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Admirals defensive stalwart Jamie Heward is out tonight with what the team is only calling a minor lower body injury. He's on the Norfolk bench tonight, clutching a program and shouting at the referees in Swedish.

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Former Admiral Jeff Miles scored for ECHL Charlotte last night in a 5-0 defeat of visiting Augusta.

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Do you really think anyone will vote for Chad Ackerman? Besides myself, of course.

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Onetime Admirals captain Ajay Baines has played in all 10 games for AHL Iowa but has no points and a minus-1 rating. Meanwhile, former Admirals fan favorite Pete Vandermeer is dragging his knuckles across the ice for Quad Cities.

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Ex-Norfolk player Kris Versteeg, now with the Chicago Blackhawks, leads the NHL in rookie scoring. A photo of Versteeg against Dallas is included in this photo gallery.

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NHL super-agitator Sean Avery (below), who used to visit Scope with the AHL's now-defunct Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, continues to rile teams up. This time it's Chicago.

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Speaking of being riled up, what is it that Worcester coach Roy Sommer does that so infuriates his peers? Remember a few years back, Norfolk's Mike Haviland scuffled with him and last night, Hartford's coaches tried to climb over the glass to get at him during a game. It's strange to me, because he's one of the best AHL coaches for the media to deal with. Then again, so was John Brophy much of the time. Sommer, you'll recall, once coached the ECHL's Richmond Renegades and has guided San Jose Sharks' AHL affiliates in Kentucky, Ohio and now Massachusetts.

Here's a paragraph from Worcester's P.R. recap of the game:

The final 8:14 of the third would not go without incident as both coaching staffs had to be separated by the linesmen and referee at 16:52. Head Coach Roy Sommer and Hartford Assistant Coach Pat Boller met between the two benches separated by a thin pane of glass and Brandon Sugden threw a water bottle at the Sharks coach and missed. Sugden would receive a misconduct at 16:52. At the final buzzer, fists went flying again as Frazer McLaren and Brett Westgarth fought Justin Soryal and Brodie Dupont. After the fights, the linesman had to hold back both benches as the finger pointing and jousting continued.

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The Grand Rapids Griffins are one of four AHL teams so far to hold Obama-McCain bobblehead doll nights. The concept is spreading like wildfire!

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Latest Admirals notebook is up on the Lightning site.

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You think things aren't so swell in Admirals Land? Sounds like it's worse with the storied Rochester Americans. The italicized grafs below are from the blog of Americans beat writer Kevin Oklobzija.

Friday: There is NO ONE here. The building is a ghost town. Take this crowd to the ESL Sports Centre and the main rink there would also look empty. This is my 24th year covering the Amerks and I’ve never seen a home crowd so small. They announced attendance is 2,135. I doubt there’s 800 people here. Halloween or not, hockey fans always came to watch the Amerks on a Friday. Not anymore. It’s very clear: Last season’s disaster on and off the ice has virtually killed this franchise. How sad. How very, very sad.

Tonight: This franchise has fallen so far, and the city knows it. Based on the number of fans in the building right now, 35 minutes from game time, the crowd will be better than the 800 or so that came Friday. But not by much. The fans have spoken: with their wallets, purses and money clips. They’re not paying to watch a product that is not entertaining, exciting or competitive.

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If you listen to Admirals home radio broadcasts, you likely hear color man Pat Shetler talking about Geritol. Well, read all about it here.

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$5. That's all it will cost you to claim four Kyle Wanvig trading cards from eBay. Now that's value, ladies and germs.

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Admirals captain Zenon Konopka was a minus-3 in tonight's loss. So he's minus-10 for the season. That's unbelievable this early in the campaign. Thank goodness for Rochester's Shawn Matthias, who's a stunning minus-13. But Konopka's definitely near the bottom of plus/minus rankings in the AHL.

