Bears Eliminate Admirals once again
by: Brad Johnson
04/17/2002
South Division rivals, Norfolk Admirals and the Hershey Bears met for
the second straight season in the Calder Cup Playoffs…. After the Admirals took the first game
of the series by a 4-1 count last Friday night, the Admirals then saw their
impressive Division Title winning season come to a heartbreaking close as they
surrendered three consecutive contests to give the Bears a 3-1 series
edge. Two of the three losses in the series for the Admirals were decided
by just a single goal. In the series clinching victory for the Bears in
game four at Hershey Park Arena the Admirals held a 1-0 lead going into the
final period of play, the Bears rallied to tie the game midway through the third
to force overtime, and it was the chocolate town heroes who scored the
game-winner just a minute-and-a-half into the second overtime to send the
Admirals packing for the second straight season in the postseason. The
Admirals owned the Bears in the regular season besting them in the season series
6-2-1-1, but as time after time goes to show you can throw the numbers out the
window once the quest for the cup begins.
Minus the playoff loss to the Bears, the Admirals had a quite impressive season
for the second straight year. The Admirals recorded several franchise
records which will be listed more in detail in my year-in-review segment, but
just to hit on a few the Admirals went a very impressive 17-8-2-3 versus the
South Division to earn themselves a banner ceremony during next season’s home
opener. The Admirals recorded 18 victories away from home ice which is
half of dozen more road wins than last season. Rookie center Tyler Arnason
broke into the league by leading all Admirals in scoring with 56pts;
(26goals,30assits) as he earned AHL Rookie of the Year Honors. Arnason received
a well deserved promotion to the Blackhawks where he finished off final twenty
games of the season, and finds himself on their to playoff roster against the
St. Louis Blues. Goaltender Michael Leighton surpassed all expectations as
he closed out the season with an impressive 27-16-8 record; .920 save
percentage; including six shutouts. Excellent second season for Norfolk,
hopefully everything works out in the off-season and the Admirals put yet another
very entertaining and competitive team on the ice, I would hate to see the rich
hockey history of Hampton Roads come to and end, I feel we are just beginning!
REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS:
NORFOLK TEAM STATISTICS Through Games of 04/07/2002
No. PLAYER POS GP G A PTS +/- PIM PP SH GW GT FG OT UG SHOTS PCT
XArnason, Tyler C 60 26 30 56 -2 42 11 0 3 2 6 0 4 184 14.1
15 Henderson, Matt LW 74 21 28 49 4 90 7 1 4 1 5 0 1 194 10.8
29 Hankinson, Casey RW 72 19 30 49 1 85 6 2 2 0 6 0 0 172 11.0
32 Baines, Ajay C 80 16 28 44 11 70 5 4 4 0 2 1 1 138 11.6
5 Baumgartner, Nolan D 76 10 24 34 1 72 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 188 5.3
7 Souza, Mike LW 66 20 11 31 0 58 6 1 4 1 5 0 2 179 11.2
6 McCarthy, Steve D 77 7 21 28 -16 37 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 151 4.6
17 Peluso, Mike RW 29 18 9 27 3 4 6 0 3 0 0 0 1 98 18.4
9 Bowler, Bill C 28 3 16 19 -11 35 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 37 8.1
(TOTALS) C 45 5 21 26 -21 41 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 63 7.9
8 Campbell, Jim RW 44 11 14 25 6 26 5 0 3 0 3 1 1 117 9.4
23 Leroux, Jean-Yves LW 59 8 16 24 1 94 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 115 7.0
12 White, Peter C 24 4 19 23 7 18 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 37 10.8
55 Thornton, Shawn RW 70 8 14 22 -3 281 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 152 5.3
27 Laing, Quintin LW 61 6 15 21 -2 32 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 75 8.0
11 Jones, Ty RW 55 6 14 20 4 172 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 53 11.3
64 Tolkunov, Dmitri D 51 1 18 19 22 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 68 1.5
24 Zelepukin, Valeri LW 27 8 10 18 3 29 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 59 13.6
