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[triswykes]

Did you watch the Lightning's loss to the visiting Devils last night? Oy vey.

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Hockey Odyssey, a half-hour magazine show on NHL Network, is airing an episode chronicling a day in the life of the Calder Cup, tonight (Monday, Nov. 24) at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The episode was filmed during the Calder Cup Finals in Wilkes-Barre back in June.

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More on the NY Islanders' goalie coach from Trinidad. Turns out his first NHL student was former ECHL Admiral Steve Valiquette. `Tis a small world.

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San Jose Sharks alternate jersey is pretty dope. But then, with those colors and that logo, it would be hard to mess it up.

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The AHL web site has a feature up on Admirals defenseman Daryl Boyle.

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Ah, the latest episode in ``As the Amerks Turn''...

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Odds 'n ends from a trip to the rink today...

*The souvenir stand will soon be selling a really cool set of 5 pucks honoring the Admirals' 20th anniversary. There's one with the anniversary logo and four others with pictures of standout players from the past. I just took a quick look at them and only recall Rod Taylor and Ajay Baines. I want to say Victor Gervais was on one, but don't hold me to it. You can also buy a case to display the pucks in. All in all, it's a great-looking item.

*Admirals coach Darren Rumble said he feels Steve Downie's 3-game suspension for boarding a Worcester Shark last week was made because of Downie's reputation as much as for the actual foul. Downie, whose history is filled with discipline issues, received a boarding major but nothing more after the foul and Rumble said he may try and speak to the AHL's supervisor of officials and ask him to give Downie more rope.

``We're trying to get the kid to play hard and clean,'' Rumble said. ``But the kid's scared to hit people in some situations because he knows how he's looked at.''

To which I recall the old line about it takes only a moment to earn a reputation but years to change it.

*Good to see Admirals equipment manager Peter Henderson back on duty today after missing the recent road trip because of illness. Hendu even had his faux grumpy persona working, barking at Rumble when he decided to conduct an interview in his equipment room.

*I'm told the Admirals are conducting skills competitions for local hockey players and will have the standouts perform during an intermission at Scope in the future.

* In a promotion I think is outstanding, Tara Wheeler, the current Ms. Virginia, will take shots as a goaltender during the first intermission of Saturday's home game and then (after dolling herself up) sign autographs on the concourse during the second intermission.

Tara played club ice hockey at Penn State and grew up playing in youth hockey organizations in Northern Virginia. That's her below and on the left and in goal for the Nittany Lions in the second photo. Here's a different shot of her and her personal web site is here.

I think you may be surprised at Tara's goaltending skills. Women's hockey is much better than the average sports fan realizes and goaltenders especially aren't too far off their male counterparts. I'm told the people shooting at her will be the Admirals' scratches that night. So if there's a stampede to the trainers' room after Friday's contest, we'll know what's up.

On a serious note, it's going to be great for all sorts of folks to see Tara perform as an athlete and then as a pageant winner. It's not only instructive for the little girls in the crowd, but also for those guys out there who would see Ms. Virginia as only a pretty face.

Here's a little more info on Tara, who even has a military connection, which is good for this region:

Miss Virginia 2008, Tara Wheeler, has lived life defining herself and encouraging others to do the same. She has been an ice hockey goalie since the 3rd grade, was the starting goalie for the Penn State Lady Icers and even got to try out for the women's Olympic team. While at Penn State she was also an Air Force Cadet, completing officer boot camp at the top of her flight, earning her the opportunity to fly a trainer jet. She received an honorable discharge from the Air Force Reserves in 2006.

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The Admirals' Steve Downie is serving a 3-game suspension for boarding an opponent last week. John Wright photo.

[triswykes]

New web address and a new look for WBS beat man Jonathan Bombulie's blog. He is totally plugged into that franchise and gets his readers the info they want every day.

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The Augusta Lynx lost 12-0 to Florida recently and after the eighth goal, all five Lynx on the ice, including former Admiral Chris Lawrence, jumped their opponents when the puck dropped. I like a good scrap but that's just wrong. I hope the ECHL office dishes out some suspensions on that one. Included on the link above is video of the melee.