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That other newspaper across the water has a good comparison up, showing various Admirals numbers at this point in the season vs. those last season at the same point. It's a telling comparison but not a fun one to look at for the Admirals:

Overall record
Then: 3-6-0-1, 7 points. Now: 1-6-1-2, 5 points
Home record
Then: 2-2. Now: 0-3-1-1
Attendance average
Then: 4,033. Now: 3,124

That's a big ouch all the way around. Speaking of our friends at the Pilot, word is quite a few of them will be laid off before the new year begins. My condolances to those who get the ax. It's a tough time to be in this line of work.

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Bridgeport won in Binghamton on Saturday with the help of a disputed, final goal.

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The only thing in dispute about the Admirals is whether they'd beat the Rochester Americans in a game between cellar-dwellers from the AHL's two conferences.

Rockford comes to town this weekend with a really good team. Then it's on the road to New England for seven games. If you're fair and even a bit optimistic, you can see Norfolk getting a point out of the Rockford series and then, say, 6 of a potential 14 on the New England road trip, which has never been kind to this franchise.

That would have the Admirals with 12 out of potential 38 points in the season's first 19 games. Don't shoot the messenger.

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Let's speculate a little farther down the road...

The average number of points it's taken during the previous AHL seasons to reach the playoffs has been 85.

If we follow the thinking above about how Norfolk will do in the next month and guess that they'll have 14 points after 20 games, that means they'd have to earn 71 in the campaign's last 60 contests to have a decent shot at the playoffs.

Playing .500 hockey those last 60 games would have them finishing with 74 points. That's the 12 points from the first quarter of the season and 60 points from the last three quarters of the season.

So they'd need to earn the equivilent of 36 victories during the last 60 games to have a good shot at the playoffs.

It's certainly not impossible. But it's a steep, uphill climb and any forthright coach or player will tell you points are harder to come by in the second half of the season than in the first. Also keep in mind Norfolk plays in what's been either the toughest or the second-toughest division in the AHL in recent years.

If you threatened me with a man-eating crocodile and forced me to bet my mortgage tomorrow on whether or not the Admirals will make the playoffs this season, I'd bet no. It's the wager with the best odds at this point in time.

I hope I'm wrong. Happy players and coaches and front office types are infinitely easier to work with than unhappy ones. And you get to know those folks a bit over the course of a winter and you feel badly when they're slogging along.

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From the Admirals' PR staff, which is off to a sizzling start to the season:

ADMIRALS' LOG

· Norfolk has killed eleven consecutive opponent power plays.
· Norfolk held Portland without a power play goal in their two-game set (0-9). The Pirates had entered the set with the fourth-best power play in the AHL.
· Brandon Segal's two-goal performance on Saturday versus Portland was his second such game of the season, tying an AHL career high. Segal leads Norfolk with six goals and is ranked second with 11 points.
· Radek Smolenak is the only player in the AHL ranked in the top 35 of both points (9, T-31) and penalty minutes (60, T-3rd).
· Smolenak is well on his way to setting a new personal high for penalty minutes in a season. He already has 60 penalty minutes in just ten games this season. Last season, he set a career high with 108 penalty minutes in 56 games.
· The Admirals have out-shot their last three consecutive opponents after not doing so for their first seven games of the season.
· On Friday, the Rockford IceHogs will become the first Western Conference team to play at Scope since the Houston Aeros defeated Norfolk 3-1 on December 31, 2004, ending a stretch of 151 consecutive regular season home games played against Eastern Conference opponents.
· The IceHogs, current AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, have seven former Admirals on their roster as of November 3 – Bryan Bickell, Michael Blunden, Corey Crawford, Jake Dowell, Jordan Hendry, Rob Klinkhammer and Jack Skille. In addition, Rockford General Manager Mark Bernard was Norfolk's Vice President and Assistant General Manager in 2006-07 and 2007-08, and Rockford Assistant Coach Ted Dent was a Norfolk assistant coach in 2006-07. The Admirals were the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate from 2000-01 to 2006-07.
· Former Admirals forward Kris Versteeg ranks second in NHL scoring by rookies with ten points (2G, 8A) in eleven games for the Blackhawks. Versteeg is one of 11 former Admirals to have skated for the Blackhawks so far this season.

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Brief former Admiral Ryan Craig is back in the Bolts lineup.