2 Huskins, Kent D 65 4 11 15 6 44 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 89 4.5
22 Fiddler, Vern C 38 8 5 13 -1 28 1 1 3 1 1 0 1 63 12.7
40 Ndur, Rumun D 52 4 9 13 5 133 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 44 9.1
XRussell, Bobby RW 61 5 7 12 -6 20 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 88 5.7
XDubinsky, Steve C 16 7 3 10 4 6 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 53 13.2
XChebaturkin, Vladimi D 57 2 8 10 8 78 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 58 3.4
33 Helperl, Jeff D 56 0 9 9 0 109 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51 0.0
XMcAlpine, Chris D 8 0 4 4 -1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 0.0
XDowney, Aaron RW 12 0 2 2 1 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0.0
31 Andersson, Craig G 28 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
XO'Brien, Steve D 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
3 Aitken, Johnathan D 28 0 1 1 -2 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0.0
49 Leighton, Michael G 52 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
XCarroll, Ken G 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
XApps, Syl C 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.0
XKowalsky, Rick RW 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
XDalmao, Duncan D 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
XPerrott, Nathan LW 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.0
XPassmore, Steve G 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
XBogas, Chris D 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.0
XGalbraith, Lance F 3 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0.0
BENCH 80 8
TOTALS 80 222 380 602 1686 64 10 38 8 45 2 15 2527 8.8
OPPONENT TOTALS 80 205 337 542 1652 60 5 30 4 35 4 12 2156 9.5
No. GPI MIN AVG W L T EN SO GA SAVES SPCT
49 Leighton, Michael 52 3114:13 2.14 27 16 8 4 6 111 1269 0.920 31 Andersson, Craig 28 1567:59 2.95 9 13 4 4 2 77 598 0.886 XPassmore, Steve 2 120:00 3.00 2 0 0 0 0 6 65 0.915 XCarroll, Ken 1 58:12 3.09 0 1 0 0 0 3 19 0.864
TEAM TOTALS 80 4874:51 2.52 38 30 12 8 8 205 1951 0.905
OPPONENT TOTALS 80 4874:51 2.73 30 38 12 9 4 222 2305 0.912
X - No longer on Team
Game 1 – Admirals roll to 4-1 win in playoff opener
by: Brad Johnson
The Admirals opened their Western Conference Quarterfinal series against
their arch rival the Hershey Bears last Friday in Norfolk. The Admirals
sailed to a 4-1 victory in their playoff opener with the help of Jim Campbell
netting two third period goals, Steve McCarthy chipping in three assists, and
center Vern Fiddler picking up two helpers.
The Admirals dominated much of game, their play along the boards all night was
quite impressive.. The Admirals defense kept the Bears in check all night long
while rookie All-Star goaltender Michael Leighton held his opposition scoreless
until 1:58 remained in the contest.
After a scoreless opening period the Admirals lit the lamp twice in the middle
frame, with goals from Leroux and Fiddler. JY Leroux scored the Admirals
first goal of the 2002 Calder Cup Playoffs when Defenseman Steve McCarthy fired
a slap shot from the point that was blocked by a defender, Leroux gathered up
the loose biscuit and fired a backhander past Sauve to give the Admirals a 1-0
lead just 2:34 into the frame.
Midway through the second stanza the Admirals pushed their lead to 2 goals.
Center Vern Fiddler skated into the Bears zone off a beautiful outlet pass from
Steve McCarthy, Fiddler put on the breaks as he watched two defenseman skate by
him, Fiddler waited a few seconds for traffic to gather in front of the Hershey
goal and fired a quick wrist shot that deflected off Jim Campbell and in behind
Phil Sauve for a 2-0 Admirals advantage.
The Admirals held their 2-0 lead until three and half minutes remained in the
contest, when Jim Campbell scored his second goal of the night to give the
Admirals a commanding 3-0 lead. Jim Campbell and Steve McCarthy
broke up the ice in a 2 on 1 situation, the Bears lone man back forced Campbell
to take the shot, and so he did, sending a rocket over the glove of Sauve and
into the twine sealing the coffin shut.
