Admirals Win 6-1, Sweep The Marlies, Win The Calder Cup

By Ronnie Shuker, The Canadian Press

TORONTO – Tyler Johnson and Mike Kostka each scored twice as the Norfolk Admirals defeated the Toronto Marlies 6-1 on Saturday to capture their first Calder Cup championship.

Richard Panik and Pierre-Cedric Labrie had the other goals for the Admirals, who swept the American Hockey League best-of-seven final.

Norfolk goalie Dustin Tokarski stopped 18 shots for his 12th win of the post-season and Cory Conacher chipped in with four assists. Johnson added two assists to also finish the night with four points.

Mike Zigomanis had the lone goal for Toronto. Ben Scrivens made 27 saves in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,084 at Ricoh Coliseum.

It’s the first championship title for Norfolk in its 12-year franchise history, capping off a remarkable and record-setting season.

In early February, the Admirals sat third in their division and were simply fighting for a playoff spot. But since a loss on Super Bowl Sunday to the Springfield Falcons, the Admirals went 43-3, which included a 28-game winning streak from Feb. 10 until April 20 – a professional hockey league record.

In the playoffs, Norfolk went 15-3, defeating the Manchester Monarchs 3-1, the Connecticut Whale 4-2 and then sweeping the St. John’s IceCaps and the Marlies.

Just as in the first three games of the series, Norfolk scored first in a chippy opening period with 31 minutes in penalties.

Panik, a 2009 second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, drove to the Marlies net and wristed a weak backhand shot toward the net that deflected off Marlies defenceman Juraj Mikus’s skate and in past Scrivens 6:17 into the game.

Toronto tied it with 16.1 seconds left in the period on a long 5-on-3 power play with Panik given a five-minute major and game misconduct for elbowing.

The Marlies worked it around the perimeter until Joe Colborne found Zigomanis, playing just his second game of the series, alone at the side of the net for an easy tap in.

It was the first goal Tokarski had allowed in 88:36 after shutting out the Marlies 1-0 in Game 3 and just the second power-play goal for Toronto, which went just 2-for-26 on the man advantage in the series.

Norfolk retook the lead 4:26 into the second period on a delayed penalty call. Ondrej Palat dished from the behind the goal line to Game 3 overtime hero Kostka who ripped a shot from the point past a screened Scrivens for his fifth of the playoffs.

The Admirals then made it a 3-1 game at 16:45. After Scrivens made a sensational sliding blocker save on Johnson off a one-timer, Johnson picked up the rebound behind the net and banked it off Scrivens’ back and into the net.

The Admirals took a three-goal lead less than a minute into the third on the power play. Kostka, a hometown player from Etobicoke, Ont., blasted a shot from the top of the circle high past Scrivens.

Johnson, an undrafted free agent signing by Tampa Bay in 2011, got his second of the game at 12:35 with Scrivens pulled for an extra attacker. Labrie then made it 6-1 Norfolk, snapping in a rebound past Scrivens into an open net.

Norfolk Admirals 6 at Toronto Marlies 1 – Status: Final
Saturday, June 9, 2012 – Ricoh Coliseum