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Those of you seeking answers to what's starting to resemble a train wreck need only tune in to 1310AM on Thursday from 6-7 p.m. That's when Admirals radio man Pete Michaud is scheduled to interview first-year GM Mike Butters on the call-in program ``The Admirals Hour''. (For a look at Mike and his role as a man trapped in a razor wire maze in ``Saw'', click here)

I can't get that station where I live, but I might have to drive into range. Could be some good queries.

The first ones that leap to my mind:

What could Chris Lawrence possibly be doing that's better than what Justin Keller was doing when Keller was exiled to Augusta?

Was Bracken Kearns the last good, hard-working player left in the ECHL? Surely someone ``down there'' has to be worth a tryout at this point.

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At least the Scope Zambonis have run well so far. It could be worse. Or catastrophic.

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Hershey broadcaster John Walton points us in the direction of a blog by former Bear and Washington Capital Ben Clymer, who's playing in Russia. Should be a good read if he keeps updating it regularly.

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Here's a list of AHL players to watch for NHL fantasy team owners. And no, Jay Rosehill's not on it.

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Kevin Oklobzija, our man on the scene in Rochester, reports former Admirals wing Karl Stewart is hurt and out for at least a week or two.

I was genuinely excited when Norfolk got Stewart last season because I'd loved watching him play all-out in the NHL the seasons before. Then he got here and to put it politely, wasn't exactly an impact player. He didn't show the fiesty style or the hustle I'd been expecting and he got grumpy halfway through the season and started trying ban the few media members who bothered to show up from parts of the Admirals' facilities.

Anyways, if you think I calls 'em as I sees 'em, you'll notice Oklobzija puts me to shame. Man, if he's this pointed at this stage, what's he going to be like in February?

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Lest you worry that the Admirals aren't going all out this week in an effort to snap their 7-game losing streak, the scene at Scope today proved otherwise.

The team had a lengthy practice broken into two parts, with a Zamboni resurface between them. During the second half, coach Darren Rumble and GM Mike Butters sat in a corner of the lower bowl's seats while Alan May ran a series of intense defensive drills. The players broke for lunch and returned in the afternoon to study video. Usually it's practice and they're gone, but not this week. They also had a practice Sunday, 15 hours after their loss to Portland the night before.

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Sexy in sweats and skates? You got it.

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A group of former Admirals gather for a final photo at the Houston airport in 2003 after being eliminated from the playoffs by the Aeros. (L-R) Back Row: Ajay Baines, Pete Michaud, Casey Hankinson, Shawn Thornton, Travis Moen, Igor Radulov, Mikhail Yakubov, Mike Peluso, Peter White. Front Row: Matt Henderson.

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So Admirals Media Czar Keith Phillips and I are watching practice today and oohing and ahhing over Zenon Konopka's antics. The captain, who is clearly more than a little irritated by his own horrible start and that of his team, decided he'd take it out on his mates today.

During a drill at one end where two nets and two goaltenders were in play along with four skaters, Konopka was a slashing, hooking, shouting menace. He and Juraj Simek had several battles, with one player hacking the other and then getting pushed from behind and over a sprawling goaltender in return.

Konopka became irate when goaltender Mike McKenna insisted he'd saved a shot and it hadn't trickled across the goal line. As he was skating away, Konopka hooked McKenna's skate, causing him to lurch backwards. It wasn't in jest, either. Then Karri Ramo did something to upset Captain Z and he got screamed at as well.

After practice, Konopka called the whole team together in a knot down at the far end of the ice away from the dressing room. The only thing we could make out was ``I don't like f*cking losing!'' and then it became unintelligible. But it was obvious that he was doing all the talking and his teammates were listening closely. Except for Wyatt Smith, who skated around in little circles a few feet from the pack.

The Admirals are still underdogs for this weekend's games, in my mind. But it appears Rockford's going to have a battle on its hands. The over/under on when the first fight takes place is 3:00 into Friday's tilt.

