of the second period.

- Ross Taylor / The Virginian-Pilot

Norfolk knotted the game at 2-2 on Killorn’s first professional goal. With less than five minutes remaining in the second period, Conacher sent a feed from the left corner to Killorn in the left circle. Killorn then skated around Kinkaid and sent a backhander over the netminder’s glove at 15:02.

The Admirals took the lead for good 1:06 into the final frame on a power play. Mark Barberio sent a pass from the left point to Richard Panik in the slot. Panik then bumped the pass over to Johnson in the bottom of the left circle, and Johnson buried a slap shot into the top-left corner of the net for his 29th goal of the season and a 3-2 lead.

Norfolk’s lead doubled with just over six minutes remaining in the third. From the left faceoff circle, a pass from Palat split a pair of Devils’ defensemen on its way toward the goalmouth to Kinkaid’s left. Picard tapped the back-door pass behind Kinkaid for his sixth goal of the season at 13:55.

In the final minutes with Kinkaid pulled in favor of an extra attacker, Albany’s Matt Anderson capped off the scoring with a six-on-five goal at 18:39. However, that would be the only one of Albany’s 13 third-period shots that solved Tokarski, as Norfolk held on for the 4-3 win.

Kinkaid (15-17-3) stopped 35 of the 39 shots he faced in defeat.

Norfolk was 1-for-4 on the power play. Albany was 1-for-5.

Albany Devils 3 at Norfolk Admirals 4 – Status: Final
Saturday, March 24, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Albany 1 1 1 – 3
Norfolk 1 1 2 – 4

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Palat 7   1:00. 2, Albany, Zharkov 15   13:29 (SH). Penalties-Barberio Nor (boarding), 5:18; Harrold Alb (roughing), 12:15.

2nd Period-3, Albany, Tedenby 4 (Gelinas, Whitney), 8:42 (PP). 4, Norfolk, Killorn 1 (Conacher, Devos), 15:02. Penalties-Oberg Nor (tripping), 4:46; Whitney Alb (roughing), 6:07; Ouellet Nor (throwing equipment), 7:08; Nagy Alb (roughing), 12:36; Neilson Nor (roughing), 12:36; Panik Nor (goaltender interference), 16:01; Urbom Alb (interference), 19:36.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Johnson 29 (Panik, Barberio), 1:06. 6, Norfolk, Picard 6 (Palat, Kostka), 13:55. 7, Albany, Anderson 10 (Mills, Harrold), 18:39. Penalties-Gudas Nor (tripping), 8:29; Gelinas Alb (hooking), 11:52.

Shots on Goal-Albany 14-11-12-37. Norfolk 17-10-12-39.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 1 / 5; Norfolk 0 / 4.
Goalies-Albany, Kinkaid 15-17-3 (39 shots-35 saves). Norfolk, Tokarski 28-11-0 (37 shots-34 saves).
A-7,416
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Scott Pomento (25), Mark Hamlett (81).

19 Wins In A Row, Norfolk Beats Albany 2-1

Photo by John Wright/Norfolk Admirals

NORFOLK, Va. – Tyler Johnson’s 28th goal of the season and an Admirals’ penalty kill that stopped eight of nine opponent power plays was the difference as the Norfolk Admirals (46-18-1-2) defeated the Albany Devils (28-27-6-5), 2-1, on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. With the victory, Norfolk extended their winning streak to 19 consecutive games, establishing a new North American professional hockey record.

The Admirals continue their longest homestand of the season tomorrow night as they face off against the Devils at Scope at 7:15 p.m.

Norfolk has now won 19 consecutive games since February 10, 2012, vaulting into first place in the entire American Hockey League. The Admirals have not lost a game since a 4-2 road setback to the Springfield Falcons on Super Bowl Sunday on February 5, 2012.

L. Todd Spencer / The Virginian-Pilot

Jaroslav Janus (19-8-2) stopped 26 of 27 shots to extend his personal franchise-record winning streak to 11 games. Jean-Philippe Cote scored his third of the season.

The visitors took a 1-0 lead with a first period power play goal. Mattias Tedenby slipped a pass through the Norfolk defense to Eric Gelinas just above the left faceoff circle. Gelinas then sent a shot under Janus at 14:14.

Eighteen seconds later, Norfolk responded to knot the game at 1-1. After picking off an Albany pass, Mark Barberio sent a slap shot off the left post. The rebound deflected out to Cote in the left faceoff circle, and the veteran defenseman sent a shot through traffic and over the blocker of Devils’ netminder Jeff Frazee for his third goal of the season at 14:32.

