NORFOLK, VA – The Norfolk Admirals will look to string together a three-game winning-streak when they entertain the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, on Friday night at Scope.
The Admirals will host the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday night at Scope. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive the first set of 2008-09 Admirals trading cards. There will also be a post-game skate immediately following the game that allows fans to skate with their favorite Admirals. Please see below for more details.
EAST DIVISION STANDINGS At 29-35-3-5 (66 points), the Admirals are in seventh place in the East Division. The division is led by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (44-20-3-5, 96 points). They are followed by the Hershey Bears (44-19-1-6, 95 points), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (43-24-2-2, 90 points), Binghamton Senators (38-25-5-3, 84 points), Philadelphia Phantoms (35-28-2-4, 76 points) and Albany River Rats (31-32-3-3, 68 points). Click here for the complete, up-to-the-minute AHL standings.
THE ADMIRALS’ WEEK AHEAD Fri., Mar. 27 … vs. Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings) … 7:15 p.m. | CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS
ADMIRALS LOG
Following Saturday’s 2-1 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Scope, the Admirals raised $27,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through their ninth annual MDA Jersey Auction, Presented by PAPCO. Since 2001, the jersey auction has raised over $240,000 for MDA.
Zenon Konopka’s nine-game point streak (4G, 8A) ended on Saturday versus Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The point streak is a Norfolk season high. Konopka now has points in 13 of his last 16 games (5G, 13A).
In Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Penguins, Brandon Bochenski netted his sixth game-winning goal of the season – good for an eighth-place tie in the AHL. Bochenski has points in four of his last five games (2G, 3A).
Every Norfolk skater recorded at least one shot on goal in the Admirals’ 4-2 win over Binghamton on Friday at Scope.
With a goal, an assist and a fight, Radek Smolenak turned in his third “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” of the season on Friday versus Binghamton. Smolenak has points in three of his last four games (3G, 1A).
Defenseman Geoff Kinrade scored Friday’s game-winning goal against the Senators with his first professional shot in his first professional game. Kinrade was signed to an Amateur Tryout Contract earlier in the day and had arrived in Norfolk only hours before the puck was dropped.
On Friday, the Admirals will host the Grand Rapids Griffins at Scope for the first time since a 3-1 victory on February 7, 2003 – Norfolk’s only win against Grand Rapids all-time. The Admirals have faced the Griffins five times since joining the AHL in 2000-01 and have posted one win, three losses and one tie.
ADMIRALS RBK/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE Justin Keller: 3GP, 1G, 2A, 3 PTS Justin Keller continued his solid play at Norfolk Scope Arena with three points in three games last week. On Wednesday, he notched an assist against Binghamton in a 5-3 loss. In the Friday rematch, Keller registered another assist in a 4-2 victory over the Senators. On Saturday, Keller opened scoring with an unassisted shorthanded goal in a 2-1 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Keller has points in 13 consecutive home games (10G, 7A). This season, Keller has 16 goals and 16 assists in 51 games. His 16 goals and 32 points are professional career highs. He has 24 points (11G, 13A) in his last 26 games, which is tied for the second-highest total for Norfolk since January 17.
– The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive the first set of the 2008-09 Norfolk Admirals team trading cards.
Post-Game Skate – The Admirals will hold their final post-game skate of the season where fans can skate at Scope with their favorite Admirals following the game. Skates will be available or fans may bring their own skates.THIS WEEK ON THE ADMIRALS HOUR Tune in to the Admirals Hour on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. “The Voice of the Admirals” Pete Michaud will be joined in the studio by Admirals captain Zenon Konopka. If you have a question for the show, please call (757) 497-1310 during the show or email keith@norfolkadmirals.com prior to 2:00 on Thursday afternoon.
ADMIRALS STREAKS AND TRENDS
Justin Keller, Points in three straight games (1G, 2A since 03/18 vs. BNG)
Brandon Bochenski, Points in back-to-back games (1G, 2A since 03/20 vs. BNG)
Justin Keller, Points in 13 straight home games (10G, 7A since 01/23 vs. LE)
Zenon Konopka, Points in 13 of his last 16 games (5G, 13A since 02/21 vs. BNG)
Brandon Bochenski, Points in four of his last five games (2G, 3A since 03/14 at BNG)
Mike Lundin, Points/Assists in 3 of his last 4 games (0G, 3A since 03/15 at PHI)
Brandon Bochenski, Points in ten of his last 15 games (7G, 7A since 02/20 vs. BNG)
Justin Keller, Points in eight of his last 12 games (4G, 5A since 03/03 at BRI)
Radek Smolenak, Points in three of his last five games (3G, 1A since 03/14 at BNG)
TRANSACTIONS OF THE PAST WEEK March 18, 2009 DELETE D Josef Melichar – Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)
March 20, 2009 ADD D Geoff Kinrade – Signed to Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO)
THIS WEEK IN ADMIRALS HISTORY (MARCH 9 – 15) March 24, 2006 … Admirals 3 vs. Portland Pirates 2
The Admirals jump to a 3-0 lead and hang on to beat the Atlantic Division-leading Portland Pirates 3-2 at Scope. Eric Meloche, Matt Keith and Carl Corazzini each score a goal while Brian Lee and Quintin Laing each contribute two assists. Adam Munro stops 41 of 43 shots for the victory.
March 25, 1997 … Admirals 2 vs. Knoxville Cherokees 0
Goaltender Darryl Paquette becomes “Mr. Zero” on this night, posting the first of three straight shutouts to end the 1996-97 season in a 2-0 win over the Knoxville Cherokees at Scope. Rod Taylor and Dominic Maltais score for the Admirals. Paquette’s amazing run remains unmatched in ECHL history. Paquette’s shutout streak would last 236:03 – an ECHL record to this day.
March 27, 1991 … Admirals 3 at Johnstown Chiefs 2
Dave Flanagan scores the overtime game-winner and goaltender Dave Gagnon runs his post-season record to a perfect 5-0 in Hampton Roads’ 3-2 win over the Johnstown Chiefs at the Cambria County War Memorial. The decision gives the Admirals a three-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven ECHL Semi-Final series. On this night, the Blue & Gold rely on a stingy defense, holding the Chiefs to an ECHL playoff record one shot on goal in the second period.
March 29, 2008 … Admirals 4 vs. Manchester Monarchs 3
Bracken Kearns scores a pair of power play goals to lead the Admirals to 4-3 victory over the Manchester Monarchs at Scope. Chris Lawrence and Radek Smolenak also light the lamp for Norfolk, which strikes twice in the opening period and races to a 4-0 lead early in the second period before Manchester mounts a spirited comeback. Ryan Munce stops 35 of 38 shots for the win.
TICKETS Don’t miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Packages are on sale now with special monthly rates available. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com or call (757) 640-1212.
To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. 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!
ON THE RADIO/INTERNET All games are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. The games are also cybercast at SportsJuice.com. Go to SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at norfolkadmirals.com. Broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to game time.
Games are also viewable through the Internet on a pay-per-view basis through AHL Live. Visit norfolkadmirals.com and click the AHL Live banner on the left side of the site to view all Admirals’ home and away games.
