Dustin Tokarski and Norfolk Admirals Thaw IceCaps 2-0, Win Streak Grows to 21

The Norfolk Admirals' epic history-making and record-breaking win streak grew to 21 games Wednesday after the Admirals and goalie Dustin Tokarski shut out the St. John's IceCaps 2-0 at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

Backed by second-period goals by LW Ondrej Palat (his eighth), a short-handed effort, and the game-winning power-play goal by RW Richard Panik (19) deep in the second, Tokarski stood on his head in net and turned away all 32 IceCap shots.

Rookie center Tyler Johnson's goal-scoring streak ended at nine, but his consecutive point scoring streak stretched to 13 games, assisting on both Norfolk goals. Johnson now has 35 points (14 G, 21 A) during the streak and 26 points ( 11 G, 15 A) in his last 13.

Tokarski made 11 saves in the third period on way to recording his 10th straight win and fifth shutout of the season. 

Killing an IceCap penalty in the second, 21-year-old birthday boy Palat started the scoring 12:27 into the second frame on a rebound off a Mark Barberio right circle shot. Barberio's shot came after Johnson stripped a St. Johns player of the puck at his own blue line and got the puck past a defender in the neutral zone. Johnson skated into the IceCaps zone and dropped the puck to Barberio.

Palat took Barberio's shot in deep and off balance, back-handed his shot past IceCaps goalie David Aebischer (14-9-2), who did all he could to keep his squad in the game, stopping 25-of-27 Admiral shots.

Panik added the insurance tally in the second off a deflection off a IceCaps defender that just beat Aebischer five-hole.

The 21st straight victory tied the Admirals with two other professional sports records of the New England Patriots (over the 2003 and 2004 seasons) and the 1935 Chicago Cubs.

The win put the Admirals at 48-18-1-2 and dropped the IceCaps to 39-20-5-3. The IceCaps still sit atop the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference with 86 points and third in the conference.

The Admirals hope to continue their winning ways Friday night against the same IceCaps at Scope Arena.

 

Please read my piece here for a detailed analysis of the streak.

Thanks for reading!

Game recap used from norfolkadmirals.com

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1123765-icecaps-vs-admirals-tokarski-blanks-st-johns-2-0-norfolk-streak-grows-to-21

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