The Admirals took the lead for good with just under eight minutes remaining in the second period. Beginning on top of the right faceoff circle, Richard Panik spun off one Devils’ defender in the right circle, then spun around a second defender near the slot before firing a shot on net. The rebound kicked off Frazee directly to Johnson on the goalmouth. Johnson then buried his 28th goal of the season to give Norfolk the 2-1 lead at 12:08.

Neither team was able to get on the scoreboard in the final frame as the Admirals skated away with their 19th victory in as many games.

Norfolk was held scoreless on five attempts with the man advantage while the Admirals killed off eight of nine Albany power plays.

Devils netminder Jeff Frazee (11-17-2) finished the night with 26 saves on 28 shots.

The Admirals and Devils square off again at Scope at 7:15 p.m. in the 12th Annual MDA Jersey Auction, Presented by PAPCO. Immediately following the conclusion of the game, a live auction will take place on the ice with special jerseys being sold right off the players’ backs. All proceeds go to the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Admirals will don jerseys that pay homage to the first hockey team to play at Scope – the 1971-72 Tidewater Wings. This season marks the 40th anniversary of hockey in Hampton Roads.

Albany Devils 1 at Norfolk Admirals 2 – Status: Final
Friday, March 23, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Albany  1 0 0 – 1
Norfolk  1 1 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Albany, Gelinas 15 (Tedenby), 14:14 (PP). 2, Norfolk, Cote 3 (Barberio, Picard), 14:32. Penalties-Zalewski Alb (tripping), 1:55; Killorn Nor (tripping), 4:21; Cote Nor (high-sticking), 6:15; Tedenby Alb (hooking), 11:08; Devos Nor (tripping), 13:25; Berube Alb (roughing), 16:19; Panik Nor (roughing), 16:19; Panik Nor (high-sticking), 18:43.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Johnson 28 (Panik, Palat), 12:08. Penalties-Zalewski Alb (high-sticking), 5:13; Kostka Nor (holding), 7:11; Baier Alb (tripping), 12:24; Urbom Alb (hooking), 14:11; Picard Nor (slashing), 15:46; Conacher Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 16:43; Conacher Nor (interference), 19:00.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Kostka Nor (tripping), 9:06.

Shots on Goal-Albany 15-4-8-27. Norfolk 11-6-11-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 1 / 9; Norfolk 0 / 5.
Goalies-Albany, Frazee 11-17-2 (28 shots-26 saves). Norfolk, Janus 19-8-2 (27 shots-26 saves).
A-6,031
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84), Geoff Miller (28).
Linesmen-Scott Pomento (25), Mark Hamlett (81).

Admirals Turn The Tables On Albany, Win 5-4

Here is the write up of last nights game against the Albany Devils. I am a bit under the weather and I did not watch or listen to the game. So for now I will go with the Official Norfolk Admirals write-up. Hopefully I will be back in action by the weekend. From the write-up it sounds like it was a good come from behind game after a poor opening period. Good job in getting the Albany monkey off of the Admirals back.

From the Norfolk Admirals:

Photo - Albany Devils

ALBANY, N.Y. – Mike Angelidis’ goal late in the second period completed a comeback from a two-goal deficit as the Norfolk Admirals (24-13-1-2) defeated the Albany Devils (17-14-5-3), 5-4, on Wednesday night at Times Union Center. The Admirals look to build on their three-game winning streak as they continue a three-game road trip on Friday night against the Syracuse Crunch.

Matt Fornataro, Evan Oberg, Mark Barberio and Michel Ouellet also scored for the Admirals, who trailed 3-1 before scoring four times in the second period. Goaltender Dustin Tokarski is now tied for the AHL lead in wins after stopping 24 of 28 shots for his 17th win of 2011-12.

The Devils took the 3-1 lead through one period after a hat trick by Stephane Veilleux. He scored his first goal of the contest as the extra attacker on a delayed penalty to the Admirals. As Veilleux jumped off the bench and entered the high slot, J.S. Berube spotted him with a pass from the left circle. Veilleux one-timed the puck past Tokarski, stick-side, at 5:49.

Norfolk briefly tied the game at 1-1 less than nine minutes later as Fornataro scored a goal in his third straight game. He sent a shot from the right faceoff circle that went through traffic past Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid. The power play goal at 14:16 was Fornataro’s sixth goal of 2011-12.

