Norfolk Admirals Weekly Release #15

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Admirals split a weekend back-to-back with the Elmira Jackals on Friday and Saturday. The Admirals edged Elmira 3-2 in overtime on Friday, but fell 3-2 on Saturday's Pink in the Rink event to the Jackals in regulation.

On Friday, the Admirals needed the extra session for the third consecutive game to defeat the Jackals and extend their winning streak to four. First to score was Norfolk left-winger Jonathan Lessard at 13:53 after he collected a deflection off the boards. In the second period, Elmira scored two unanswered goals when Ian Young notched his first as a professional just 1:25 into the frame then Cason Hohmann at 10:44. During a Norfolk power play late in the third, Michael Pelech’s equalizer with 1:42 remaining sent the game into overtime. Gabriel Verpaelst’s slap shot from the high slot lit the lamp at 3:28, earning him the first star of the night and a 3-2 overtime victory for Norfolk.

The Jackals defeated Norfolk on Saturday night, 3-2. As Greg Chase sat for high-sticking in the first period, Hohmann capitalized from the left ring for Elmira at 6:52. The first 20 minutes concluded with the Admirals down 1-0. Just 50 seconds into the second period, center Alexis Loiseau hit the back of Jackals' net, evening the score, 1-1. Hohmann scored his second of the night with 5:46 left to go in the period, to put Elmira back on top 2-1 going to the third. Four minutes into the final frame, Chase’s smooth backhander in front of the crease tied the game, 2-2. It wasn’t until 17:35 when defenseman Kevin Clare’s unassisted power-play goal earned the Jackals the win over Norfolk, 3-2.

The Admirals host the South Carolina Stingrays Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at Scope Arena.

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 18-24-1-1 (38 points), the Admirals are 5th in the East Division and are 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., Jan. 29 ... vs. South Carolina Stingrays (Washington Capitals) ... 7:30 p.m.Sat., Jan. 30 ... vs. South Carolina Stingrays (Washington Capitals) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT• Former Admiral Josh Currie was recently rewarded for his stellar play with an AHL contract with the Admirals' AHL affiliate the Bakersfield Condors. Since being loaned to Bakersfield on Nov. 17, Currie has tallied three goals and four assists in 24 games with the Condors.

ADMIRALS LOG• Forward Max Legault skated in his first game for Norfolk on Saturday in nearly three months since suffering an upper-body injury the night before Halloween. A native of St. Agathe, QC, it was just his seventh appearance this season overall in his sixth full season as a pro. The seventh round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2009 has a goal and an assist in seven games this season.• Defenseman Gabriel Verpaelst is enjoying his most productive month of the season. The 6-foot, 191-pounder potted two goals and six helpers in the last seven games after going scoreless in the first four contests of January. He's also scored two game-winners in overtime, and runs a five-game point streak, consisting of one goal and six assists, into this weekend.• Following a quiet first six games of the New Year, Alexis Loiseau has turned it on recently, posting a five-game point streak along with Verpaelst. His three goals and three assists over that span give him eight points total this month, and 9-13=22 points in 27 games this season.

NORFOLK LEADERSGoals: Jonathan Lessard, Alexandre Ranger (11)Assists: Steven Whitney (20)Points: Steven Whitney (30)Games: Jordan Hill, Michael Pelech, Gabriel Verpaelst (44)PP Goals: Scott Allen (5)SH Goals: Alexis Loiseau, Michael Pelech, Alexandre Ranger (1)+/- Rating: Steven Whitney (6)PIM: Samuel Noreau (120)GAA: Nic Riopel (2.46)Spct: Nic Riopel (.918)Wins: Ty Rimmer (12)Losses: Ty Rimmer (12)GPl: Ty Rimmer (26)Minutes: Ty Rimmer (1407)

ABOUT THIS WEEKEND’S MATCHUPSThe Stingrays will travel to Norfolk for the second and third time this season for games this Friday and Saturday. South Carolina (21-15-3-2) is sixth in the Eastern Conference, while Norfolk (18-24-1-1) sits in 11th place. The Admirals will continue to bring their edgy style of play as they are ranked first in penalty minutes in the league with 758. This will be the teams' fourth and fifth time playing against each other. The Stingrays record against Norfolk is 3-1 and they look for a bounce-back victory after a 4-3 loss against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday, Jan. 23. The Admirals' forwards will either face Mark Dekanich or rookie Vitek Vanecek in net who are both among the top goalies in the league. Dekanich has racked up 996 minutes in goal out of 17 games played, and sports a saving percentage of .926, which is tied for fourth place in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades' Anthony Peters. Norfolk's defense will need to keep an eye on forward David Pacan who has notched four goals and three assists in his last four games. He leads the team in goals, assists, points, power-play goals, and shorthanded goals.

SOUTH CAROLINA LEADERSGoals: David Pacan (13)Assists: David Pacan (19)Points: David Pacan (32)Games: Stephan Vigier (41)PP Goals: David Pacan (4)SH Goals: David Pacan (2)+/- Rating: Bobby Shea (17)PIM: Bobby Shea (96)GAA: Mark Dekanich (2.11)Spct: Mark Dekanich (.926)Wins: C.J. Motte (8)Losses: Mark Dekanich (7)GPl: Mark Dekanich, Vitek Vanecek (17)Minutes: Mark Dekanich (996)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

January 29 - Norfolk Public Schools NightAll students, faculty and staff members of Norfolk Public Schools are eligible to purchase tickets for just $5. Contact the Admirals' Administrative Office at 757-640-1212 for more information.

January 30 - Make-A-Wish Foundation Night, Pajama Jams Skate NightThe Admirals and Dave and Buster's team up to provide one family with a night to remember. Bring a pair of new pajamas to donate for a chance to win raffle prizes, and show your support by dressing up in your favorite onesie during the post-game skate.

Our post-game skate is your chance to meet the Admirals, get autographs, and skate alongside the players you cheer on all season!

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.