State of the Norfolk Admirals: Season Review (Through 51 Games)

I am a huge fan of the Norfolk Admirals.  I try and go to as many games as I can during the season.  This year I would estimate that I have been able to attend close to 10 games at Scope.  The Admirals sit at third place in the East Division and fifth place in the AHL Eastern Conference.  They trail division rivals Hershey by one point and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton by 2 points.  They are 7 points behind for the AHL Eastern Conference lead trailing the St. John's IceCaps.
I am going to give my own personal opinion on the Admirals season so far.  The forwards have been scoring a lot of goals, which is a great thing to see.  It is hard to win hockey games if you cannot put the puck in the net.  The defense has played solid, although they could use some improvement, especially while on the penalty kill.  The Admirals sometimes get a little sloppy while trying to clear the puck on special teams and it ends up backfiring on them and costing them goals.
My main concern comes most of the time with goaltending.  Dustin Tokarski has improved every single year that he has played in Norfolk.  I am not one that always thinks that every goal that goes in our net is the goalie's fault.  But sometimes I believe he has a bad habit of giving up the weak goal that ends up being the first goal.  If he can prevent from giving up the first soft goal that opens the scoring for the opposition and make a couple of big saves to start the game, it can help our team build the momentum during a game in our favor.  If Tokarski can stay consistent down the stretch, he is fully capable of stealing some games for the Admirals.
This has been my season review.  Hope you have enjoyed reading the Norfolk Admirals Hockey Blog that I have created for my project! -George Foussekis

Player Profiles: Dustin Tokarski and Jaroslav Janus

Dustin Tokarski is the starting goaltender for the Norfolk Admirals.  He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 5th Round of 2008.  He played his junior hockey for Spokane (WHL) and won the Memorial Cup.  He was also voted as the Memorial Cup MVP.  He is a rather small goalie standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing under 200 pounds.  He has over 20 wins in each of his seasons with Norfolk.  On average, his GAA has been around a 2.50 and his save percent has been around 0.900.  He wears #34 for Norfolk.

Jaroslav Janus is the backup goaltender for the Norfolk Admirals.  He was drafted by Tampa Bay Lightning in the 6th Round of 2009.  The Slovakian born goaltender stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs just under 200 pounds.  He played his junior hockey for Erie (OHL).  He has played in Norfolk for the past three seasons.  He wears #30 for Norfolk.

Player Profiles: Scott Jackson and Evan Oberg

Scott Jackson was drafted in 2005 by the St. Louis Blues in the 2nd Round.  The 6 foot 3 inch left handed shooting defensemen hails from Salmon Arm, BC.  He has played the past four seasons in Norfolk.  He played his junior hockey with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.  He wears #22 for Norfolk.

Evan Oberg is an undrafted player from Forestburg, AB.  He stands at 6 feet tall and just under 200 pounds.  Before his trade to Norfolk this season, he has made other stops in the AHL in Manitoba, Rochester, and San Antonio.  He wears #27 for Norfolk.

Player Profiles: Radko Gudas and Mark Barberio

Radko Gudas is the 2010 3rd Round Draft pick for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He is a right handed shooting defensemen from the Czech Republic.  He stands at 6 feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds.  He is a fan favorite in Norfolk for his willingness to fight and stand up for his teammates.  He played his junior hockey for Everett (WHL).  He set a record last season as an Admirals rookie for most penalty minutes in a season.  He wears #3 for Norfolk.

Mark Barberio is the 2008 6th Round Draft pick for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He is a left handed shooting defensemen from Montreal, QC.  He stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs around 200 pounds.  He was selected to the 2012 AHL Allstar Game.  He leads the Admirals defense in points this season.  He wears #8 for Norfolk.

Player Profiles: Ondrej Palat and Richard Panik

Ondrej Palat is the 2011 7th Round pick for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He hails all the way from the Czech Republic.  He played in the QMJHL with Drummondville.  He won a gold medal in junior championships back in 2008.  He wears #12 for Norfolk.

