Admirals cruise past Phantoms

NORFOLK, VA – “Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more.” – Louis L’Amour
 
The Norfolk Admirals gained another inch this weekend upsetting the Philadelphia Phantoms with a seemingly effortless 7-2 win and extending their pre-break winning streak to four.

 
While the Admirals continue working hard, signs of improvement both individually and team-wide are becoming more and more evident.
 
Thankfully, roster changes have been somewhat minimal but still revolving this past week. Matt Smaby was recalled, once again, to Tampa prior to the Saturday game. He joins fellow teammates, Paul Szczechura, Karri Ramo and Jamie Heward.  
  As of Saturday, December 27^th, Mathieu Curadeau was return to the Ft. Wayne Komets of the IHL and Brent Henley, Chris Lawrence and Scott Jackson were sent back to the Mississippi Sea Wolves, Henley on loan.   Today Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced Mathieu Curadeau has once again been recalled from Ft. Wayne and Scott Jackson along with Chris Lawrence has been re-assigned back to Norfolk.   Brandon Segal, Andy Rogers and Juraj Simek join Pete Zingoni on the injured reserved list.  
This past weekend the Admirals faced the Philadelphia Phantoms at the Norfolk Scope, hitting the ice determined to show fans and foes alike that their pre-break turn around was just the beginning.    Former Phantom Steve Downie walked away from the game with his first professional hat trick and the first hat trick scored by an Admiral since Brandon Bochenski’s back to back hat tricks December 20, 2006 and January 3^rd, 2007.
 
The Admirals took the ice looking relaxed, focused, more importantly determined.   It became apparent early in the first period that the Phantoms were not going to have an easy night.
 
A mere 2:37 into the first stanza RW Brandon Segal netted the first goal, unassisted.    Justin Keller followed suit three minutes later taking a rebound from Jason Ward and snapping it between the pipes. Grant Potulny assisted the duo giving the Admirals a 2 goal lead as the period came to a close and the Phantoms headed to the locker room scoreless.
 
The second period showed no signs of the Admirals letting up. Grant Potulny registered a shot with assists from Brandon Bochenski and Mike Lundin at the 1:25 marker with Steve Downie claiming the next goal, much to net minder Scott Munroe and former Philly   team mates frustration giving Norfolk a four goal cushion.   Radek Smolenak and Mike Lundin took the assists.   Admiral’s enforcer Jay Rosehill took the ice after spending most of the game warming the bench, and while 5,610 fans waited to see who his “objective” was, sent the puck behind Munroe and into the net putting the score at 5-0.
 
Center Jonathan Matsumoto put the Phantoms on the board sending a shot under goalie Mike McKenna’s right leg at 17:36 mark. Assists from Jason DeSantis and Danny Syvret.   Less then two minutes later Steve Downie sunk his second goal of the game finishing the 2nd period with Norfolk leading 6-1.
 
Half way through a rather lack luster third, Steven Downy picked up a hat trick   picking up a feed from Vladimir Mihalik shooting it past Scott Munroe from the right circle, Jason Ward also assisted.   Jonathan Matsumoto notched goal number two for Philadelphia at the 14:08 marker assisted by Rob Sirianni and Danny Syvret.   In the end the Admirals took the win, 7-2 over the Phantoms.
 
Goaltender Mike McKenna takes the win, 36 shots, 34 saves.   Scott Munroe collecting the loss with 48 shots, 41 saves.
 
The Norfolk Admirals head out this coming week on a three game road trip to face down the Portland Pirates and Worcester Sharks.   They return home to face the Bears on January 7^th in the first of a seven game home stand.
 
Downie extended his point’s streak to eight games (5g, 10a).   He leads his team mates with a +9 rating and in the six games, since his return from Tampa, has scored five goals.  
 
Radek Smolenak has points in all four games since returning from his professional stint in Tampa with 4 goals, 1 assist. He is still currently leading the team in PIM and along with Brendon Segal is leading the franchise in goals this season, both having a total of twelve. He currently tallies 12 goals, 11 assists and carries a +5 rating.
 
Mike Lundin had four assists in the game against the Phantoms, now tying the franchise record.
 
The Admirals hold their place at 6^th in the Eastern Conference with 13-19-1-4, 31 points and by the looks of it they will continue to chip away at holding their ground and winning one game at a time.
 
Contact the author at lisa.murphywood@prohockeynews.com.