Other notes from practice were that IceFrogs president and former Admirals VP Mark Bernard is in town visiting his family and stopped by Scope this morning. And Norfolk defenseman Andy Rogers, who's sporting stitches near a corner of his mouth from a Tuesday on-ice mishap, got hit in the face by a puck again today, but didn't need another zipper. He was sure pissed, though, and whacked the boards with a two-hand slash. Oh, and McKenna got caught like a tuna when he fell back into his goal and a buckle on top of his mask snagged in the netting. Someone had to come and set him free.

Admirals came off the ice, rode the bikes for 15 minutes and then went straight into a video session. I'm told the Scope ice was so badly cut up after yesterday's workout that the cement showed through in spots.

Can't wait to see how this all plays out this weekend.

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McKenna asks that you please stop asking him when he's getting his Admirals mask, to replace the Portland Pirates one he's been wearing, left over from last season. I guess he's been deluged with such queries.

It seems he sent off an order to some Swedish mask painter in August and hasn't been served yet. It's not like he can hop in the car and go get it, and the Admirals aren't going to pay for a blank mask AND the painted one, so the Pirates bucket will have to do for now.

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Sounds like they raise 'em rough in Paul Szczechura's hometown of Brantford, Ont. But I just can't see Paul urinating on someone's leg.

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Feature up on the Lightning's site about how the Admirals are dealing with their current slump.

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WBS beat man Jonathan Bombulie notes that:

``Bridgeport plays an aggressive style, which makes them fun to watch. Colleague Mike Fornabaio notes that this is the first time Bridgeport is in first place since March of 04. I don't know if they can hang with Hershey in the long run, but they're definitely legit contenders.''

Did we mention the Admirals play in a tough division?

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John Hanna, who coached the first Tidewater Sharks team at Scope back in the 1970s, is in the Seattle Hockey Hall of Fame.

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Admirals standout Brandon Segal was thrilled to pose with his great-grandfather Mortimer during Saturday's post-game skate at Scope. Actually, that's Bart, a longtime member of the ice crew and a fountain of local hockey lore. Photo by John Wright.

[triswykes]

The five notes below are from the fantastic www.uniwatchblog.com site...

The Portland Pirates will be getting gussied up for Veterans Day. Can't decide if their togs are awful or awesome.

Some cartoon cheesecake to get you through the week. The product of Richmond artist Rob Ullman, whose site is fun to dig through.

Brown goalie pads are back! That's a Canadiens netminder in the photo.

Carolina Hurricanes' goaltender Cam Ward, last seen at Scope being pummeled by Michael Leighton several years back, has a bunch of mask designs pictured on the team's site.

Rockford's IceHogs come to town this weekend and hopefully their jerseys will bear this cute 'n cool alternate logo.

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A uniform note of my own: I will not divulge a source on this, but there are murmurings amongst Lightning folk that they'd like to change the Admirals uniforms to something more traditional and reflecting the Tampa Bay franchise. This, of course, is only the second season in the uniforms designed in large part by former VP Mark Bernard.

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Admirals captain Zenon Konopka sounds a little homesick for Syracuse in this blog entry.

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Didn't see this earlier in the week: ``Marc Denis of Hamilton is Player of the Week. He went 3-0-0 and stopped 96 of 99 shots for the week.'' Denis, of course, played here in Norfolk last season.

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See the italicized text down below for the St. Petersburg Times' note on this transaction.

Lightning Assign D Janne Niskala to Norfolk

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned defenseman Janne Niskala to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.

Niskala, 6 foot, 199 pounds, made his NHL debut with Tampa Bay this season. He played in six games with the Lightning, recording a goal and three points. Niskala scored his first career goal while on the power play on October 11 versus the Carolina Hurricanes. He recorded his first career assist on October 16 against the New York Islanders. Niskala averaged 13:42 of ice time per game, ranking eighth on the team among defensemen.

The native of Vasteras, Sweden recorded 19 goals, 44 points and 81 penalty minutes in 80 regular season games for the Milwaukee Admirals last season. He led Admirals defensemen in goals (19, second among AHL defensemen) and points (44, tied for 11th among AHL defensemen). Though born in Sweden, Niskala is a Finnish citizen and was the leading scorer among defensemen for bronze medal-winning Team Finland at the 2008 IIHF World Championships.