Photo here of former Admiral Brent Henley going airborne for the Lynx, who lost all three games last weekend. Things aren't going so well from top to bottom in the Lightning organization.

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You think the Admirals' equipment takes a beating? Check out this shot of early roller hockey. Another cool shot, this one of real hockey. Man, check out those boards.

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The Syracuse Crunch knows how the Lynx feel. They lost 14-2 the last time out. Beat man Lindsay Kramer details the carnage.

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Former ECHL Admirals coaching legend John Brophy will be inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in January. It should be the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, don't you think? Broph and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things but the man deserves to be in the HHOF. Below is the release detailing Broph's company for the induction.

Cullen, Brophy and Taylor to Be Inducted Into ECHL Hall of Fame

NORFOLK, VA – The Norfolk Admirals were proud to learn today that Admirals team founder and original owner Blake Cullen, Admirals original head coach John Brophy and Admirals all-time leading scorer Rod Taylor will be inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame. They will join Tom Nemeth as the second class of the ECHL Hall of Fame.

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As reported here a while back, Admirals forward Pete Zingoni had surgery on his broken wrist. He's due to return in mid- to late January.

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From the St. Petersburg Times:

In other updates, goaltender Mike Smith practiced and indicated he is ready to play. Karri Ramo was already sent down to AHL Norfolk, so at the very least, Smith will be dressed...

Lukas Krajicek said what the team called a lower-body injury was a left knee strain. He said he should be ready to play Wednesday, but Jamie Heward had not been sent back to Norfolk yet, and coach Rick Tocchet said he might wait till Wednesday to make a final call on Krajicek.

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Jonathan Boutin, who tended goal last season for Norfolk, has moved up from ECHL Victoria to AHL Manitoba. Karl Goehring, who was with the Admirals for a very short while last season, is now the Moose's No. 1 netminder. Manitoba hosts the Iowa Chops and former Admirals captain Ajay Baines this weekend.

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The Coyotes have new alternate jerseys and I'm ok with them. Not thrilled, wouldn't buy one, but they're not bad.

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It has to seem both unfair and galling to Admirals fans that just as their former parent club, the NHL's Blackhawks, start to get good, they've been replaced by a Lightning franchise that has put two losing clubs in Scope in as many years. A look at one blog shows the Hawks have no interest in trading former Admiral Dustin Byfuglien, while another, Kris Versteeg, is in the hunt for NHL rookie of the year.

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Forward Brent Henley Recalled to Norfolk


NORFOLK, VA – The Norfolk Admirals have recalled forward Brent Henley from their ECHL affiliate, the Augusta Lynx, Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced today.

Henley, 28, is a 6-foot-6, 258-pound defenseman-turned-forward from Coquitlam, British Columbia. Henley appeared in two games for the Lynx after being assigned on November 12 and was scoreless with two penalty minutes.

In four games with the Admirals earlier this season, Henley was scoreless with 51 penalty minutes.

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November 25, 2008


AHL ANNOUNCES SUSPENSIONS


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced that Norfolk Admirals forward Jay Rosehill has been suspended for four (4) games and Springfield Falcons defenseman Theo Peckham has been suspended for three (3) games as a result of their altercation prior to an AHL game between the teams in Springfield on Nov. 21.

In addition, both the Admirals and Falcons have been fined an undisclosed amount.

Rosehill will miss Norfolk's games on Wednesday (Nov. 26) vs. Springfield, Friday (Nov. 28) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Saturday (Nov. 29) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Sunday (Nov. 30) at Hershey.

Peckham will miss Springfield's games on Wednesday (Nov. 26) at Norfolk, Friday (Nov. 28) at Philadelphia and Saturday (Nov. 29) vs. Providence.

My question: Why does Rosehill get one more game? I've sent off an email asking the AHL office.

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Admirals fans pack the Penalty Box bar on Granby Street last weekend to watch their team in road action.

[triswykes]

Wyatt Smith Traded to Phoenix


TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Tampa Bay Lightning, have traded forward Wyatt Smith to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for future considerations, Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced today.

