These were supposed to be the new Norfolk Admirals, better in every way than last season's forgettable club that deprived local fans of postseason play for the first time in 19 years. Instead, the 2008-09 Admirals bear a strong resemblance to their immediate predecessors, wallowing along with one victory in their first eight games and looking dazed and confused while doing so. On paper, this squad is infinitely better than last season's Admirals. But its 1-5-0-2 record is awfully familiar and the longer its struggles continue, the harder a climb up the standings is going to be.
Norfolk coach Darren Rumble looked a bit dazed after Wednesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the visiting Philadelphia Phantoms (3-5). Between questions from reporters, he stared vacantly into the distance as if he'd just been struck on the back of the head. But no, the blow had been delivered to his gut and he wasn't about to let the culprits off easy. "The guys who didn't show up tonight are stealing money,'' Rumble said, presumably referring to the likes of forwards Zenon Konopka, Brandon Bochenski and Chris Lawrence, who were benched for the third period. "We have guys playing with no heart and like they don't want to be here,'' the coach continued. "Jesus, that was embarrassing."
The Admirals allowed an opening goal for the seventh time this season, trailed 2-0 and 3-1, then rallied for 3-3 and 4-4 ties. However, the Phantoms held a 9-1 overtime shot advantage and won the game when Steve Downie's pass split defenders Vladimir Mihalik and Jamie Heward and was one-timed into the net by an onrushing Jared Ross with 14 seconds to play.
The Admirals are competent offensively but dreadful on defense. If not for the stellar play of goaltender Karri Ramo, they'd have given up a lot more than 37 goals, second-worst in the AHL as it is. It clearly pains Rumble, a former NHL defenseman. "You can go over all the strategy and Xs and Os you want, but if you don't care, it doesn't matter,'' he said. "I can't believe we call ourselves a professional team and play like that.''
The bright spot Wednesday was that Norfolk played with some jump in the third period, scoring three times to forge two ties. "Rumble said he shortened his bench to give more playing time to Admirals who were showing passion. "You hate to lose, but you'd rather do it with guys who give a rat's (behind),'' he said. "Tonight was a disgrace.''
Philadelphia opened the scoring in the 14th minute while on a power play. A Phantoms pass through the low slot caromed in off a defender's skate. The visitors went up 2-0 midway through the second period, courtesy of some nifty stickhandling. Philadelphia's Downie and Rob Bellamy broke into the Norfolk zone against defenseman Scott Jackson and Downie slowed through the right circle, drawing Jackson to him. At the last moment, Downie toe-dragged the puck back and around the rookie before feeding Bellamy, who easily scored at the left post.
The Admirals cut their deficit to 2-1 with a shorthanded goal four minutes before the second intermission. Pete Zingoni's slap shot from atop the right circle caromed off the pads of goaltender Scott Munroe and Paul Szczechura charged down the slot to jam home the rebound. Philadelphia took more air out of the Admirals and an announced crowd of 2,622 when it went up 3-1 a minute after Szczechura's goal.
With Norfolk killing a penalty, Konopka tried to skate the puck up the right wing of his zone instead of merely clearing the rubber into center ice. Jared Ross picked Konopka's pocket, fed Downie down in the corner and he in turn passed out front, from where Jonathon Kalinski scored. "I don't know what I was doing, trying to score from our own end when we had the momentum,'' said a disgusted Konopka, who has three points and a team-worst minus-7 rating in eight games. "I've never made bad decisions and had a slump like this before. The more I push, the more I struggle and I really don't know what to do.''
Heward brought Norfolk back within 3-2 by scoring a power play goal on a wrist shot from the point four minutes into the third period. Szczechura scored from close range two minutes later and the Admirals went on to take the stanza's first 11 shots and 15 of its first 17. Kalinski powered out of the right corner and past defenseman Andy Rogers to put Philadelphia up 4-3 with four minutes left in the third period. But Norfolk rallied again when Juraj Simek rushed down the slot and banged in a Blair Jones pass less than three minutes later.
The Admirals host the Portland Pirates (4-1) on Friday and Saturday, then conclude their homestand with games against Rockford (7-1) next weekend. After that, it's a two-week road trip to New England, a location that's never been friendly to the Admirals on extended journeys. Given that schedule, if the Admirals don't turn things around soon, their resemblance to last season's team will only grow stronger.
Three Stars:
1. Jared Ross – PHI
2. Paul Szczechura – NOR
3. Steve Downie – PHI
Notes … Szczechura's second period tally was Norfolk's first shorthanded goal of the season … Reigning Eddie Shore Award Winner (AHL Defenseman of the Year) Andrew Hutchinson netted two assists on the evening … The Admirals out-shot the Phantoms 35-33, marking the first time Norfolk has out-shot an opponent all season … Norfolk's three-goal third period matched its highest offensive output in a single period this season (10/24 at Rockford, second period) … As of the end of tonight's game, Paul Szczechura's 33 shots on goal (4th) and linemate Brandon Segal's 30 shots (T-6th) both rank in the top ten in the league … Szczechura also ranks in the top ten of AHL scoring with 10 points (T-10th) … Healthy scratches: D Matt Smaby, F Jay Rosehill, D Daryl Boyle ... Attendance: 2,622.
Material from an Admirals press release was used in this story.
I'll be back later to add my two pennies worth. Regards.
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