ADMIRALS AND ICECAPS BATTLE AT SCOPE Separated by eleven points for first place in the Eastern Conference, the top two teams in the Eastern Conference battle at Scope as the Admirals and St. John's IceCaps reunite for the first time since the middle of November.
When Norfolk traveled to "The Rock" in November, the two teams split the two-game series. On Friday Nov. 18th, Trevor Smith and Tyler Johnson each scored twice and Jaroslav Janus turned aside 26 of 28 shots as the Admirals defeated the IceCaps, 6-2. The next night, Cory Conacher scored the lone Norfolk goal, as the Admirals fell, 3-1, to wrap-up their four-game road trip.
This week's matchups will be the first ever meetings between the clubs at Norfolk Scope Arena. The Admirals are looking to extend their North American professional hockey record 20-game winning streak while the IceCaps are in the midst of a six-game road trip, having shut out Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 2-0, on Saturday in their last contest.
NORFOLK'S WINNING STREAK BY THE NUMBERS The following numbers are for Norfolk during its 20-game winning streak from February 10 to March 24, 2012:
3 different skaters are averaging at least one point per game
1.89 goals-against average by Dustin Tokarski
1.45 goals-against average by Jaroslav Janus
.944 save percentage by Jaroslav Janus
.926 save percentage by Dustin Tokarski
ICECAPS CONNECT WITH HISTORICAL PAST From 1996-2001, the Manitoba Moose skated in the International Hockey League. After the season was completed, as the IHL closed business, the Moose joined the American Hockey League, where they skated until last season.
In that span, the Moose clinched one regular season title (2008-09), two division championships (2006-07) and (2008-09) and one conference championships in 2008-09.
During the summer of 2011, the NHL announced that the Atlanta Thrashers were sold and would be moving to Winnipeg, meaning the Moose had to go. As a result, True North Sports and Entertainment negotiated with former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Danny Williams to relocate the Moose to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. This meant that American Hockey League action would be returning to "The Rock" after a six year hiatus following the departure of the St. John's Maple Leafs.
In their first season of action, the St. John’s IceCaps have served as the top minor league affiliate for the Winnipeg Jets. The IceCaps, led by head coach Keith McCambridge, arrive at Scope with a 13-point lead in the Atlantic Division.
A LOOK AT THE ROAD AHEAD After this week's matchups with the IceCaps, the Admirals will have three home games remaining for the 2011-12 regular season. Next Tuesday night, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town for the final regular season matchup between the clubs.
To conclude the season-long, seven-game homestand, the Binghamton Senators come to town for the first time since October. Prior to Saturday night's contest, there will be a party on the Norfolk Scope plaza. Saturday night's matchup will also be Fan Appreciation Night. More details will be posted at norfolkadmirals.com in the coming days.
To wrap up the season, Norfolk will play three road games in three nights. On Friday, April 13th, Norfolk will travel to Albany. They will then travel to Binghamton on Saturday night, April 14th, before the regular season finale at Adirondack on Sunday, April 15th.
ADMIRALS VALUE NIGHTS The Admirals return to action at Scope on Wednesday night to face off against the St. John's IceCaps in another Weekday Value Night. The game will once again feature Family Fun Packs and Student Rush Nights.
Family Fun Packs include four discounted Red Level Tickets for just $48 plus four free hot dogs, four free popcorns and four free sodas. Fans get all of that for just $48 – that’s a savings of $37!
Student Rush Night tickets provide $8 White Level Tickets (normally $12) for high school and college students with a valid current high school or college ID. In addition, when you buy a Student Rush Night Ticket, you get a buy-one, get-one free offer for the next Student Rush Night.
Family Fun Packs are available at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Student Rush Night Tickets are available ONLY at the Scope Box Office after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the game.
NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY NIGHT Join us on Friday night for Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Nightas your Norfolk Admirals play the St. John’s IceCaps at 7:30 p.m. at Norfolk Scope Arena.
Through an exclusive online offer, Red Level tickets for this game are available for just $10. If you were to buy these tickets at the Scope Box Office on game night, they’d be $17.50 – you save 43%. Plus, a portion of ticket sales goes back to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
This special offer is only good online and is only available through Wednesday, March 28. The offer will expire at 11:59 that night.
To take advantage of this special offer, please visit norfolkadmirals.com/groups. The promo code is only available from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. For more information, contact Kathy Nelson at (757) 322-1173 or email kathy.nelson@nmcrs.org.