Smith, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound native of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, had played in 18 games with the Admirals this season, recording three goals and eight points. He is a veteran of 211 NHL games with the Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. Smith has amassed 10 goals and 32 points in those games. He has also played in five career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Admirals will return to Scope with three games this week centered around Thanksgiving: tomorrow versus the Springfield Falcons, and Friday and Saturday versus the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

My take: Smith seemed utterly detached while he was here. I can remember standing in a hallway in the Grand Rapids arena after Norfolk had lost for the third time in three days and he was casually talking with the Griffins' Landon Wilson. Didn't seem upset in the least. Maybe he was inside, but there were a few other little indicators that he wasn't exactly thrilled to be here.

Now, where's he going? To the San Antonio Rampage, who are even worse than the Admirals. Hopefully he can score an even-strength goal, which he didn't do here. Bon voyage, Smitty.

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Jason Chaimovitch at the AHL indicates that the Admirals' Jay Rosehill got one more game in suspension length than his Springfield counterpart because Rosehill was judged to have instigated the fight.

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This has nothing to do with hockey but I find it amusing nonetheless...

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed two pitchers from India. Yes, that's right. Even stranger, they now have a blog. It reads like a prank, but I'm told it's real. Truth is truly stranger than fiction. Anyone remember Sid Finch?

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Lightning Reassign D Jamie Heward to Norfolk


TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned defenseman Jamie Heward to the Admirals, Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced today.

Heward, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defenseman, skated on Sunday in Tampa Bay against the New Jersey Devils, going scoreless with three blocked shots. The 37-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, has now played in four games with the Lightning this season, including two during the Bridgestone NHL Premiere in Prague in October. He tied his career high for assists in a game with two on October 11 against Carolina. He recorded two shots on goal and four penalty minutes along with the two assists this season.

Heward has skated in 12 contests for the Admirals this season, scoring five goals and seven assists with 16 penalty minutes. Four of his goals and six of his assists have come on the power play. Heward ranks in the top ten of AHL scoring by defensemen and registered a goal and two assists on Friday in Springfield to run his point streak to an Admirals season-high seven games (4G, 6A).

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Here's an article on Admirals defenseman Matt Smaby by a hockey newspaper from his native Minnesota. Tip o' cap to Admirals PR maven Keith Phillips for sending the link our way.

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Notes on a couple of former Admirals from the Chicago Tribune's game notes for tonight's clash between the Blackhawks and the host San Jose Sharks:

Defenseman James Wisniewski, who hasn't played this season following off-season knee surgery, is with the team and participated in Wednesday's morning skate. Injured winger Dustin Byfluglien, who has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, also skated and stayed on the ice after his teammates left to get in extra work. He will not play against the Sharks but may return Fridiay afternoon in Anaheim.

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Latest Admirals notebook is up on the Lightning's web site. In it, Admirals coach Darren Rumble discusses the struggles of defenseman Vladimir Mihalik.

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It is with great sadness that I note the death of former Daily Press writer Warner Hessler. The Mississippi native played football for the Ole Miss Rebels and served in the military before covering the NHL's Buffalo Sabres for the Buffalo News for many years.

Warner moved down here and covered the birth and highest success of the ECHL Admirals. He sat next to me for several seasons beginning in 1999 and was extremely gracious to the new man on the beat. Warner left the Daily Press some years ago and had been working in automotive sales on the Peninsula. He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and died Tuesday. He was 66.

Warner, you were first-rate and a pal. Rest easy, my friend.

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I'm no Sherlock Holmes but when a giant photo of Grant Potulny in an Admirals jersey suddenly appeared on the Scope video board about 5:20 p.m. today, I figured something was up. Turns out he was shipped here from San Antonio as the ``future considerations'' for Wyatt Smith. Technically, they weren't traded for each other, but they might as well have been.

Potulny's a former Minnesota Golden Gopher, famous for scoring the winning, overtime goal in 2001 to give the U. its first national title in more than 30 years. He was a fifth round draft pick by Ottawa in the 2000 NHL entry draft but he's mostly been an AHL plugger with a decent scoring touch.