Norfolk   1 2 3 – 6
Toronto 1 0 0 – 1

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Panik 5 (Johnson, Conacher), 6:17. 2, Toronto, Zigomanis 4 (Colborne, Lashoff), 19:43 (PP). Penalties-Dupuis Tor (interference), 1:02; Aulie Nor (interference), 3:20; Holzer Tor (interference), 8:49; Mikus Tor (roughing), 12:46; Cote Nor (roughing, roughing), 17:24; Panik Nor (major – elbowing, game misconduct – elbowing), 17:24; Orr Tor (roughing), 17:24; Kostka Nor (high-sticking), 18:40.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Kostka 5 (Palat, Conacher), 4:26. 4, Norfolk, Johnson 5 (Killorn, Aulie), 16:45. Penalties-Angelidis Nor (roughing), 9:50; Colborne Tor (holding), 18:02; Zigomanis Tor (slashing), 18:37; Holzer Tor (slashing), 19:25.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Kostka 6 (Conacher, Johnson), 0:44 (PP). 6, Norfolk, Johnson 6 (Cote, Conacher), 12:35 (EN). 7, Norfolk, Labrie 5 (Ouellet, Smith), 13:33. Penalties-Lashoff Tor (roughing), 4:39; Mikus Tor (tripping), 7:30; Angelidis Nor (slashing), 9:47.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 12-12-8-32. Toronto 8-7-4-19.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 8; Toronto 1 / 6.
Goalies-Norfolk, Tokarski 12-2-0 (19 shots-18 saves). Toronto, Scrivens 11-6-0 (31 shots-26 saves).
A-8,084
Referees-Graham Skilliter (48), Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Kiel Murchison (35), Matt MacPherson (83).

Norfolk Draws First Blood, Beat The Marlies 3-1

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Admirals opened the 2012 Calder Cup Finals by celebrating some of their recent accomplishments.

They closed out the night one step closer to a title.

Rookie stars Cory Conacher and Tyler Johnson each had a goal and an assist as Norfolk blitzed the Toronto Marlies early and held on late, taking a 3-1 decision in a feisty opener to the American Hockey League’s 76th championship series.

In a pre-game ceremony, the Admirals raised banners to the Scope rafters commemorating their East Division, overall regular season and Eastern Conference playoff titles, as well as a fourth recognizing their record 28-game winning streak.

Once the puck dropped, Norfolk was quick to show the dominance they’ve displayed while winning 40 of their last 43 games.

Photo: L. Todd Spencer – The Virginian-Pilot

Conacher, the AHL’s most valuable player and rookie of the year in 2011-12, opened the scoring with the teams skating four-on-four at 12:21 of the first period, snapping a shot past Ben Scrivens. It was the second postseason goal for Conacher, who had led the league with 39 goals during the regular season.

Shots were 16-9 after one period and 27-12 by the midway point of the second period when Johnson doubled the lead to 2-0, ripping a bullet by Scrivens at 10:03. It was just the fourth power-play goal allowed by the Marlies all postseason.

Toronto finally got on the board at 3:57 of the third period, with former Admiral Carter Ashton, in his first action since Game 2 of the first round vs. Rochester, beating Dustin Tokarski to make it 2-1. That goal ended Tokarski’s personal shutout streak at 203 minutes and 26 seconds, just 4:01 shy of the all-time Calder Cup playoff record set by the Springfield Indians’ Marcel Paille in 1962.

The Marlies continued to pressure for the equalizer, but could not convert on three third-period power plays before Brandon Segal secured the win with an empty-net shorthanded tally with 18.3 seconds remaining.

Photo: L. Todd Spencer – The Virginian-Pilot

Scrivens (11-3, 1.64, .945) finished with 39 saves on the night as the Marlies were outshot by a 42-24 margin. Tokarski (9-2, 1.60, .940) stopped 23 shots to help Norfolk to its seventh consecutive victory.

The game, which featured a combined 70 minutes in penalties, saw Toronto finish 0-for-10 on the power play and Norfolk go 1-for-5.

NOTES: Attendance at Scope was 7,229… In Calder Cup Finals history, the Game 1 winner has won the series 56 of 75 times.

Toronto Marlies 1 at Norfolk Admirals 3 – Status: Final
Friday, June 1, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

Toronto 0 0 1 – 1
Norfolk  1 1 1 – 3

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Conacher 2 (Johnson, Oberg), 12:21. Penalties-Lashoff Tor (hooking), 1:25; Mueller Tor (roughing), 1:25; Cote Nor (slashing, roughing), 1:25; Panik Nor (hooking), 8:15; Dimmen Nor (tripping), 11:34; Dupuis Tor (tripping), 11:40; Labrie Nor (roughing), 15:46; Picard Nor (roughing), 18:47.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Johnson 4 (Barberio, Conacher), 10:03 (PP). Penalties-Conacher Nor (slashing), 4:47; Dupuis Tor (cross-checking), 9:18; Dupuis Tor (roughing), 12:24; Conacher Nor (roughing), 12:24; Picard Nor (cross-checking), 13:24; Picard Nor (checking to the head), 18:01; Dupuis Tor (goaltender interference), 19:23; Mikus Tor (roughing), 19:23; Palat Nor (roughing), 19:23; D’Amigo Tor (roughing), 20:00.