Veilleux gave Albany the lead again at 16:13. This time, Tim Sestito sent a pass from the left faceoff circle to Veilleux, who tapped the pass into the net from just beyond Tokarski’s left leg.

The Devils went ahead, 3-1, on a similar play just over two minutes later. Joe Whitney fed a pass from the slot to Veilleux in the bottom of the right circle. Veilleux’s shot found its mark at 18:28.

Norfolk stormed out of the gates to tie the game quickly in the second period. Only four seconds after an Admirals power play had expired, Oberg sent a shot from top of the right faceoff circle through a screen and past Kinkaid at 5:21 for his second goal of the season.

- Photo Albany Devils

Norfolk tied the game at 3-3 less than a minute later on a goal by another defenseman. This time, Barberio entered the attacking zone in the high slot before dropping a pass to Tyler Johnson and gliding into the left faceoff circle. Johnson then returned the pass to Barberio from the right circle, and Barberio one-timed the puck along the ice through the legs of Kinkaid at 6:09 for his fifth goal of the season.

However, the Devils re-claimed the lead just over seven minutes later on another one-timer – this time by Chad Wiseman. Vladimir Zharkov sped through the left wing before sending the puck across the slot. Wiseman backhanded the puck past Tokarski’s left leg at 13:28 for a 4-3 Albany lead.

Mike Kostka and the Admirals used another pair of quick strikes to take their first lead of the game three minutes later. Kostka set up the first goal at 16:12 off a faceoff. After Norfolk won the faceoff, Jean-Philippe Cote sent a pass from the high slot to Kostka at the left point. Kostka one-timed the puck through traffic, and Ouellet redirected it past Kinkaid for his ninth goal of the season to tie the game at 4-4.

The Admirals took the lead for good just 26 seconds later. This time, Cote spotted Kostka in the high slot, and Kostka waited for Angelidis to get into position in front of the net. Kostka then sent a wrist shot that Angelidis redirected past the left leg of Kinkaid at 16:38 for his eighth goal of the season and a 5-4 Norfolk lead.

The Admirals buckled down defensively in the third period, sending eight shots on Kinkaid while limiting Albany to only three shots on Tokarski. Neither team scored in the frame, as Norfolk cemented the 5-4 win.

Dustin Tokarski (17-9-0) stopped 24 of 28 shots for the win. Keith Kinkaid (9-11-1) made 21 saves on 26 shots for the loss.

Norfolk was 1-for-6 on the power play while Albany was 0-for-4.

The road trip continues for the Admirals on Friday night in Syracuse, N.Y., as they face off against the Crunch at 7:30 p.m. Tune in to 102.1-FM, 1490-AM, 1021TheGame.com or AHLLive.com for all the action.

Norfolk Admirals 5 at Albany Devils 4 – Status: Final
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 – Times Union Center

Norfolk 1 4 0 – 5
Albany  3 1 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Albany, Veilleux 6 (Urbom, Berube), 5:49. 2, Norfolk, Fornataro 6 (Conacher, Barberio), 14:16 (PP). 3, Albany, Veilleux 7 (Sestito, Whitney), 16:13. 4, Albany, Veilleux 8 (Whitney), 18:28. Penalties-Angelidis Nor (holding), 8:55; Sestito Alb (slashing), 12:50; Dimmen Nor (tripping), 19:00.

2nd Period-5, Norfolk, Oberg 2 (Palat, Devos), 5:21. 6, Norfolk, Barberio 5 (Johnson, Gudas), 6:09. 7, Albany, Wiseman 3 (Palmieri, Zharkov), 13:28. 8, Norfolk, Ouellet 9 (Kostka, Cote), 16:12. 9, Norfolk, Angelidis 8 (Kostka, Cote), 16:38. Penalties-Hoeffel Alb (tripping), 3:17; Panik Nor (roughing, fighting), 7:35; Banwell Alb (fighting), 7:35; Palmieri Alb (interference), 8:26; Angelidis Nor (tripping), 11:13; Hoeffel Alb (slashing), 13:56; Veilleux Alb (elbowing), 20:00.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Perkovich Alb (boarding), 16:31.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 10-8-8-26. Albany 13-12-3-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 6; Albany 0 / 4.
Goalies-Norfolk, Tokarski 17-9-0 (28 shots-24 saves). Albany, Kinkaid 9-11-1 (26 shots-21 saves).

A-2,371
Referees-Mark Lemelin (41), Geno Binda (22).
Linesmen-Mike Emanatian (69), Frank Murphy (29).

Don’t miss out on any of the fan discussion at Norfolk AdmiralsZone.