Potulny (below) also doesn't count as a veteran for AHL roster purposes, which is a nice plus. And how about this? His brother, Ryan, also a onetime Gopher, is here tonight playing for Springfield, so the siblings can go against each other on the ice.

[triswykes]

Had a nice chat with newcomer Grant Potulny after Wednesday's game. He said he began the season in Germany because he'd had friends who had enjoyed playing there and because the money is a step up from that in the AHL.

However, his 3-year old son has asthma and it became much worse when the Potulny family was placed in an apartment with smokers living below them. The smoke filtered up through the air vents and soon Grant's son was having to use an inhaling device twice a day to maintain normal breathing.

Grant said he told the team if something wasn't done about his living arrangements, he and his family would return to the U.S. They didn't respond the way he wanted and so his wife and kids returned to Minneapolis and Grant, who had a contract waiting from the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes, went to their AHL farm team in San Antonio.

His family should join him soon. Let's hope the seaside air agrees with his son better than that in their previous situation.

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I asked Norfolk coach Darren Rumble why he played Vladimir Mihalik at forward instead of his customary defense last night. He said with Steve Downie and Jay Rosehill suspended and Jason Ward having just driven back from Tampa with a carload of belongings, the Admirals would have been down a forward unless one defenseman moved up. Mihalik, who's struggled on the blue line this season, got the nod.

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Rosehill was suspended four games for his part in a pregame altercation in Springfield last week. After last night's game, he told me his side of the story.

Rosehill said he wasn't sure what started the two teams massing at center ice, but that when he got there, the Falcons' Theo Peckham was mouthing off and Rosehill took exception. Eventually, Peckham shoved Rosehill hard and took a stance as if he wanted to fight. So Rosehill dropped the gloves and ``began working him over''. However, Peckham covered up and never dropped his gloves, leaving Rosehill having not only thrown the first punch but also looking like he'd jumped an opponent not expecting a fight.

Rumble said when he watched video of the incident and saw that the fight took place on the Falcons' side of the red line, he knew the Admirals were going to take the worst of the punishment. Sure enough, Peckham only got a 3-game suspension.

Rumble said he ``loves intensity and intimidation as much as the next guy but when it get to pregame altercations, there are fines involved. If that continues, they're going to start coming out of the players' pockets.''

Rosehill said Norfolk GM Mike Butters told him his personal fine had been taken care of by the team. Rosehill also added, with a laugh, that Admirals captain Zenon Konopka tends to take verbal shots at opponents during warmups, and that has a lot to do with why Norfolk has had pregame hostilities three times this season.

Both Rosehill (below) and Rumble noted, however, that the first two incidents, against Rockford, had much to do with IceHogs enforcer Sean McMorrow trying to intimidate the Admirals.

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While I was scribbling down some Brandon Bochenski quotes in the locker room after the game, he asked Jamie Heward how many days he was paid at the NHL rate during his recent promotion to Tampa Bay.

``Two?'' asked Bochenski, and then he hooted when Heward gave a big grin and flashed four fingers. That should tell you the difference in pay between the AHL and NHL when you're on a two-way contract. I'd be willing to guess Heward earned as much in those four NHL days as he did in the previous two weeks at this level.

I remember sitting with former Admirals center Peter White one day and listening to him talk about how ticked off he was that Chicago had sent him down with two weeks left in the NHL season. That move cost him something like $30,000, I think. Whatever the exact figure was, I remember being jolted by it. Those guys make crazy cash in the big leagues, plus daily meal money that lets them eat like kings.

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Rumble said Jason Ward was back in enough time last night that he could have played, but he gave him the night off because he'd been traveling the past few days. Ward, who began the season with Tampa Bay, must have gotten some sort of indication he's not headed back there anytime soon, for he flew down there and then drove his vehicle back so he'd have it up here.

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Former Admirals enforcer and current Tampa Bay Bolt David Koci took it to the Rangers' Colton Orr last night, the Tampa Tribune reports.

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Consider for a moment the 1996-97 St. Louis Blues. No, I'm not being paid by Tony Mercurio to ask this of you.

