Admirals top Lowell to earn 2-game sweep

NORFOLK

On Friday, the Norfolk Admirals got it half right on special teams against Lowell. Saturday, they put it all together to complete a two-game sweep.

The Admirals scored twice on their previously dormant power play and all but eliminated the Devils' chances to do the same in a 2-1 victory at Scope.

The victory was Norfolk's third in four games.

After Friday's 4-1 victory, Norfolk coach Darren Rumble praised his team's penalty kill after it snuffed out all eight Lowell power plays. But he also criticized his players for giving the Devils that many chances, and he threatened to bench players who continued to take dumb penalties.

The message obviously got through. The Admirals were whistled for just two minor penalties in the rematch. Lowell failed to convert on its only power-play chance.

The Admirals have allowed only four power-play goals over their past eight games (35 kills on 39 chances).

Heading into Saturday's contest, however, Norfolk hadn't been getting much done with its own power play, either. The Admirals were 0-for-15 with the man advantage over their previous four games.

But the slump ended at 2:23 of the second period, when Blair Jones buzzed a slapshot from the left circle that clipped ex-Admirals defenseman Jay Leach and beat Lowell goalie Jeff Frazee.

It was Jones' fifth goal in his past three games and 16th of the season. The forward also had an assist Saturday.

Then at 17:16 of the second period and with the Admirals skating 5-on-3, Justin Keller broke a 1-1 tie with his 14th goal of the season. All of Keller's goals have come at Scope, and he has at least one goal in each of his past six home games.

Rookie goalie Riku Helenius made it stand up with another rock-solid performance, turning aside 26 of 27 shots to even his record at 7-7.

The Admirals hit the road to face Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at 5:05 p.m. today. It will be the Admirals' eighth game in 10 days.