So long, old friend: Adieu to Norfolk

Ah, Norfolk. Reachable by the coolest route possible — it’s a bridge, then a tunnel, then a bridge, then a tunnel, then a bridge, with a pier in the middle where you can hang out? Sign me the heck up — but so far away that I only got there a few times. There was that time in 2003. Two trips in 2005-06, one after that opening-night disaster in Wilkes-Barre (stopped in Antietam on the way, which was breathtaking), and then another in the spring on which I rode the bus and stayed out by the airport somewhere and, ticked off that a pizza-delivery place wanted me to call from the hotel phone (and pay the hotel’s phone surcharge? What am I, made of money?) rather than a cell phone, walked down a semi-busy highway alone to a gas station to get some peanuts or something. (Amazingly, that’s one of the few honest memories I have of March 2006, still.)

Scope. Ah, Scope. Hike up to the press box, hang out with Pete Michaud, hike down to the dressing rooms, which are somehow on the wrong sides from the benches, so you’ve got to cross each other’s paths to get there. (Kind of, if not exactly, like some place we know.)

Heard Rihanna for the first time in Norfolk on that first 2005 trip, randomly, in a chain record store in the MacArthur Center. (I get most of my pop music in hockey rinks, so I’d missed “Pon de Replay” in the summer.) You could tell there was something there. Rode with Phil in 2007; heard a song I hadn’t heard in ages, then heard Jeff Tambellini question his team’s conditioning.

I know some folks down there missed the Coast. Hopefully the move will work out happily enough for everyone. We’ll miss you.

TEN MEMORIES

Jan. 3, 2004: Late in a 2-1 Bridgeport home loss, Jeff Hamilton takes Marty Wilford’s inadvertant stick in the eye, and oh, man, waiting for that to resolve. Thankfully, he was able to come back and finish off an amazing season.
March 23, 2005: At Nassau Coliseum, Bridgeport trails 3-2 as time ticks away, but then Eric Godard scores the tying goal with 12.7 seconds left… except it’s disallowed for an alleged kick-in. The Admirals win 4-2.
Oct. 7, 2005: Matt Koalska scores to give Bridgeport a 5-3 lead… and the lights go out across Norfolk. When they come back, Bridgeport goes on to win 7-4 two nights after being embarrassed in Wilkes-Barre. One Jeremy Colliton scores his first pro goal. And what’s this about referee Jeff Smith?
Oct. 8, 2005: James Wisniewski’s power-play goal wins it 6-5 in overtime at Scope after Nathan Barrett ties it with 10.2 seconds left. And what’s this about referee Jeff Smith?
Oct. 27, 2007: Bridgeport blows a third-period lead and loses 2-1 in Virginia. “I question our team’s conditioning, first off,” forward Jeff Tambellini said. “Three in a row, that’s a joke. It’s unacceptable to be blowing games when you have leads. Winning teams don’t throw away third period leads.”
Jan. 15, 2011: Joel Martin makes 48 saves at Scope in his first AHL start in four years at a time when Bridgeport’s struggles of that season are kicking into gear. He’s a minute and a half from getting his team a point when Rob Hisey turns the puck over and Chris Durno scores the winner, 3-2.
Nov. 13, 2010: Mark Wotton’s OT goal wins it 3-2 at home off David Ullstrom’s third assist of the night. Wotton raises his stick, skates straight to the door, opens it himself with the stick and skates straight off. (Also disappearing: Coach Jack Capuano, two days later announced as head coach of the New York Islanders.)
Dec. 30, 2011: Tomas Marcinko takes a skate to the neck but, fortunately, gets quick and great treatment from Matt Bain and local medical staff in Norfolk. It’s petrifying, but he only misses five games.
March 11, 2012: Power plays in Bridgeport are 8-1 Norfolk. Goals are 6-3 Norfolk. The Admirals are of course in the midst of not losing for two months, having no excuses, playing like a champion, setting the world on fire and what have you.
Nov. 2, 2013: Mike Halmo scores twice, including the late tying goal, in a 4-3 shootout win in Bridgeport; Justin Johnson scores and fights. Maybe most memorable: David Steckel scoring moments after linesman Kevin Redding is knocked out at the red line.

Michael Fornabaio