Former Admirals coach Trent Yawney played on that squad. His teammates included Brett Hull, Al MacInnis, Grant Fuhr and Chris Pronger, all current or future Hall of Famers. Also on that team was legendary fighter Tony Twist as well as Jim Campbell and Chris McAlpine, two youngsters who would eventually play for Yawney on the Admirals. Oh, and future Edmonton Oilers coach Craig MacTavish was on the roster, as was tough guy Mike Peluso, cousin of the Mike Peluso who would later play for Trent in Norfolk.

Hockey's a small world.

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Lightning Recall RW Steve Downie and D Matt Smaby from Admirals


TAMPA BAY, FL – The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have recalled right wing Steve Downie and defenseman Matt Smaby from the Admirals, it was announced today by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Brian Lawton.

Downie, a 5-foot-10, 192-pound native of Newmarket, Ontario, was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia on November 7. He has skated in 10 AHL games between Philadelphia and Norfolk this season, tallying a goal, 12 assists and 51 penalty minutes. In his AHL career, Downie has appeared in 32 games scoring six goals and 24 assists for 30 points to go along with 165 penalty minutes.

Downie 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.

The 21-year-old 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. Downie was originally drafted by Philadelphia in the first round, 29th overall, at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Smaby, a 6-5, 220-pound native of Minneapolis, has skated in 17 games with Norfolk this season, recording a goal, two assists and 22 penalty minutes. The 24-year-old has appeared in 141 career AHL games with Norfolk and Springfield, tallying four goals, 21 assists and 131 penalty minutes.

Selected in the second round, 41st overall by the Lightning at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Smaby made his NHL debut with the Lightning in 2007-08, skating in 14 games. Smaby played three seasons for the University of North Dakota (2003-04 through 2005-06), captaining teams that reached the NCAA Frozen Four in consecutive seasons.

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Admirals Recall F Mathieu Curadeau from IHL Fort Wayne


NORFOLK, VA – The Norfolk Admirals have recalled forward Mathieu Curadeau from the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL, Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced today.

Curadeau, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound native of Montréal, Québec, has appeared in 13 games for the Komets and leads the team with 12 goals – including five power play markers. His 19 points rank third on the squad and he also has seven assists and 14 penalty minutes with a +2 rating.

Curadeau attended Admirals training camp and appeared in three preseason games, scoring one goal and one assist with six penalty minutes and six shots on goal. Curadeau signed an AHL Standard Player's Contract with the Admirals on August 27 and was assigned to Fort Wayne on October 6.

The 23-year-old is now in his second full professional year. Last season, he ranked second in goals and fourth in scoring with the Komets and helped them win the IHL's Turner Cup Championship. He also made his AHL debut in January, skating in one game with the Worcester Sharks.

Curadeau scored 37 goals and added 62 assists in 236 career junior games in the QMJHL between Val d'Or, Acadie-Bathurst and Gatineau. He also skated in 11 games with the University of Ottawa, tallying three goals and eight assists.

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From a Worcester Sharks notebook in today's paper from that city: ``Kyle McLaren, still feeling the effects of being boarded by Steve Downie in the Norfolk game, missed his third straight game.''

Also in Sharks Land, they've signed Claude Lemieux.

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From today's St. Petersburg Times:

So it appears (former Admiral) David Koci hit New York's Colton Orr so hard with a couple punches Wednesday night, he broke a hand and is out two to four weeks. Wing Matt Pettinger sprainedd a ligament in his right knee and is out for two to four weeks. Defenseman Marek Malik sustained a lower-body injury against New York and is questionable

The corresponding moves, with Koci and Pettinger presumed on injured reserve to clear roster space: right wing Steve Downie and defenseman Matt Smaby from AHL Norfolk were called up. Tampa Bay also put wing Jason Ward on recall waivers and Norfolk defenseman Andrew Hutchinson on regular waivers.

I have to admit I'm not sure what Hutchinson's situation means. Ok, so Ward seems headed back to Tampa, but is that also what they're trying to do with Hutchinson? What if some other club takes him? Should be interesting.