Prior to joining the Nashville Predators organization for the 2007-08 season, Niskala played parts of the previous seven seasons with teams in top European Leagues, including Lukko Rauma (Finland - 2000-01 through 2004-05), EV Zug (Swiss - 2005-06) and Farjestad (Sweden - 2006-07). He registered 72 goals and 92 assists for 164 points and 369 penalty minutes in 296 regular season games during his final six seasons in Europe (2001-02 through 2006-07). He has led his teams’ defensemen in goals in each of his past five seasons. He led Swedish Elite League defensemen in points with 49 (19-30) in 2006-07. Niskala was drafted by Nashville in the fifth round (147th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

It seems like a formality while defenseman Janne Niskala negotiates a deal with a European club, though it still is not clear where he might be going. In the interim, the Lightning has assigned Niskala to AHL Norfolk, though he will not report there, Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton said.

"Janne wanted to go back and skate with the (Finnish) national team," Lawton said. "So we will suspend him today."

The suspension is a formality so the Lightning no longer has to pay Niskala's $600,000 salary while he looks for a European destination.
"We don't have to suspend him, we could pay him and send him back there," Lawton said,. "But that wasn't our first option."

Niskala, unhappy with diminished playing time, and with his wife pregnant, asked to be moved, Lawton said. His contract allows a move to a European team, which will end the Lightning's financial obligation.

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Also from the St. Pete Times are Bolts GM Brian Lawton's comments below about his club. If you read them and then ponder that the Admirals soon leave for a 2-week road trip and seven games on the swing, it should be very telling if the will is there.

"The players address will on their own," Lawton said. "You can mask it for a while, but it generally comes out. Generally, when you have six games in nine nights it comes out. Generally, when you're on a five-game road trip, it comes out. Those are the types of situations that make it more difficult to mask those things."

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Properly chastised, one would think...

Forward Justin Keller Returns to Admirals


NORFOLK – The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned forward Justin Keller to the Admirals from the ECHL's Augusta Lynx, Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced today.

Keller, 22, is a 6'0", 181-pound forward from Nelson, British Columbia. He was originally assigned from Norfolk to Augusta on October 22 and put up four goals and an assist in four games with the Lynx. In two games for Norfolk to begin this season, the third-year pro registered one assist.

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Admirals media director Keith Phillips emails Thursday with this unhappy news:

Zingoni broke his wrist in practice yesterday and is out for this weekend. No word on how long the injury will keep him sidelined yet, as he will be seeing the doctor tomorrow.

First the groin and now the wrist. Zingoni is this year's Andy Rogers.

[Update: GM Mike Butters said on the radio show tonight that Zingoni suffered a spiral fracture and may have to undergo surgery, putting him out long-term.]

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Admirals defenseman Jamie Heward said this week he'll wait until late November or early December to see how he fits into Tampa Bay's plans and whether he'll jump to a European team. John Wright photo.

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Norfolk lines, pairings and scratches for tonight's tile with Rockford:

Smolenak-Szczechura-Segal
Simek-Smith-Jones
Keller-Konopka-Bochenski
Henley-Kearns-Rosehill

Mihalik-Hutchinson
Wishart-Heward
Smaby-Boyle

Ramo
McKenna

Scratches: Zingoni (broken wrist), Lawrence, Jackson, Rogers.

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A couple weeks back in Rockford, the IceHogs and Admirals skirmished at center ice before a game. It just happened again here at Scope (below). Much-penalized Sean McMorrow and Norfolk enforcer Brent Henley were in the middle of it, along with Norfolk's Jay Rosehill. Presumably watching with a pained expression was AHL VP Jim Mill, who's scheduled to be in the building for tonight's game.

Henley and McMorrow tangoed in Rockford, but Henley stumbled and went down early, so it wasn't really a fight. Something tells me there will be a rematch early in this contest.

