NORFOLK (5) AT PHILADELPHIA PHANTOMS (6)

Despite Les Haggett's first two career AHL goals and a spirited third period comeback, the Admirals were defeated 6-5 on Sunday evening in Philadelphia.

Haggett's first career AHL goal in his second AHL game gave Norfolk the early lead in seesaw first period. Michael Blunden stole the puck in the attacking zone and sent it to Jordan Hendry at the left point. Hendry sent a blueline blast that Haggett re-directed past Phantoms' netminder Martin Houle at 2:39.

Philadelphia knotted the score at one-goal apiece on the power play. Alexandre Picard sent a shot past a screened Adam Munro at 5:16. The Admirals resumed the lead less than ten minutes later. After making a save, Munro sent a pass to Eric Meloche at the blueline to start a breakaway.

Meloche converted the opportunity by roofing the puck past Houle at 14:40. The Phantoms responded two minutes later. Picard sent another shot from the point that Munro stopped. However, B. J. Abel found the rebound and put it into the net at 16:47.

Another Philadelphia power play goal put them on top two minutes later. Pat Kavanagh attempted a cross-ice pass that deflected off a Norfolk defender's skate to Brent Kelly. Kelly shot the puck past an unsuspecting Munro at 18:48. The Phantoms took a 3-2 lead into the second period.

The Admirals briefly tied the game early in a wild second stanza. Blunden got the puck from a goalmouth scramble and sent a centering pass from behind the net to Haggett in the slot. Haggett put it past Houle at 4:10. However, Philadelphia took control of the game in the middle of the second period on the strength of two Tony Voce power play goals. Voce's first goal came off a one-timer while on a five-on-three power play at 12:11.

Twenty-two seconds later, Voce netted a backhanded tally with a one-man advantage. Tensions between the teams boiled over seconds later, and Munro and Houle were ejected from the game following fisticuffs at center ice. Corey Crawford took over between the pipes for the Admirals and Jamie Storr did likewise for the Phantoms at 12:45. The visitors trailed 5-3 heading into the final frame.

The Admirals found themselves trailing in the third period for a third consecutive game. However, as in the previous three games, they mounted a determined comeback attempt - this time starting with a Carl Corazzini power play goal at 7:27. Hendry got the puck to Corazzini at the bottom of the left circle. Corazzini sent a one-timer past Storr to draw the Admirals to within one goal of Philadelphia.

Seven minutes later, Pavel Vorobiev converted a shorthanded breakaway to tie the game at 5-5 with 5:39 left in the contest. However, Voce finished the hat trick with Philadelphia's fifth power play goal of the night at 18:53. Vorobiev nearly evened the score at six goals apiece with another shorthanded bid 14 seconds left. However, Storr fell on top of the puck just before it crossed the goal line to preserve a 6-5 victory for the Phantoms.

Corey Crawford was saddled with the loss despite allowing only one goal on ten shots. Jamie Storr picked up the victory and made 15 saves on 17 shots. Adam Munro stopped 17 of 22 shots and Martin Houle stopped 18 of 21 shots, but neither goalie received a decision.

Norfolk was 1-6 on the power play. Philadelphia was 5-12.

Three Stars:
1. Tony Voce - PHI
2. Les Haggett - NOR
3. Stefan Ruzicka - PHI