3rd Period-3, Toronto, Ashton 1 (Scott, Gardiner), 3:57. 4, Norfolk, Segal 4 (Smith, Gudas), 19:41 (SH EN). Penalties-Acton Tor (roughing), 8:59; Gudas Nor (roughing), 8:59; Kostka Nor (hooking), 10:38; Fraser Tor (fighting), 14:38; Labrie Nor (boarding, fighting), 14:38; Oberg Nor (delay of game), 18:24; Rosehill Tor (elbowing, misconduct), 19:57.

Shots on Goal-Toronto 9-9-6-24. Norfolk 16-13-13-42.
Power Play Opportunities-Toronto 0 / 10; Norfolk 1 / 5.
Goalies-Toronto, Scrivens 11-3-0 (41 shots-39 saves). Norfolk, Tokarski 9-2-0 (24 shots-23 saves).

A-7,229
Referees-Francis Charron (46), Jean Hebert (43).
Linesmen-Matt MacPherson (83), John Grandt (95).

Admirals Open Conference Finals With 6-1 Victory Over IceCaps

NORFOLK, Va. – Mike Kostka scored twice as 13 of 18 Norfolk skaters registered points in a 6-1 throttling of St. John’s in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The same two teams square off Saturday night at Scope for Game 2 at 8:00 p.m.

Photo: Ross Taylor – The Virginian Pilot

Kostka scored two of four goals by Admirals defensemen in the victory, joining single tallies from Jean-Philippe Cote and Keith Aulie. Michel Ouellet and Ondrej Palat also scored for Norfolk, while Dustin Tokarski (5-2) stopped 29 of 30 shots for the win.

The first goal of the game did not come until 18:55 of the opening period when Kostka fired a power play slapshot past St. John’s goaltender Eddie Pasquale. Evan Oberg passed to Kostka at the top of the Norfolk offensive zone to start the play. Kostka wound up and fired a slapshot through traffic, beating Pasquale between his left leg and glove.

Norfolk added to their lead with another power play goal early in the second period. Tyler Johnson had the puck at the top of the left circle and passed it to Ouellet, who took the pass at the bottom of the circle. Ouellet skated towards net, sending a shot that bounced off Pasquale. Ouellet backhanded the rebound between Pasquale’s right leg and the post at 3:08 to make it a 2-0 Norfolk advantage.

Eight minutes later, Kostka extended the Norfolk lead with a goal very similar to his first. The play started with a Philip-Michael Devos feed along the wall from behind the St. John’s net. The puck found its way around the boards to a waiting Kostka. From the top of the right circle, Kostka fired another slapshot through traffic into the back of the net, making it 3-0 Norfolk at 11:04.

Continuing with the theme of successful slapshots by defensemen, Cote added Norfolk’s fourth goal at 13:42 of the second period. Trevor Smith had the puck in the middle of the left circle when he spotted Cote alone in the high slot. With no defenders around him, Cote wound up and fired a shot that grazed the shoulder of Pasquale before going into the net and making it 4-0 Norfolk. The IceCaps would bring in David Aebischer to relieve Pasquale at this point.

The Norfolk surge continued into the third period with a Palat goal at 1:28. Cory Conacher began the play after he poked the puck loose from a St. John’s player in the Norfolk zone. Johnson then began a two-on-one break. Johnson skated until the middle of the right circle where he passed across to Palat on the edge of the left circle. Palat beat Aebischer with a snap shot, blocker side, for a 5-0 lead.