[Update: They just went with three minutes gone. McMorrow chased Henley to in front of the home bench and they clinched and bent over the boards. Then Henley head-butted McMorrow, or at least in his direction, and that didn't make Rockford GM Mark Bernard very happy up here next to me in the press box. Jim Mill watches expressionless behind us as Henley is escorted off with a game misconduct for his head butt. Presumably, his crime will be reviewed by the league and there could be a suspension.

Fourteen seconds later, Brandon Segal is tossed for a hit from behind. Admirals now facing a long penalty kill. Not the start Darren Rumble wanted, that's for sure.]

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Good photo of Andrew Raycroft's ``Braveheart'' mask here. Great hockey fight picture with this story from Manitoba. Click on the small image to get a larger display.

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An oddity you don't see every day happened at Scope today. Norfolk equipment manager Peter Henderson is out sick, so his Rockford counterpart sharpened the Admirals' skates. An equipment man has to pretty much be flat on his back to entrust that job to someone else, so we wish ``Rabbi'' a speedy recovery. I see he's not on the bench to start the game.

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Latest Admirals notebook is up on the Lightning's site. Speaking of the Bolts, they just traded young defenseman Matt Carle today. Weird, because they seemed so high on him this summer.

The St. Petersburg Times reports former Flyer/Phantom Steve Downie, acquired in the trade, is headed to Norfolk. Downie has a history, including a 20-game suspension last season for running an opponent in the preseason. His arrival should be interesting, to say the least. I know he's not beloved by more than a few folks around the NHL and AHL. Then again, he put up four assists against the Admirals last week.

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Some great writing from Syracuse Crunch beat man Lindsay Kramer here:

Syracuse Crunch forward Derek Dorsett's hands look as if they were run over by an ice resurfacer. The fingers jut apart. His skin is nicked and scarred. Dorsett grins at them as if someone just pinned a medal to his chest.

"I feel good. My hands are pretty banged up. A little sore," he said after practice earlier this week. "Other than that, everything's fine."

The mangled mitts can be viewed as a toll the pot-stirrer paid for 10 fights (including preseason) with Columbus, where he paced the NHL with 56 penalty minutes before his demotion Monday. In a larger sense, their rawness reflects how tightly the second-year pro tried to hold on to a NHL roster spot.

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Word out of WBS is that former Admiral Adam Henrich is back skating after resting a bad knee for about a week. The Pens would like to see him grab the fourth line center job, says Scranton beat man Jonathan Bombulie. Thinking back, it sure seems like Henrich spends a lot of time in the training room for such a big, powerful guy.

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Here's an article about the NHL's idiotic injury-disclosure policy. Guess you can tell how I feel about it. If full disclosure works ok for the NFL, I think it's just fine for the NHL.

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The San Jose Sharks lead the NHL at 12-2 with former Admirals head coach Trent Yawney as an assistant. I saw him on the tube the other night when the Sharks were in Philly. He was still affecting the emotionless stance that irritated some fans here. But trust me, no one has more passion for the game; it's just hidden beneath a stoic exterior.

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The Daily Herald reports the Blackhawks have talked to aging free agent Brendan Shanahan. That would be an interesting signing. Meanwhile, former Admiral and current Blackhawk Adam Burish narrowly missed a 10-game suspension from Monday night's game and teammate and former Norfolk player Duncan Keith is somehow not on the All-Star ballot, despite skating in last year's game.

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With five minutes left in the second period, Scope section 113 is being evacuated because a lens shattered in a light in the ceiling above the seats. Folks being moved and yellow caution tape being spread out.

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Norfolk's Radek Smolenak on what happened when he collided with Rockford goaltender Corey Crawford behind the IceHogs goal late in the third period:

``There was no reason to do anything stupid and maybe get a suspension. Their guy came at me from behind and pushed me into their goalie on purpose. Then everyone just jumped on me.''

I'd say it's a safe bet they'll be looking to jump on him again tomorrow night.

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When sufficiently angered, Brent Henley's eyes go white and his head spins around. John Wright photo.

