Norfolk Admirals path to improvement

NORFOLK, VA. – To say the Norfolk Admirals have been struggling this season would be putting it mildly.   In what seems to be a never ending assault of roster changes, which includes multiple and often daily additions, trades and call ups, the Admirals have taken stock and are finally making a slow but somewhat remarkable path of improvement.
 
They started off the holiday break this week on a three-game winning streak and the season’s first shoot out win, against the Philadelphia Phantoms, moving out of the 7^th place slot to 6^th  in the Eastern division with 29 points, 12-19-1-4. There are currently eight AHL teams with fewer points.
 
As we look back over the past month, we see a relatively young team going from winning only five out of 19 games to winning 7 out of 14.  Not an easy feat for a team seemingly outfitted with a revolving roster.  

 
Since November 25^th, goaltender Karri Ramo has been recalled and sent back twice only to be recalled to Tampa once again this past Monday to stand in for an injured Olaf Kolzig. Riku Helenius has been assigned to Norfolk two out of the three times. 
 
Radek Smolenak, Paul Szczechura, Matt Smaby, Steve Downie, Andrew Hutchinson, Zenon Konopka and Jamie Heward all have done stints in Tampa.
 
Four of them at the same time. Szczechura and Heward are still currently active on Tampa’s roster.  Andrew Hutchinson, Wyatt Smith have since been traded. Grant Potulny, Mathieu Curadeau, Mike Lundin and NHLveteran Chris Gratton have been added along with Kevin Quick and Chris Lawrence’s return from folding ECHL affiliate Augusta Lynx. Enforcers Jay Rosehill & Brent Henley along with Pete Zingoni have been on and off the injured list. Zingoni is still out due to a spiral fracture received during practice.
 
In spite of the constantly changing line of teammates this month, the Admirals are indeed making improvements not only as a whole but individually.
 
Netminder Mike McKenna recorded not only the team’s first shut out of the season, but his own since joining the team and playing only 13 games.  Radek Smolenak has scored the game winning goal in three games, a total of 12 goals for this season as well as playing six games while recalled to Tampa. He registered an assist in his debut against the Philadelphia Flyers and is also leading the team in PIM having accumulated 98 minutes so far this season, 2 points more then resident tough guy and fan favorite Jay Rosehill. 
 
Steve Downie has racked up 7 points in three games, just since rejoining the Admirals on December 13^th as well as registering his first NHL goal since joining the Lightning affiliation. Blair Jones is leading in assists with 16 for the season, a 3-game streak and scoring a game winning goalagainst Bridgeport. 
 
Rookie Ty Wishart scored his first professional goal and Justin Keller has a point in three of his last four games. 
 
Saturday, December 27^th the Admirals face down division foes, Philadelphia Phantoms, once again before heading off for their only three road games scheduled in January, a welcome change for these guys who often face long bus rides and up to 10 days on the road at a time. Puck drops Saturday at 7:15pm at the Norfolk Scope.
 
Contact the author at lisa-murphywood@prohockeynews.com.