Photo: Ross Taylor – The Virginian Pilot

St. John’s responded with a power play goal by Zach Redmond at the 2:11 mark. Brock Trotter skated the puck down to the middle of the right circle before throwing the puck behind the Norfolk net. As the puck emerged from behind the net near the left circle, Redmond reached for it, gathered it and banked a shot off Tokarski and into the net to make it 5-1 Norfolk.

Five minutes later in the third, Norfolk struck again, this time during four-on-four play. Palat skated down the right side of the ice after a pass from Conacher. When he reached the bottom of the right circle, Palat passed across the slot to Keith Aulie, who one-timed it past Aebischer to make it 6-1 Norfolk.

Eddie Pasquale (7-5) stopped 17 of 21 shots for the loss in the first 33:42 of the game. Aebischer (0-0) saw his first 26:18 of action in the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs, making 10 saves on 12 shots.

Norfolk was 2-for-5 on the power play. St. John’s was 1-for-7 with the man advantage.

St. John’s IceCaps 1 at Norfolk Admirals 6 – Status: Final

Thursday, May 17, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

St. John’s 0 0 1 – 1
Norfolk      1 3 2 – 6

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Kostka 2 (Oberg, Smith), 18:55 (PP). Penalties-Gudas Nor (elbowing), 5:08; Aulie Nor (double minor – high-sticking), 13:22; Sawada Stj (high-sticking), 15:05; Barberio Nor (delay of game), 15:32; Cormier Stj (goaltender interference), 17:02.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Ouellet 1 (Johnson, Barberio), 3:08 (PP). 3, Norfolk, Kostka 3 (Devos, Angelidis), 11:04. 4, Norfolk, Cote 1 (Smith, Labrie), 13:42. Penalties-Clark Stj (high-sticking), 1:24; Cote Nor (hooking), 16:24.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Palat 4 (Johnson, Conacher), 1:28. 6, St. John’s, Redmond 1 (Trotter, Postma), 2:11 (PP). 7, Norfolk, Aulie 1 (Palat, Conacher), 7:21. Penalties-Devos Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 1:35; Murray Stj (roughing, fighting), 3:01; Angelidis Nor (fighting), 3:01; Johnson Nor (slashing), 5:25; Trotter Stj (high-sticking), 5:40; Picard Nor (slashing), 15:16; Albert Stj (elbowing), 18:03; Clark Stj (roughing), 18:03; Murray Stj (misconduct – unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:03; Picard Nor (roughing, misconduct – unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:03.

Shots on Goal-St. John’s 14-9-7-30. Norfolk 11-13-9-33.
Power Play Opportunities-St. John’s 1 / 7; Norfolk 2 / 5.
Goalies-St. John’s, Pasquale 7-5-0 (21 shots-17 saves); Aebischer 0-0-0 (12 shots-10 saves). Norfolk, Tokarski 5-2-0 (30 shots-29 saves).

A-3,541
Referees-Francis Charron (46), Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Mathieu Chenier (71), Tom George (61).

2-1 OT Victory Sends The Admirals To The Conference Finals

NORFOLK, Va. – Richard Panik’s goal with 6:59 remaining in overtime lifted the Norfolk Admirals over the Connecticut Whale, 2-1, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The Admirals win the best-of-seven series, four games to two, and advance to the conference finals for the first time in their Calder Cup Playoff history.

Photo: Ross Taylor, The Virginian-PIlot

Panik brought 5,832 fans at Scope to their feet just minutes after returning to the ice from an injury. He was struck in the face by a slapshot midway through the third period and missed the remainder of the third period and the majority of overtime while receiving treatment in the Norfolk locker room.

Tyler Johnson also scored for the Admirals, who outshot the Whale, 46-31, in the contest after being out-shot, 24-12 through the first two periods. Goaltender Jaroslav Janus (3-1) turned aside 30 of 31 shots.