The Admirals had said enough in game 1 by making a huge opening statement, but
they had more to say before it was over… Mike Peluso gave the Admirals a
4-0 edge less than a minute later at the 17:23 mark, Mike Peluso fired a
harmless wrist shot from the corner than deflected off a Bears defender and
slide across the goal line as he recorded his first point of the playoffs.
Unfortunately for Michael Leighton the Admirals defenseman relaxed in the final
two minutes of the game, and Matt Herr found himself all alone breaking into the
Norfolk zone as he quickly disposed of the put into the top right corner end the
Admirals shut out bid with just 1:58 remaining in the contest.
Game Notes:
Jim Campbell scored for the first time since Mar 30, and scored two goals for
the second time this season
The Admirals have won three straight decisions against the since last wednesday
Bears, each on home ice, defeating the Bears by a combined score of 10-3
Leighton, who finished among the league leaders in wins and shutouts, stopped 21
of 22 shots to pick up his first professional playoff victory.
Philippe Sauve allowed 4 goals on 32 shots in the losing effort
Boxscore:
------------------------------------ Hershey 0 0 1 --1 Norfolk 0 2 2 --4 ------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: M Kuleshov, Her (elbowing), 3:43; J Paul, Her (cross checking), 12:55; M Leighton, Nor (slashing), 16:43.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Norfolk, Jean-Yves Leroux 1 (Steve Mccarthy), 2:34. 2, Norfolk, Jim Campbell 2 (Vern Fiddler, Steve Mccarthy), 10:37. Penalties: N Baumgartner, Nor (hooking), 4:40; Q Laing, Nor (kneeing), 6:45; Y Babenko, Her (roughing), 8:30; J Holperl, Nor (roughing), 8:30; S Mccarthy, Nor (roughing), 18:43.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Norfolk, Jim Campbell 1 (Steve Mccarthy, Vern Fiddler), 16:22. 4, Norfolk, Mike Peluso 1 (Valeri Zelepukin, Peter White), 17:23. 5, Hershey, Matt Herr 1 (Jaroslav Obsut, Yevgeny Lazarev), 18:02. Penalties: J Daw, Her (high sticking), 10:52.
Shots on goal: --------------------------------------- Hershey 5 9 8 --22 Norfolk 11 15 6 --32 ---------------------------------------
Power-play Conversions: Hershey - 0 of 4 Norfolk - 0 of 3 Goalies: Hershey, Philippe Sauve (32 shots, 28 saves; record: 0-1-0). Norfolk, Michael Leighton (22 shots, 21 saves; record: 1-0-0) Attendance: 2,492 Referees: Harry Dumas Linesmen: Mark Hamlett, Terry Wicklum.
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS
HERSHEY NORFOLK
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
V Nedorost 0 0 -1 3 S Mccarthy 0 3 +3 2
R Thompson 0 0 even 2 P White 0 1 even 1
B Clark 0 0 -1 1 M Henderson 0 0 -1 2
D Smith 0 0 -1 2 M Peluso 1 0 even 5
S Moore 0 0 -2 0 C Hankinson 0 0 +2 3
J Krestanovich 0 0 even 2 J Leroux 1 0 +1 2
J Obsut 0 1 even 2 T Jones 0 0 +1 2
Y Babenko 0 0 even 2 V Zelepukin 0 1 +2 2
J Daw 0 0 -1 2 N Baumgartner 0 0 +3 1
K Fairchild 0 0 -1 0 A Baines 0 0 even 4
M Herr 1 0 even 2 D Tolkunov 0 0 even 0
J Paul 0 0 -1 0 J Holperl 0 0 even 0
M Kuleshov 0 0 even 1 K Huskins 0 0 even 0
A Riazantsev 0 0 -1 0 V Fiddler 0 2 +2 1
Y Lazarev 0 1 even 1 Q Laing 0 0 even 1
K Timmons 0 0 -3 0 S Thornton 0 0 even 2
B Thompson 0 0 -2 1 J Aitken 0 0 even 0
T Hansen 0 0 -1 1 J Campbell 2 0 +2 4
Game 2 – Hershey evens series at 1-game a piece
by: Frank Porcelli – BlackhawkZone
04/13/2002
Former Blackhawk propsect Jeff Daw bit the hand that used to feed him. Daw’s power play goal halfway through the third period enabiled the Hershey Bears to record a 3-2 victory over the Norfolk Admirals Saturday Night in Norfolk in game 2 of the AHL Western Conference Quarterfinal. Blackhawks Prospect Steve McCarthy left the game with a hip injury. The series is tied at a game apiece heading into game three Wednesday Night in Hershey.
