Barberio, Mark

Barberio rescues a point.

WBS- 2
NOR- 1 (SO)

Dustin Tokarski allowed 1 goal on 35 shots before allowing 2 of 5 shooters to convert to take the shootout loss.

First Period
NO SCORING

Second Period
NO SCORING

Third Period/
WBS Street, (8) (Potter, Wagner), 14:43
NOR Angelidis, (17) (Barberio, Vernace), 19:56 *AHL official scoring still lists Angelidis with the goal, though all reports say it was Barberio*

Overtime
NO SCORING

Shootout
WBS- Veilleux, Hutchinson
NOR- NONE

Tokarski and Mark Barberio were the game's second and third stars. Barberio's goal with under 4 seconds left saved them from the fate of a weekend of futility similar to the one Norfolk subjected Syracuse to just a couple of weeks ago.

The outlook in the standings seems to get bleaker by the game. Norfolk has fallen into a tie for 4th in the division with Binghamton and are 2 points back of Charlotte. If the playlets started tonight, Norfolk would have to crossover into the Atlantic Division bracket, where they hold a 7 point edge on Worcester with the Sharks still holding 3 games in hand.

Box score from TheAHL.com.

Tarnasky's revenge.

SPR-4
NOR-2

Dustin Tokarski allowed 3 goals on 25 shots for the loss.

First Period
NO SCORING

Second Period
SPR Mayorov, (12) (D'Alvise, Kubalik), 17:05
NOR Angelidis, (15) (Fornataro, Jones), 18:03
SPR Sigalet, (3) (Tarnasky, Byers), 18:53

Third Period
SPR Tarnasky, (5) (Frischmon), 12:09
NOR Barberio, (4) (Labrie, Harju), 13:59
SPR Guite, (8) (Calvert), 19:00 (EN)

Mark Barberio was named the game's third star, proving there is no BoltProspects cover jinx. BoltProspects Alumni Nick Tarnasky scored the game winning goal for Springfield. Norfolk outshot Springfield a sizable 43-26, but Norfolk couldn't crack pesky undrafted Swedish netminder Gustaf Wesslau to get the equalizer.

Norfolk pulls into the All-Star break 3 points back of Hershey for second place in the division with the Bears holding 2 games in hand.

Box score from TheAHL.com.

When he’s not picking up pucks after a morning skate or sweeping the bus after a road trip, Norfolk Admirals defenseman Mark Barberio is slowly making his way to becoming a NHL card-carrying member.

It's quite a change for Barberio, whose status as an American Hockey League (AHL) player was once in doubt. Norfolk coach Jon Cooper said Barberio was nearly headed to the Florida Everblades (ECHL) to hone his skills.

“He’s is the youngest player on the team at 20,” said Cooper, who is behind the bench in his first professional season after coaching in juniors. “We thought that maybe he should go to the ECHL to get some time there, but we had some injury troubles and it has worked out fortunately."

Norfolk learns its lesson and takes care of business in the second game of the set.

ALB-1
NOR-5

Cedrick Desjardins allowed just 1 goal on 27 shots for the victory. Desjardins raised his season save percentage to .900 with the effort.

First Period
NOR Fornataro, (10) (Barberio, Szczechura), 6:36 (PP)
NOR Barberio, (2) (Szczechura, Wright), 11:11
NOR Wright, (8) , 16:30 (SH)

Second Period
ALB Swift, (8) (Nagy), 8:07
NOR Wright, (9) (Szczechura, Quick), 15:59 (PP)
NOR Labrie, (4) (Wright, Wishart), 18:57 (SH)

Third Period
NO SCORING

James Wright, Mark Barberio, and Paul Szczechura were the game's three stars. Wright finished the game with 2 goals and 2 assists, with 1 goal and 1 assist shorthanded. He now has a very respectable 9 goals and 24 points in 30 games. Remember, this is his rookie AHL campaign, despite having played a half a season in the NHL last year. Barberio has 2 goals and 12 points in 23 games.

With Norfolk's win and Wilke-Barre/Scranton's loss to Syracuse, Norfolk moves back to within 4 points of the Penguins in the North Division, with both teams tied in the loss column.

Box score from TheAHL.com.

The Admirals get as big a win as you can get in early December.

NOR-7
WBS-4

Cedrick Desjardins allowed 4 goals on 33 shots for the big, big win.

First Period
NOR Fornataro, (9) (Wright, Milam), 5:20 (PP)

Second Period
WBS Tangradi, (9) (Potter, Wagner), 9:11
NOR Szczechura, (9) (Quick, Wright), 11:55
NOR Barberio, (1) (Jones, Berry), 12:45
NOR Milam, (5) (Wishart, Jones), 14:55

Third Period
WBS Tangradi, (10) (Potter, Lerg), 2:41
WBS Veilleux, (2) (Johnson, Craig), 5:20
WBS Haddad, (1) (Potter, Wagner), 7:46
NOR Gudas, (1) (Barberio, Szczechura), 13:26
NOR Nelson, (5) , 19:01 (EN)
NOR Milam, (6) (Quick, Nelson), 19:59 (PP)

Radko Gudas and Troy Milam were the game's first and third stars. For Gudas, his goal was the game winner and his first as a professional. He was also +2 in the contest, which ties him for first in the AHL at +16. Mark Barberio also scored his first goal as a professional and added a helper. He's now, quietly, amassed 1 goal and 10 points in 21 games. It's going to be interesting to watch these two young blueliners grow up together.

New addition Levi Nelson scored his first goal in an Admirals jersey and also added an assist in the contest.

The last minute of the game was marred by the kind of nastiness that you only get between two teams that now realize that this season is going to be heavyweight fight, and as of right now, the Admirals are winning three rounds to none. Those receiving the early gate for Norfolk were Chris Durno, Mike Angelidis, Alex Berry, Scott Jackson, Blair Jones, Ty Wishart, and Pierre-Cedric Labrie.

Norfolk moves to within 3 points of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for first place in the East Division with the Pens holding a game in hand.

Box score from TheAHL.com.