Photo: Ross Taylor, The Virginian Pilot

The Whale got on the board first 14:49 into the first period. After a turnover at the Connecticut blueline, Casey Wellman carried the puck into the Norfolk zone along the left wing and sent a shot off Janus. The rebound came back to Wellman, and he sent it back into a maze of sticks and skates in the crease. Jonathan Audy-Marchessault was credited for the goal after the puck snuck past Janus.

Both goaltenders stood strong in the second period as the teams combined for 18 shots but were held off the scoreboard.

After posting just 12 shots in the opening two periods, Norfolk controlled the play in the third period by posting 18 shots in the frame to just three by Connecticut.

Just past the midway mark of the period, Johnson’s second goal of the playoffs tied the game at 1-1. From along the left boards, Palat intercepted a Whale pass and quickly fed the puck toward the slot. The pass deflected off a Connecticut defender to Johnson in the slot between the hashmarks. Johnson collected the fluttering puck and sent a backhand shot between the legs of Whale goaltender Cameron Talbot at 10:52, setting the stage for overtime.

On his first shift after returning from the injury, Panik split the Connecticut defense in the neutral zone and received a pass from Alex Killorn for a breakaway. Panik deked to the backhand before slipping a forehand shot around Talbot’s right leg and into the back of the net at 13:01 for the game-winner.

Talbot (5-4) finished the night with 44 saves on 46 shots in defeat.

The Admirals open the Eastern Conference finals against the winner of the St. John’s/Wilkes-Barre/Scranton series on Thursday night at Norfolk Scope at 7:15 p.m. A complete schedule is available at norfolkadmirals.com. The series between the IceCaps and Penguins will be decided tomorrow night in St. John’s at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

Connecticut Whale 1 at Norfolk Admirals 2 (OT) – Status: Final OT
Friday, May 11, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

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

1st Period-1, Connecticut, Audy-Marchessault 4 (Hrivik, Wellman), 14:49. Penalties-Conacher Nor (hooking), 2:58; Bourque Ct (goaltender interference), 6:10; Segal Nor (hooking), 6:33; Killorn Nor (holding the stick), 10:33; Newbury Ct (interference), 16:59.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Audy-Marchessault Ct (slashing), 7:42; Wellman Ct (holding the stick), 20:00.

3rd Period-2, Norfolk, Johnson 2 (Palat), 10:52. Penalties-Erixon Ct (holding), 7:52; Deveaux Ct (roughing), 11:32; Picard Nor (roughing), 11:32; Tessier Ct (slashing), 13:52.

OT Period-3, Norfolk, Panik 2 (Killorn, Oberg), 13:01. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 13-11-3-4-31. Norfolk 5-7-18-16-46.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 0 / 3; Norfolk 0 / 6.
Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 5-4-0 (46 shots-44 saves). Norfolk, Janus 3-1-0 (31 shots-30 saves).
A-5,832
Referees-Darcy Burchell (42), Mark Lemelin (41).
Linesmen-Scott Pomento (25), Tom George (61).

 

Who Is The Biggest Mama’s Boy

Admirals Take Game 2, Harpoon The Whale 4-1

NORFOLK, Va. – Netminder Dustin Tokarski made 27 saves and both Tyler Johnson and Cory Conacher scored a power play goal, as the Norfolk Admirals defeated the Connecticut Whale, 4-1, on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. With the Eastern Conference Semifinals series tied at one game apiece, the teams will travel to Connecticut for Game 3 on Sunday night.

Norfolk killed six of seven Connecticut power plays and has stopped 35 of 37 opponent power plays in the playoffs to date. Johnson scored his first professional playoff points with a goal and an assist. Alex Killorn opened the scoring with his second goal of the playoffs, while Mike Kostka’s second career playoff tally proved to be the game-winner as the Admirals snapped a two-game home losing streak. AHL MVP Cory Conacher capped off the scoring in the third period with his first professional playoff goal.