Hershey gets on the board 25 seconds into the game. Clark feeds Vaclav Nedorost. Nedorost beat Michael Leighton through the five hole on a shot from a bad angle to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.Norfolk had a scare early in the first period when Steve McCarthy was shaken up after sliding into the Hershey goal post after crashing the net on a scoring chance. McCarthy had to be helped off the ice. McCarthy tried to come back into the game, but was unable to and was helped into the dressing room as he couldn’t put much pressure on his right side.
McCarthy did not return to the game and was taken directly to a Norfolk hospital and had x-rays done on his right hip area.
Norfolk ties the game six and a half minutes into the first period. Hershey’s clearing attempt was held in by Nolan Baumgartner at the Hershey line. Baumgartner sent the puck over to Jeff Helperl at the right point. Helperl sent the puck through a screen over the right shoulder of Sauve to tie the score at one apiece.
Norfolk had a great chance late in the first period when Jim Campbell made a nice pass up ice to Casey Hankinson, who was off on a breakaway. Hankinson let a quick shot go, but Sauve made a nice glove save on the play.
Norfolk got a fortunate break late in the first period. Nolan Baumgartner ran over Hershey goalie Philippe Sauve. No penalty was called, but a penalty was called on Hershey when Jim Campbell was knocked down in front of the Hershey net with ten seconds left in the first period.
The Admirals take advantage of the break and score immediately on the power play. Vern Fiddler won a faceoff and sent the puck back to Kent Huskins at the point. Huskins moved the puck to Jim Campbell. Campbell’s shot deflected off of a Hershey defenseman and went past Sauve and into the net to give the Admirals a 2-1 lead.
The Admirals had a great chance to increase their lead to two goals with five minutes left in the second period. Jonathan Aitken was set up with a great feed from a teammate. Aitken had a wide open net to shoot at, but shot the puck wide left.
As usual, when you miss a great scoring chance at one end, the other team can come down and score as Hershey ties the game off of a three on two rush.
Tavis Hansen let a shot go that Michael Leighton made a save on, but left a rebound out in front. Hershey defenseman Brent Thompson joined the rush and backhanded the puck past Leighton and into the net, tying the score at two goals apiece.
The Bears had a great chance five minutes into the third period. Vaclav Nedorost let a great shot go from in close, but Leighton made a great stick save to keep the game tied.
Hershey scored a power play goal to take the lead halfway through the third period. Vaclav Nedorost took a long shot that was redirected by Jeff Daw past Leighton to give the Bears a 3-2 lead.
The Admirals pulled Leighton in the last minute to try to tie the game up, but were unable to do so, as the Hershey Bears record a 3-2 victory in game 2 of the AHL Western Conference Quarterfinal. The Admirals only had three shots on goal in the third period as the Hershey Bears did the job in the third period and pick up a huge road victory.
With the victory, Hershey regains home ice advantage in the best of five
series. The next two games are Wednesday and Friday Night at the Hershey Park
Arena.
Stars of the Game:
2. Brett Clark – Hershey
3. Matt Henderson
Game Notes:
Steve McCarthy left the game and was taken to a local hospital for
examination following his collision with the goal post early in the opening
period.
In the first two games of this series the Admirals have recorded just 9 shots
combined in the third period.