Richard Panik is the 2009 2nd Round pick for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He is a Slovakia native and stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 215 pounds.  He usually plays in the Admirals bottom 6 of the lineup.  He wears #14 for Norfolk.

Player Profiles: Mike Angelidis and Matt Fornataro

Mike Angelidis is an undrafted player from Ontario.  He has been in the AHL for a while playing four seasons with Albany before playing the next two with Norfolk.  He led all Norfolk skaters in +/- last season with a +18.  He also led the Admirals in penalty minutes last season.  He brings a lot of grit and energy to the lineup and is an excellent penalty killer.  He wears #10 for Norfolk.

Matt Fornataro is an undrafted player from Calgary, AB.  He has spent the past three seasons with Norfolk.  He is one of Norfolk's fastest skaters.  He played his college hockey at the University of New Hampshire.  He wears #39 for Norfolk.

Player Profiles: Carter Ashton and Pierre-Cedric Labrie

Carter Ashton was drafted in 2009 in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He is a Winnipeg, MB native.  He played junior hockey with Tri City of the WHL.  He stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and just over 200 pounds.  He plays the wing and wears #18 for Norfolk.

Pierre-Cedric Labrie is an undrafted player who hails from Quebec.  He has played in the AHL for a few years now with stops in Manitoba, Peoria, and Norfolk.  He stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs over 220 pounds.  He is not afraid to drop the gloves to defend his teammates.  He brings a lot of energy and physicality to the lineup, but is also well liked by his teammates and the fans.

Player Profiles: Cory Conacher and Trevor Smith

Cory Conacher is an undrafted player from Ontario, Canada.  He is a bit of small hockey player standing 5 feet 8 inches tall.  He plays much bigger than he is.  He is the Admirals leading goal scorer this season with 28 goals.  He was selected earlier this year to attend the AHL Allstar Game.  He played his college hockey at Canisus College.  He wears #89 for Norfolk.

Trevor Smith is also an undrafted player.  He hails from North Vancouver, BC.  He is around 6 feet tall.  He has a lot of experience at the AHL level.  He spent most of career in Bridgeport.  He also was selected to the AHL Allstar Game.  He wears #23 for Norfolk.

Game Experience: Feb 10, 2012 - Admirals vs Phantoms - Admirals win 2-0

For this game it was the Adirondack Phantoms who came to town.  Little did they know that they would not be able to score a goal this evening.  Through the first twenty minutes, the game was scoreless.  There were only a couple of minor penalties this game.  The referees let both of these squads play most of the night.  There were a little over 5000 fans at Scope cheering on their Admirals.  Early in the second frame, the Admirals were able to get on the board thanks to Philip-Michael Devos.  The Admirals took a 1-0 lead into the third period and that is how it remained til about 90 seconds were left.  The Phantoms had to pull Michael Leighton from the net for the extra attacker late, but the Admirals got an empty net goal from Pierre-Cedric Labrie.  Dustin Tokarski got the shutout for the Admirals as they defeated the Phantoms 2-0.
My experience at this game was a great one.  I was shocked that the referees decided to put their whistles away for most of the night.  I thought the Admirals played a great team game and played good defensive hockey.  I would have liked to have seen them put more shots on the Phantom's net, but I will take a 2-0 win anyday of the week and take the two points.

Meeting the Admirals/Washington Capitals Legend Ollie Kolzig

I always enjoy the opportunity to meet hockey players.  On January 27, 2012 the Admirals were facing off against the Hershey Bears.  This was Olaf Kolzig bobblehead giveaway night.  Olaf Kolzig is one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play for the Hampton Roads Admirals.  He was also the long time netminder for the Washington Capitals at the NHL level.  "Ollie the Goalie" visited Scope for the first time in many years.  He was a part of the celebratory puck drop at center ice and was also there signing autographs for fans.  It was an honor and a privilege to be able to meet one of the classiest guys to ever play goaltender in the NHL/AHL and I'm so happy that I was able to get his autograph on my Washington Capitals ball cap.