The Admirals opened a two-goal lead with a pair of even strength goals in the opening 20 minutes. Three minutes after the opening faceoff, Pierre-Cedric Labrie picked up a loose puck behind the Whale net. From behind the goal line to the glove side of Whale netminder Cameron Talbot, Labrie fed a pass to the top of the left faceoff circle. From there, Killorn chipped a shot over the glove of Talbot to put Norfolk ahead, 1-0.

Photo: Steve Earley, The Virginian-Pilot

Norfolk increased its lead to 2-0 with less than three minutes to go in the opening frame. From the center of the right faceoff circle, Alexandre Picard connected with Kostka on a cross-crease pass. After pinching in from the point, Kostka slipped a shot under a sprawling Talbot at 17:44.

The teams exchanged a pair of power play goals as the Admirals maintained their two-goal lead through 40 minutes.

Midway through the period, Connecticut’s Andre Deveaux narrowed the Norfolk lead to one goal. While Norfolk’s Evan Oberg served the second penalty of a double-minor for high-sticking, the Whale crashed the Admirals’ net. With a teammate knocked into the net, Deveaux jammed in a loose rebound to bring the score to 2-1 at 9:02.

Photo: Steve Earley, The Virginian-Pilot

The Admirals reclaimed a two-goal lead with a power play tally of their own. With 36 seconds remaining on a five-on-three power play, Kostka knocked a pass to Johnson for a shot. The initial shot bounced to Trevor Smith off a Whale defenseman in the crease. Smith’s rebound attempt deflected to Johnson, who sent the shot off Talbot and into the goal to put Norfolk ahead, 3-1, at 15:45.

Norfolk capped off scoring with their second power play tally of the evening. While skating with a five-on-four man advantage, Johnson connected with Conacher on a pass through the center of the Connecticut zone. From the right faceoff dot, he sent a slap shot beyond a diving Talbot to put the Admirals ahead, 4-1, at 4:41.

The Admirals finished the night 2-for-11 on the power play while holding Connecticut’s man advantage to one goal on seven attempts.

Tokarski (3-1) stopped 27 of 28 shots while his counterpart Cameron Talbot (4-1) finished the night with 36 saves on 40 shots.

Connecticut Whale 1 at Norfolk Admirals 4 – Status: Final
Friday, May 4, 2012 – Norfolk Scope

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

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Killorn 2 (Labrie, Aulie), 3:00. 2, Norfolk, Kostka 1 (Picard), 17:44. Penalties-Grant Ct (interference), 3:03; Picard Nor (boarding), 5:11; Picard Nor (slashing), 7:15; McIlrath Ct (interference), 11:16; Picard Nor (tripping), 14:58; Audy-Marchessault Ct (slashing), 18:39.

2nd Period-3, Connecticut, Deveaux 1 (Hrivik, Tessier), 9:02 (PP). 4, Norfolk, Johnson 1 (Smith, Kostka), 15:45 (PP). Penalties-Grant Ct (roughing), 3:24; Deveaux Ct (holding the stick), 6:19; Cote Nor (roughing), 6:19; Oberg Nor (double minor – high-sticking), 6:28; Redden Ct (roughing), 14:20; Newbury Ct (cross-checking), 15:00; Redden Ct (roughing), 19:54; Tessier Ct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 20:00; Picard Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 20:00.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Conacher 1 (Johnson, Barberio), 4:41 (PP). Penalties-Newbury Ct (tripping), 3:40; Deveaux Ct (interference, fighting, game misconduct – jersey, game misconduct – abuse of officials), 6:08; Hrivik Ct (misconduct – unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:08; Newbury Ct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:08; Segal Nor (fighting), 6:08; Conacher Nor (goaltender interference), 12:16; Wellman Ct (boarding), 12:48; Killorn Nor (interference), 16:11.

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 13-7-8-28. Norfolk 12-14-14-40.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 1 / 7; Norfolk 2 / 11.
Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 4-1-0 (40 shots-36 saves). Norfolk, Tokarski 3-1-0 (28 shots-27 saves).
A-4,859
Referees-Graham Skilliter (48), Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Matt MacPherson (83), Tom George (61).