Boxscore:
------------------------------------ Hershey 0 0 1 --1 Norfolk 0 2 2 --4 ------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: M Kuleshov, Her (elbowing), 3:43; J Paul, Her (cross checking), 12:55; M Leighton, Nor (slashing), 16:43.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Norfolk, Jean-Yves Leroux 1 (Steve Mccarthy), 2:34. 2, Norfolk, Jim Campbell 2 (Vern Fiddler, Steve Mccarthy), 10:37. Penalties: N Baumgartner, Nor (hooking), 4:40; Q Laing, Nor (kneeing), 6:45; Y Babenko, Her (roughing), 8:30; J Holperl, Nor (roughing), 8:30; S Mccarthy, Nor (roughing), 18:43.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Norfolk, Jim Campbell 1 (Steve Mccarthy, Vern Fiddler), 16:22. 4, Norfolk, Mike Peluso 1 (Valeri Zelepukin, Peter White), 17:23. 5, Hershey, Matt Herr 1 (Jaroslav Obsut, Yevgeny Lazarev), 18:02. Penalties: J Daw, Her (high sticking), 10:52.
Shots on goal: --------------------------------------- Hershey 5 9 8 --22 Norfolk 11 15 6 --32 ---------------------------------------
Power-play Conversions: Hershey - 0 of 4 Norfolk - 0 of 3 Goalies : Hershey, Philippe Sauve (32 shots, 28 saves; record: 0-1-0) Norfolk, Michael Leighton (22 shots, 21 saves; record: 1-0-0) Attendance: 2,492 Referees: Harry Dumas Linesmen: Mark Hamlett, Terry Wicklum
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS
HERSHEY NORFOLK
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
V Nedorost 0 0 -1 3 S Mccarthy 0 3 +3 2
R Thompson 0 0 even 2 P White 0 1 even 1
B Clark 0 0 -1 1 M Henderson 0 0 -1 2
D Smith 0 0 -1 2 M Peluso 1 0 even 5
S Moore 0 0 -2 0 C Hankinson 0 0 +2 3
J Krestanovich 0 0 even 2 J Leroux 1 0 +1 2
J Obsut 0 1 even 2 T Jones 0 0 +1 2
Y Babenko 0 0 even 2 V Zelepukin 0 1 +2 2
J Daw 0 0 -1 2 N Baumgartner 0 0 +3 1
K Fairchild 0 0 -1 0 A Baines 0 0 even 4
M Herr 1 0 even 2 D Tolkunov 0 0 even 0
J Paul 0 0 -1 0 J Holperl 0 0 even 0
M Kuleshov 0 0 even 1 K Huskins 0 0 even 0
A Riazantsev 0 0 -1 0 V Fiddler 0 2 +2 1
Y Lazarev 0 1 even 1 Q Laing 0 0 even 1
K Timmons 0 0 -3 0 S Thornton 0 0 even 2
B Thompson 0 0 -2 1 J Aitken 0 0 even 0
T Hansen 0 0 -1 1 J Campbell 2 0 +2 4
Game 3 – Bears put Admirals on Brink of Elimination
by: Brad Johnson
04/18/2002
The Norfolk Admirals are on the verge of being eliminated in the postseason for the second straight season by their divisional foe the Hershey Bears. Last season the Admirals won game 1 of the best-of-seven semifinal series before losing four straight games to the Bears. The Admirals find themselves in a identical situation this time around, Norfolk won game one of this series but with a 3-1 loss at Hershey last night they have now lost 2 straight and trail the best-of-five Quarterfinal series 2 games to 1. The Admirals must now win two straight games, Friday night in Hershey and Saturday night back in Norfolk to avoid being knocked out by the Bears for the second straight year and to advance to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Admirals appeared to come out flat right out of the gate, and for much of
the contest the Admirals found themselves one stride behind the Bears as they
were backed up in their own zone for the majority of the sixty minute
affair. The Admirals did have several outstanding chances including
multiple point blank opportunities but the Blue and Gold could not find the
handle or in large part solve the riddle known as Hershey goaltender Philippe
Sauve.
Despite the constant defensive pressure put on by the Bears, the Admirals had
the better scoring chances of both teams all night long as they outshot the home
squad by a 35-20 count, as it goes in hockey, more often than not you can throw
the statistics out the window during the playoffs. The Bears took game
three of the series, scoring three goals, one marker in each frame,
en-route to a 3-1 victory over the Admirals and to take an impressive 2 games to
1 lead in the best-of-five series. The victory puts the Bears one win away
from eliminating the Admirals in the postseason for the second consecutive
season, and one win away from a Western Conference Semifinal appearance.