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Lightning Acquire RW Steve Downie and D Steve Eminger From Philadelphia


TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have acquired right wing Steve Downie, defenseman Steve Eminger and a fourth-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Matt Carle and San Jose's third-round pick in 2009 (previously acquired) today, Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Downie will report to the Admirals.

Downie, a 5-foot-10, 192-pound native of Newmarket, Ontario, has played in six games with the Flyers this year, recording 11 penalty minutes. He has played in 38 career NHL games, all with Philadelphia, recording six goals and 12 points. He also has one career shorthanded goal and one game-winning goal. Downie was originally drafted by Philadelphia in the first round, 29th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

The 21-year-old has played in 26 career AHL games with the Philadelphia Phantoms, scoring six goals and 19 assists for 25 points and 137 penalty minutes. Last season with the Phantoms, Downie averaged over five penalty minutes per game with 114 PIM in just 21 games.

Downie played in 190 career junior games with Windsor, Peterborough and Kitchener. He amassed 82 career goals and 234 points. He also appeared in 43 OHL playoff games, recording 18 goals and 53 points.

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Here's Downie's Wikipedia entry, complete with highlights and suspensions. More article and video links here. There's certainly no lack of background out there on this kid.

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Flyers blogger Tim Pannacio weighs in on the trade. He's no Downie fan, that's for sure.

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Former Admirals center Colin Fraser is doing well with the Chicago Blackhawks. I wasn't at all sure he'd ever stick in the NHL for any length of time, so it's great to see him getting ice time. Sunday's game between Chicago and visiting Calgary brings Flames and former Admirals Rene Bourque (9 points in 14 games) and Jim Vandermeer (31 PIM) back to the United Center.

More Hawks: The Canadian Press has an article on Chicago fans flocking back to the UC.

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Former Admiral Mike Brodeur made 30 saves and despite ex-Admiral Jeff Miles' goal for visiting Charlotte, the ECHL's Augusta Lynx won 4-3 last night. Augusta is tied for first place in its division and is by far the most successful of the three teams in the Tampa Bay system.

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Writes Rochester beat man Kevin Oklobzija, who's already covering what can be called a train wreck:

I’m thinking we’ve seen (coach) Benoit Groulx pull his goalie more in 11 games than (former coach) Randy Cunneyworth did in four years. I don’t have the exact numbers, but I really don’t recall Cunneyworth pulling his goalie mid-period three times. But Groulx has done that after yanking Tyler Plante tonight 12:41 into the game.

The players, goaltenders included, have absolutely no confidence. And when they keep playing teams that are vastly superior, they never will build confidence.

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From the always on-the-ball St. Petersburg Times:

No surprise that wing Jason Ward on Saturday was sent to AHL Norfolk. He had played just once in 12 games, and with 15 forwards on the roster, wasn't doing anything for anyone sitting on the bench. It also knocks another $675,000 off the salary cap.

(GM Brian) Lawton said it should not take long before right wing Steve Downie, who came with Steve Eminger in the Carle deal and was assigned to Norfolk, is with the Lightning.

[Update: Ward is here and wearing No. 16 tonight.]

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Lightning Girls!

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced that Norfolk Admirals forward Brent Henley has been suspended for two (2) games as a result of his actions in a game vs. Rockford on Nov. 7.

Henley received a match penalty for head-butting under AHL Rule 48.4.

Henley will miss Norfolk's games tonight (Nov. 8) vs. Rockford and Tuesday (Nov. 11) at Lowell.

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Our thoughts go out to Admirals equipment manager Peter ``Rabbi'' Henderson, who's hospitalized tonight. The Admirals aren't disclosing his exact situation but say he's doing fairly well, which is great to hear.

Henderson's absence, by the way, is why Downie, wearing No. 24, has a nameplate with a blue background and white letters. That's different from his teammates, but Henderson wasn't around to stitch it up, so his landlady, Petey Reynolds, did one up quick. Not a half bad job.

[Update: Downie's got a new, normal nameplate for the first period and Henderson is out of the hospital.]

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Former ECHL referee Brett Parson has certainly taken a different path after hanging up his zebra stripes.

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The Admirals and IceHogs waltz in the final seconds of Friday's game at Scope.