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Sounds like the Augusta Lynx, ECHL affiliate of the Lightning and Admirals, are on very shaky ground. The Bolts would have to scramble to find homes for the likes of Chris Lawrence, Riku Helenius and Kevin Quick if the franchise dies in mid-season.

Speaking of prospects, the Lightning and every NHL team hope they don't see photos like this one, allegedly of a Flyers' top prospect. Not so good.

[triswykes]

Lightning Recall D Andrew Hutchinson

TAMPA BAY, FL - TheTampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have recalled defenseman Andrew Hutchinson from the Admirals, it was announced by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Brian Lawton

Hutchinson, 28, is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman from Evanston, Illinois. He has appeared in 20 games with Norfolk this season, recording a goal, 13 assists and 14 penalty minutes. He has points and assists in his last five games with the Admirals and is currently tied for fourth in scoring among AHL defensemen.

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The St. Petersburg's Damien Cristodero is presumably being funny with this on his blog:

Feel free to exhale: Hutchinson clears waivers

D Andrew Hutchinson cleared recall waivers from Norfolk and is on the roster. He had to clear them because of the amount of his NHL salary.

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Hutchinson played for Tampa Bay today in its loss to Minnesota. He played roughly 14 minutes, had one point and was a minus-3. Welcome back to the big time, baby.

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The Central League's Odessa (Texas) Jackalopes have an, uh, interesting Thanksgiving Jersey this year.

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While doing an interview with his WBS countepart, Admirals radio man Pete Michaud described the play of Karri Ramo as ``medicore at best'' and pointed out his 3.51 GAA is worse than what he had with NHL-worst Tampa Bay last season - 3.03. Ramo's save percentage is .888. Ugh.

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WBS started two former Admirals (Danny Richmond, Adam Henrich) tonight. Henrich is a startling minus-8 in just five games coming in. That's hard to do. Ben Lovejoy is another Baby Bird who once played here. Admirals captain Zenon Konopka is a former Penguin.

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Albany beat man Phil Janack has missed only one River Rats home game in more than 15 seasons of covering the team. Can you imagine that? All those losses, all those surly, disappointed players and coaches, all those nights in the sewer known as the Times-Union Arena.

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Bingo reporter Michael Sharp caught up with former AHL tough guy Dennis Bonvie, now a scout for the Maple Leafs. Here's what the former Admirals fan target had to say:

"It's been really good," he said. "It's not easy when you're done playing. I played it for a while, and just basically quit cold turkey. But to still be involved in the game, and given the opportunity I'm given with Toronto, it's been great. I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

"But, you know, it's different. Used to get up, and get on a plane or get on a bus, and they'd take you places. Now you've got to find (it) there yourself, and so it's been a little bit different that way. You're on the road for extended periods, and you're home for extended periods. But it's been really good, and something I've really enjoyed."

Bonvie, who is living back in Canada now, estimates he's attended about 40 games so far this season. A lot of those were at the NHL level, he said, adding: "I'm starting in the AHL now a little bit."

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Highlights from a 2001-02 Admirals season game against visiting Chicago were just show on the center ice video board during tonight's second intermission. My most striking impression? Man, Craig Anderson had a lot more hair back then.

At any rate, it was great to see the likes of Rumun Ndur, Mike Souza, Peter White, Ajay Baines (fighting!) Mike Peluso and, of course, the legendary J.Y. Leroux. I'm all verklemped. Discuss amongst yourselves for a minute.

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The latest on the endangered Augusta Lynx from the Augusta Chronicle:

The Lynx can be thankful just to have a team at this point. A report that the team was folding on Wednesday turned out to be untrue, but Lynx co-owner and general manager Dan Troutman did acknowledge that the team is facing some financial hardships and a news conference on the issue is scheduled for 4 p.m. today.

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Not only are the Lynx teetering on extinction, they're also involved in a messy child mauling investigation, linked to the mascot photo below.

[triswykes]

Lightning Reassign D Matt Smaby to Admirals


TAMPA BAY, FL – The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned defenseman Matt Smaby to the Admirals, it was announced today by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Brian Lawton.