After an impressive division title winning season the Admirals find themselves
with their backs against the walls, as they must win two straight against Bears
if they have any hopes of advancing, and avoiding a playoff upset, once again by
team that hails from Chocolate World.
Game four is set for Friday night in Chocolate town, and if the Admirals pull
out a win, a decisive game five will be the following evening in Norfolk,
Va.
The Bears scored the first goal of the game midway through the opening
period. At 9:15 of the first Yvgeny Lazarev skated in the Admirals zone
while on a 2-on-2 rush, Lazarev used defenseman Rumun Ndur as a screen,
sending a twisted wrist shot in behind Leighton from the right circle for a 1-0
Bears lead.
The Admirals tied the game at 1-apeice at 5:43 of the second period. Vern
Fiddler made a quick wraparound as the puck snuck through the pads of Philippe
Sauve and over the goal line to give him his credit with his first professional
playoff goal.
The Bears regained the lead just under two and half minutes later, Kelly
Fairchild scored the eventual game winner when he skated to the right circle and
quickly blasted a slapper past Leighton, stick side through a screen provided by
Travis Hansen to put the Bears back on top 2-1.
Hershey put the game away 7:34 into the third period, while skating with a
two-man advantage. Vaclav Nedorost redirected a shot from the right circle
through the five hole of Leighton to give the Bears a 3-1 lead.
Game Notes:
Steve McCarthy skated briefly on Wednesday but did not play with his injured
hip suffered in game two. Mike Souza remains out with an injured groin.
The Bears have taken a commanding 2-1 series lead and can eliminate the Admirals
for the second straight season on Friday night at Hershey Park Arena. If
the Admirals win on Friday, they will force a dramatic decisive fifth game in
Norfolk on Saturday.
Philippe Sauve shut down ever aspect of the Admirals offense weapons, and was
clearly the difference in the game, turning aside 34 of 35 shots faced.
Boxscore:
------------------------------------ Norfolk 0 1 0 --1 Hershey 1 1 1 --3 ------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Hershey, Yevgeny Lazarev 1 (Matt Herr, Jeff Paul), 9:15. Penalties: S Thornton, Nor (cross checking), 3:22; T Hansen, Her (high sticking), 9:33; J Aitken, Nor (slashing), 14:49; T Jones, Nor (roughing), 19:54; R Thompson, Her (roughing), 19:54.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Norfolk, Vern Fiddler 1 (Casey Hankinson), 5:43. 3, Hershey, Kelly Fairchild 1 (Vaclav Nedorost, Tavis Hansen), 8:22. Penalties: Y Babenko, Her (holding), 18:43.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Hershey, Vaclav Nedorost 2 (Jaroslav Obsut, Kelly Fairchild), 7:37. Penalties: S Thornton, Nor (slashing), 6:15; M Henderson, Nor (high sticking), 6:19; B Thompson, Her (hooking), 17:42.