 

Game Experience: Jan 27, 2012 - Admirals vs Bears - Admirals win 2-1

This night the Admirals would host arch rival the Hershey Bears.  This night would also bring a legendary Admirals player named Ollie Kolzig to sign autographs and to give out bobbleheads.  To date this season, the Admirals would play in front of the highest attended game with over 7000 fans in attendance at Scope.  Both teams came ready to play for this matchup.  After the first twenty minutes, the game was still scoreless.  Halfway through the second, the Admirals were able to get a goal from Carter Ashton.  After forty minutes of play, the Admirals had a 1-0 lead.  The Bears were able to score fairly early into the third tying the game up, but midway through the third the Admirals got a very clutch goal from Pierre-Cedric Labrie which ended up being the game winner. 
The experience at this game was very exciting.  This game had the feel of a playoff game.  Hershey brought a lot of fans into the arena, and both sides were able to dish out some taunts at one another.  It is always a blessing to see two really good teams fight it out for the two points.

Game Experience: Jan 10, 2012 - Admirals vs Penguins - Pens win 3-2

I was able to attend the Admirals game two days after my birthday.  This game was on a Tuesday night with a very light crowd.  The opponent was arch rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins whom every Admirals fan enjoys to see when they come into town.  This night did not fare well for the Admirals though.  By the end of the first period, they were already in a 3-0 hole.  For the remaining 40 minutes, the Admirals were able to score two goals, but could not overcome the three goal deficit.  The Admirals had a late power play near the end of the third period to try and tie the game, but spent too much time passing the puck in the offensive zone and could not generate shots towards the net.  Goal scorers for Norfolk were Radko Gudas and Michel Ouellet.
The game was very exciting and had some chippiness to it.  The fans were able to see a couple of fights during the game.  I was disappointed in the Admirals flat first period and lack of shots on the net.  I also wish the attendance this night could have been a little bit better.

 

Norfolk Admirals - AHL - 2000-Present History

The AHL (American Hockey League) is the league that the current Norfolk Admirals play in. Norfolk became an expansion franchise for the AHL in 2000 and has been around ever since.  They currently play at the Norfolk Scope.  The Norfolk Admirals have had 2 different NHL affiliations.  From 2000-2007, they were the farm team of the Chicago Blackhawks.  From 2007-present, the Admirals are now the farm team of the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The Norfolk Admirals have won 2 south division championships, but have not been able to win the elusive Calder Cup. Some notable players that have played for the Norfolk Admirals are Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Troy Brouwer.

Duncan Keith:

Brent Seabrook:

Troy Brouwer:

Hampton Roads Admirals - ECHL - 1989-2000 - History

The current Norfolk Admirals did not start out as the Norfolk Admirals.  Back in 1989, the Admirals had a different name and were a part of a different hockey league.  The current Admirals used to be known as the Hampton Roads Admirals.  The league they were a part of was the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League).  They were a part of the ECHL til 2000.  During their run in the ECHL, they were able to capture 3 Kelly Cups under the coaching of John Brophy. Some notable players that played for the ECHL Admirals were Rod Taylor, Aaron Downey, and Olaf Kolzig. The Hampton Roads Admirals played their home games at the Norfolk Scope. 

Rod Taylor:

Aaron Downey:

Olaf Kolzig:

Introduction to the Norfolk Admirals Hockey Blog

For my blog project, I am going to focus on our local professional ice hockey team, the Norfolk Admirals. I am interested in this topic because I am a huge fan of hockey. I would like to give everyone a fan's perspective of the game that I love most. My goal is to try and convert more people in to liking this great sport. I believe that people should tune in to hockey because it is fun to watch and it is also fun to play during spare time. I will give the readers an experience of what it is like to being a hockey fan. I will provide some Admirals game updates, Admirals history, statistics, and focus on current players.

Norfolk Admirals

American Hockey League

Comm 366 Blog Project

This is a test to make sure blog is working. -George