Norfolk Admirals Weekly Release #2

Admirals leave first road trip behind as three-game homestand approaches

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Admirals headed to Florida this past week to compete against the Florida Everblades, and for a two-game away series against the Orlando Solar Bears. The Admirals continued to play a very physical style, and moved into a tie for first place in the ECHL in penalty minutes with an average of 23.6 per contest. There were 118 shots on the Admirals’ goalies Ty Rimmer and Philippe Cadorette, as the pair allowed six goals per game during the road swing.

Florida walked away with a win on Wednesday night, 6-1. With a scoreless first period in the books, the Admirals hit the back of the net first against the Everblades' goaltender Daniel Altshuller in the second period. Florida answered with three goals on Rimmer to jump out to a 3-1 advantage. The 'Blades never looked back, and Norfolk's defense was unable to protect the net as two more goals were scored on Rimmer, then another on Cadorette after a goalie change in the final period.

The Admirals traveled to Orlando where they suffered their second loss of the week against the Solar Bears, 6-3. Although it was a different team, the game concluded with the same result and the same number for the winning side. Once again, Norfolk struck first when Greg Chase knocked an escaped puck into the net against the Solar Bears' goalie Ryan Massa. This would be the first of the five goals scored in the first 20 minutes, three by Orlando, then a power-play goal scored from Norfolk center Michael Pelech. Admiral Gabriel Verpaelst dazzled for his first goal of the season in the second period, hauling it on his own from the Norfolk blue line before weaving through three defenders and sneaking a shot through Massa's legs to tie the game at 3-3. However, three more goals (two empty-net) went unanswered in the third period, in favor of Orlando.

Although, the Admirals outshot the Solar Bears for the second night in a row, Norfolk experienced déjà vu on Saturday, losing again to Orlando, 6-3. The hosts got on the board first, but Chase scored in the second period making it a tie game, 1-1. The Solar Bear’s Eric Faille had a shorthanded tally that put Orlando ahead for good late in the middle frame. Four more for Orlando in the third, including an empty-net goal, sealed Norfolk's third-straight loss. The Admirals come home with a 1-4-0 record, but play their next three at Scope.

ON THE RADIO/INTERNETAll regular-season games will air live on 1650 AM WHKT "The Answer" and online at 1650theanswer.com. ECHL.TV will also carry online video of every Admirals game on a pay-per-view or season pass basis. Fans can log in to watch, listen or get more information about ECHL.TV's online audio and video features at ECHL.TV. Also, Buffalo Wild Wings on Monticello Avenue in Norfolk and Laskin Road in Virginia Beach will show Norfolk Admirals away games during the 2015-16 season.

STANDINGS UPDATEAt 1-4-0-0 (2 points), the Admirals are tied for 4th place in the East Division and are tied for 11th place in the Eastern Conference. Below are the current ECHL Eastern Conference standings:

Click here for league standings

Eight teams in each conference shall qualify for the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Following the conclusion of each team's 72-game regular season, the three division winners in each conference will be seeded 1-3 (in order of regular-season points) and the next five best teams (in order of regular-season points) will be seeded 4-8.

THE ADMIRALS’ WEEK AHEADFri., Oct. 30 … vs. Quad City Mallards (Minnesota Wild) … 7:30 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT• Former Admirals Brandon Montour, Mike Sgarbossa and Shea Theodore are currently among the top five in scoring on the San Diego Gulls' roster. Montour is in second behind Nick Ritchie with a goal and three assists through five games, while Sgarbossa and Theodore sit tied for third with three assists each through five contests. Montour and Theodore both made their professional debut in an Admirals jersey, and Sgarbossa played out the remainder of last season with Norfolk after being traded from Lake Erie.

ADMIRALS’ LOG• Rookie forward Greg Chase carries a four-game point streak into the upcoming homestand at Scope. After being held off the scoresheet in the season opener, Chase has been a mainstay with three goals and a helper in that span.• Through the first five games of the season, the Admirals have nine players with at least two points, including three defensemen, and 13 players with at least one point. Though Norfolk is currently looking to snap a three-game losing streak, it's promising to see statistics that indicate a sharing of the puck and that many are chipping in on the offensive end, not just a few.

NORFOLK LEADERSGoals: Greg Chase (3)Assists: Josh Currie (3)Points: Josh Currie (5)Games: Several players tied (5)PP Goals: Four players tied (1)SH Goals: Michael Pelech (1)+/- Rating: Chase Schaber (-1)PIM: Jonathan Lessard (18)GAA: Ty Rimmer (3.26)Spct: Ty Rimmer (.909)Wins: Ty Rimmer (1)Losses: Ty Rimmer (4)GPl: Ty Rimmer (5)Minutes: Ty Rimmer (276)

ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S MATCHUPSThe Admirals (1-4-0) face the second-place team in the Midwest division, the Quad City Mallards (3-1-0-1) at home this Friday, October 30. Norfolk could have difficulty finding the back of the net against the Mallards' goaltender, rookie Steve Michalek. Michalek has saved 103 shots out of 111 in the past four games played, and is ranked 12th in the league in both goals-against average (1.97) and save percentage (.928). The Admirals’ defense permitted 108 shots in the past three games, and surrendered 23 goals thus far, the most in the ECHL. Quad City is ranked in the top 10 in the league in offense and features forward Logan Nelson as their leading attacker. Nelson has four goals and is tied for third in the league. There is always the possibility that a game could be decided on special teams, where Norfolk is ninth in terms of power-play success (20.0%) and Quad City is ninth when defending against it (90%). The Mallards have won their only road game so far this season, while the Admirals are an even .500 at home with a record of 1-1-0. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at Scope.

QUAD CITY LEADERSGoals: Logan Nelson (4)Assists: Oliver Archambault (4)Points: Logan Nelson (5)Games: Several tied (5)PP Goals: Guillaume Gelinas (2)SH Goals: N/A+/- Rating: Mike Monfredo (4)PIM: Austin Coldwell, Ryan Tesink (12)GAA: Steve Michalek (1.97)Spct: Steve Michalek (.928)Wins: Steve Michalek (2)Losses: Steve Michalek (1)GPl: Steve Michalek (4)Minutes: Steve Michalek (244)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

Friday, October 30 vs. Quad City Mallards - Military Appreciation Night presented by USAA, Zombie A-Hockey-Lypse, Post-Game Skate with the Admirals, Challenge Coin Giveaway courtesy of John's Tax ServiceOn the eve of Halloween, the Admirals thank our military for their service by offering $11 Red Level tickets. Military groups are also strongly encouraged to attend as groups will receive $9 Red Level tickets. Contact Charlie Colon (x23) or Sami Hamad (x24) at the Admirals' Administrative Office (757-640-1212) to schedule your group today. The first 1,500 fans through the gates at Scope will receive a 2015-16 Admirals Challenge Coin thanks to John's Tax Service!

The Zombie A-Hockey-Lypse returns to Scope once again! Kids 13 and under can arrive early to participate in trick-or-treating from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the upper concourse. Fans of all ages are encouraged to wear their costume to Scope, and a Post-Game Skate with the Admirals will follow to cap off the first month of the new season. The post-game skates are an excellent opportunity to get autographs from and take photos with your favorite Admirals right on the ice at Scope!

TICKETSIndividual tickets are on sale now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and online at ticketmaster.com. 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.