Shots on goal: --------------------------------------- Norfolk 9 12 14 --35 Hershey 9 4 7 --20 ---------------------------------------
Power-play Conversions: Norfolk - 0 of 3 Hershey - 1 of 4 Goalies : Norfolk, Michael Leighton (20 shots, 17 saves; record: 1-2-0) Hershey, Philippe Sauve (35 shots, 34 saves; record: 2-1-0) Attendence: 3,565 Referees: Harry Dumas Linesmen: Robert Fyrer
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS
NORFOLK HERSHEY
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
P White 0 0 even 0 V Nedorost 1 1 +1 3
M Henderson 0 0 even 1 R Thompson 0 0 +1 1
M Peluso 0 0 even 3 B Clark 0 0 -1 1
C Hankinson 0 1 -1 2 D Smith 0 0 even 0
J Leroux 0 0 even 3 S Moore 0 0 even 0
T Jones 0 0 even 0 J Krestanovich 0 0 -1 0
V Zelepukin 0 0 even 7 J Obsut 0 1 even 0
N Baumgartner 0 0 even 2 Y Babenko 0 0 +1 1
A Baines 0 0 even 1 J Daw 0 0 -1 0
V Fiddler 1 0 -1 3 K Fairchild 1 1 +1 3
K Huskins 0 0 even 2 M Herr 0 1 +1 2
Q Laing 0 0 even 1 J Paul 0 1 +1 0
R Ndur 0 0 -1 2 C Maclean 0 0 even 3
D Tolkunov 0 0 even 0 M Kuleshov 0 0 even 1
J Holperl 0 0 even 1 Y Lazarev 1 0 +1 2
S Thornton 0 0 even 0 K Timmons 0 0 -1 1
J Aitken 0 0 -1 2 B Thompson 0 0 +1 0
J Campbell 0 0 -1 5 T Hansen 0 1 +1 2
Game 4 - Bears claim victory in Double OT to Advance to Semifinals
by: Brad Johnson
04/19/2002
Kelly Fairchild scored the game-winning/series clinching goal just 1:14 into the
second overtime to give the Hershey Bears a 3-1 series victory over the Norfolk
Admirals. The Admirals won game one of the contest in Norfolk before
losing three straight contests and being eliminated from postseason for the
second year in a row by the much hated Hershey Bears.
The Admirals opened the scoring in the first period on a power-play goal by Jim
Campbell; his third of the series. Vern Fiddler and Casey Hankinson
battled with a defender behind the goal of Philippe Sauve, Hankinson sent a pass
to a wide open Jim Cambell who took a quick wrist shot from the side of the net
to deflect the puck off the pad of Sauve and into the net for a 1-0 lead at 8:59
of the frame. The goal came on just the Admirals third shot on goal.
The Admirals held a 1-0 lead through two periods of play, and despite the
Admirals being outplayed by a more determined Bears club it appeared as if
Leighton was the brick wall and salvation that Norfolk would need to force a
game five. It wasn’t even close to being over, the Bears were dominating
the game with their offensive pressure the Admirals defensive kept them in-check
until the opening minutes of the final stanza. At 4:34 Yuri Babenko
fired a slap shot that had eyes along the ice through traffic that found its way
to the back of the net just inside the post for his first of the playoffs, to
put the teams in a 1-1 deadlock.
After Regulation the Bears had an impressive 33-18 edge in shots, including just
two shots for the Admirals in the middle frame, with the majority of the
opportunities coming point blank and off off odd-man rushes. Despite the
lack luster of offensive fire power in recent games for the Admirals, they had
several missed opportunities and a number of chances to put the puck in the net
but just couldn’t get a stick on it.
The biggest scare of the season for Admirals fans came when goaltender Craig
Andersson led the Blue and Gold out onto the ice and took his place between the
pipes for overtime…. It wasn’t learned until after the game that due to the exhaustion
of Michael Leighton he became dehydrated and was given an iv-drip during the
third intermission but simply couldn’t go on anymore. I want to thank in part
Hershey Park Arena for it’s lack of an air conditioning unit on the early
dismiss of Leighton and the Admirals from the postseason.
The Bears came out firing on all cylinders in the opening overtime frame out
shooting the Admirals 15-11, and carrying all the momentum. Craig
Andersson held the Bears scoreless, despite looking extremely shaking the entire
period, in defense of Andersson I was in attendance for this contest and he made
several impressive saves, in my opinion it was in large part of the heat and exhaustion
of everyone on the ice that led to the collapse of the Admirals defense.
The Admirals defense had several chances to clear the puck out of the zone but
were determined to control and pass it up in their own zone instead of making
the easy play of chipping it out along the glass or boards, the defensive
miscues resulted in atleast a half of dozen prime scoring chances to clinch the
series, Andersson stood on his head as he appeared to settle down as the clock
ticked down, he played the period of his life and forced a dranatic
double-overtime.
As the intermission ticked down towards the start of the fifth period, it was a
crazy atmosphere as I looked around ( remind you we’re at a hockey game) to see
people with their jerseys off, eating cups filled with Italian ice, ice cream
cones melting away in the hands of youngsters, and the craziest thing of all….
sweat, yes that’s right sweat dripping down the faces of almost everyone in the
arena because of the hot humid temperature inside the building. The
heat began to build as the third period came to a close, midway through the
overtime frame it was quite apparent that a fog was lifting over the ice, it was
amazing to see, but some must wonder was it just a coincidence or was it the
ghosts of the old barn once known as the Hershey Sports Arena coming for one
last visit.