Smaby, a 6-5, 220-pound native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was recalled on November 27 and served as a healthy scratch November 28 at Minnesota. He has skated in 17 games with Norfolk this season, recording a goal, two assists and 22 penalty minutes. The 24-year-old has appeared in 141 career AHL games with Norfolk and Springfield, tallying four goals, 21 assists and 131 penalty minutes.

My take: the silver lining is he got a day or two of NHL pay. Other than that, what a drag. Also, Jason Ward is back after clearing recall waivers.

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Steve Downie created a breakaway, had it snuffed and then cross-checked the goal in frustration last night in Minnesota. Sounds about right. Skill and petulance, all in one mixture.

What's the over/under on how long before Downie does something significantly stupid in a Lightning uniform? I say 10 games and I'll take the under.

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If you didn't spend all your money yesterday on Black Friday, how'd you like to buy an ECHL hockey team? Yes, the Augusta Lynx are begging for capital and say they only have a few days to get a deal done if a savior comes forward. I just can't see the ECHL allowing a team to fold. It would be a severe public relations blow and I'd guess the league would run the team through the end of the season if need be.

Should that not happen, however, Admirals GM Mike Butters said placing Lighting prospects Kevin Quick, Chris Lawrence and Riku Helenius shouldn't be a problem. Acquiring players of that caliber is a no-brainer for virtually any ECHL team. Butters said he first became aware of potential trouble with the Lynx about three weeks ago when their affiliation payment was late. He said the Lightning were offered an ownership stake in the Augusta franchise but that the Bolts declined.

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Word is that Jamie Heward should be out tonight with a hand hurt by a shot last night. However, Matt Smaby's equipment hasn't shown up from the airlines yet and if it doesn't, Heward might have to dress. [Update: Smaby and Heward are dressed and Vladimir Mihalik is scratched. This just hasn't been a good month for the big Slovakian.]

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Mathieu Curadeau is wearing No. 21 tonight after debuting in No. 43 last night. Never let it be said that we're not on top of the big, breaking news on this blog.

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The Admirals' Jay Rosehill is out on the ice ``shooting'' against Ms. Virginia, Tara Wheeler, during the first intermission. The premise is that the more saves Wheeler makes, the more money is raised for childhood cancer treatment. Rosehill is clearly toning his shots way down after he was scoring regularly and public address announcer Terence Hill bellowed ``Come on Rosehill, you're killing kids out here!''

Oops.

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eBay notes: I've always said the Admirals' Brandon Segal has a baby face. On a similar note, why in the world is the Binghamton Senators' team shop putting up an Admirals' game-worn jersey for bid? And you, yes, you, could wear the same threads in which Jay Rosehill once sweated.

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The Admirals' radio crew has called some bad games the last season and a quarter, but at least they're not caught amongst Asian civil unrest like one celebrated hockey announcer.

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Speaking of Asian unrest, I had no idea Claude Lemieux had been playing in China, of all places. He made his Worcester Sharks debut last night and apparently didn't cheap-shot anyone in his first AHL game in 22 years.

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Finally, the photo below shows new Admiral Grant Potulny leaping for joy after scoring the overtime winner for Minnesota against Maine in the 2001 NCAA title game in St. Paul. I was about 20 rows behind the net where the goal was scored and that night remains one of the greatest of my life.

[triswykes]

You want to know how quickly things can turn for a hockey player's prospects? Last night, after Karri Ramo had allowed three soft goals in two periods, Admirals GM Mike Butters had PR man Keith Phillips on a press box computer and looking up flight options to get Helenius to Hershey.

I innocently asked what they were doing and Butters, who was eating a bag of peanuts, sarcastically said he'd give me one if I could guess.

Three goaltenders is never a good situation. No one can get enough practice time, let alone game time. What if McKenna wins today and then Wednesday? Now Ramo is still stewing over his bad performance and Helenius is wondering why he got called up if he's not going to play. But, I can't say I blame Butters for wanting another option. Should be interesting to see how it plays out.

