Admirals get first shutout on the road

The Norfolk Admirals scripted a triumphant end to a difficult road trip Wednesday by blanking Worcester 4-0 at the DCU Center.

The victory snapped Norfolk's four-game losing streak and left the Admirals (22-34-2-5) with a 3-5-0-1 record on their season-long nine-game road trip. Norfolk will return to Scope on Friday to host Philadelphia.

Marc Denis stopped all 32 shots he faced to record the Admirals' third shutout this season and first on the road. The Admirals had allowed at least five goals in each of their previous four games.

Defenseman Matt Smaby scored his first goal of the season 1:44 into the game, and Radek Smolenak added his ninth to give the Admirals a 2-0 lead after one period. Bracken Kearns notched a second-period goal and Justin Keller connected late in the third period.

Norfolk's penalty kill shut down the Sharks on six power-play opportunities. The Admirals had surrendered seven power-play goals in their past three games.

The Admirals, who scored four goals in each of their four games against Worcester, improved to 3-1 against the Sharks this season.