On with the second overtime, 1:14 into the fifth period it was all over…
Kelly Fairchild took care of another admirals defensive miscue as the visitors
failed to clear the zone, Fairchild sent a shot that slid across the ice and
found its way through traffic and past a screened Craig Andersson for the
series clinching goal. Andersson made a ridiculous but desperate diving
attempt towards the biscuit as he saw the puck sliding slowly over the goal
line, unfortunately he wasn’t in time and the announced crowd of 4,690 minus the
handful of Blue and Gold faithful in the stands came rising to their feet.
Game Notes:
Despite the loss Michael Leighton and Craig Andersson combined for 47 saves in
the contest.
Jim Campbell (3g,1a) and Vern Fiddler (1g,3a) finished with tied for the
Admirals in postseason scoring with four points in four games.
Vaclav Nedorost led all players in this series in scoring with five
points. (2g,3a)
The Bears defeated the Admirals for the second consecutive season in the
playoffs.
Vaclav Nedorost
Boxscore:
------------------------------------------------ Norfolk 1 0 0 0 0 --1 Hershey 0 0 1 0 1 --2 ------------------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Norfolk, Jim Campbell 3 (power play) (Vern Fiddler, Casey Hankinson)8:59. Penalties: V Zelepukin, Nor (roughing), 4:45; T Hansen, Her (interference), 8:38; R Ndur, Nor (cross checking), 11:31; J Campbell, Nor (hooking), 19:14.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: D Smith, Her (interference), 5:26; M Henderson, Nor (goalie interference), 15:22.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Hershey, Yuri Babenko 1 (Matt Herr, Yevgeny Lazarev),4:34. Penalties: D Tolkunov, Nor (tripping), 12:18; J Obsut, Her (tripping), 13:36.
OVERTIME -- Scoring: None.
SECOND OVERTIME -- Scoring: 3, Hershey, Kelly Fairchild 2 (Vaclav Nedorost, Tavis Hansen),1:14.
Shots on goal: ------------------------------------------------- Norfolk 7 2 9 11 0 --29 Hershey 11 7 15 15 1 --49 -------------------------------------------------
Power-play Conversions: Norfolk - 1 of 3 Hershey - 0 of 5 Goalies: Norfolk, Michael Leighton (33 shots, 32 saves), Craig Andersson (start of 4th period, 16, 15; record: 0-1-0). Hershey, Philippe Sauve (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 3-1-0) Attendance: 4,690 Referee: Chris Lee. Linesmen: Jim Doyle, Leo Boylan.
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS
NORFOLK HERSHEY
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
P White 0 0 -1 3 V Nedorost 0 1 +1 5
M Henderson 0 0 even 2 R Thompson 0 0 +1 1
M Peluso 0 0 -1 4 B Clark 0 0 even 2
C Hankinson 0 1 -1 0 D Smith 0 0 even 1
J Leroux 0 0 even 0 S Moore 0 0 even 0
T Jones 0 0 even 1 J Krestanovich 0 0 even 3
V Zelepukin 0 0 -1 1 J Obsut 0 0 +1 3
N Baumgartner 0 0 even 0 Y Babenko 1 0 +1 4
A Baines 0 0 -1 1 J Daw 0 0 even 1
V Fiddler 0 1 even 2 K Fairchild 1 0 +1 10
K Huskins 0 0 even 2 M Herr 0 1 +1 4
Q Laing 0 0 even 1 J Paul 0 0 +1 2
J Holperl 0 0 even 3 C Maclean 0 0 even 2
R Ndur 0 0 even 0 M Kuleshov 0 0 even 2
S Thornton 0 0 even 2 Y Lazarev 0 1 +1 3
D Tolkunov 0 0 -2 2 K Timmons 0 0 even 4
J Aitken 0 0 -2 3 B Thompson 0 0 +1 1