Goaltender Riku Helenius Reassigned to Admirals

NORFOLK, VA – The Tampa Bay Lightning, parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned goaltender Riku Helenius to the Admirals from their ECHL affiliate, the Augusta Lynx, Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced today.

Helenius, a 6-foot-3, 202-pound goaltender from Palkane, Finland, appeared in two preseason games for the Admirals, going 1-1-0 with a 4.00 goals-against average and .840 save percentage. He did not play in a regular season game with Norfolk prior to being reassigned to Augusta on October 16.

The 20-year-old went 3-4-1 in his first eight games of North American professional hockey with the Lynx this season, posting a 4.41 goals-against average and .874 save percentage. He recorded his first Norfolk American pro win in his North American pro debut, stopping 44 of 46 shots on October 21 at Gwinnett.

Helenius appeared in his first North American season last year with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. He notched a 22-12-6 record in 41 games with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Helenius was originally drafted in the first round (15th overall) by Tampa Bay in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

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Someone told me when Andrew Hutchinson was called up recently and had to go through waivers that perhaps Tampa Bay was hoping someone would take him off their hands with a waiver clam. Looks like that might have been correct thinking. What a disasterous signing Hutchinson turned out to be for Tampa Bay. I wonder if they're still on the hook for any of his contract.

Lightning Acquire RW Lauri Tukonen from Stars

TAMPA BAY, FL– The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have acquired right wing Lauri Tukonen from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, it was announced by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Brian Lawton.

Tukonen, a 6-foot-2, 198-pound native of Hyvinkaa, Finland, has skated in 22 games with Lukko Rauma of Finland this season, tallying five goals, eight assists and 22 penalty minutes. Originally drafted 11th overall by Los Angeles at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Tukonen, 22, has skated in five career games with the Kings (2006-07 and 2007-08). He appeared in 185 career American Hockey League games with Manchester, tallying 36 goals, 103 points and 74 penalty minutes.

Tukonen skated in three World Junior Championships for Finland from 2004-2006, collecting Bronze Medals in 2004 and 2006. In 2006 he finished third in tournament scoring with three goals and 10 points in seven games. On July 21 he was traded to Dallas by Los Angeles in exchange for Richard Clune.

Hutchinson, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, skated in two games with the Lightning this season, averaging 14:43 of ice time. Signed as a free agent by the Lightning prior to the season, he appeared in 20 games with Norfolk this season, recording a goal, 13 assists and 14 penalty minutes. The 28-year-old native of Evanston, Illinois has appeared in 97 career NHL games with Tampa Bay, Carolina and Nashville. He has accumulated 10 goals, 33 points and six power-play goals.

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From Scranton beat man Jonathan Bombulie who was watching the game on the Net last night. I didn't see this and I don't recall ever seeing it done before. Funny.

Also, during a goalmouth scrum, Zenon Konopka took a drink out of Adam Berkhoel's water bottle. I don't think I've ever seen that before. What do you do if you're a Penguins defenseman in that situation? Do you take great offense? I mean, it's not, on its face, a terribly offensive act. The guy just took a drink of water. It's not like he put his lips on the bottle or spat it at someone. I think you just call him a name and move on to the faceoff.

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Article here on the Bruins' equipment manager, who was in WBS as their guy in recent years. It says the B's go through 10,000 practice pucks a season. Can that be possible? Seems very high.

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Admirals radio man Pete Michaud reports in the third period that Ty Wishart hasn't played since the first period and appears to have been benched. Scott Jackson is taking limited shifts and Brent Henley has been taking a regular turn on the blue line.

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The downward spiral of the Augusta Lynx continues. The Chronicle newspaper in that town headlines today's story as ``Lynx Fans May Have Attended Final Game''. I still don't see the ECHL letting the franchise shut down in mid-season. I hope Helenius packed all his stuff and brought it with him to Hershey, because he may not have a team to return to.

Butters went on with Michaud for the second intermission and said the owners of the Lynx own roughly a dozen car dealerships in Georgia and have been hit hard by the national economic downturn. He said he got a positive report from the team's GM recently, talking up the likelihood of a new owner.