Admirals return with the Calder Cup

NORFOLK, Va (WAVY) - The Norfolk Admirals finished their remarkable season with a sweep in the finals over the Toronto Marlies and returned home Monday with the Calder Cup. It's the first the team has won since joining the AHL.

While hockey has been around Hampton Roads for decades, this team did something no team has done in the history of the sport. After their loss on Super Bowl Sunday, the team only lost three games the rest of the season.

They broke hockey records with 28 straight wins in the regular season, won numerous individual awards and raised every banner possible.

More than 20 players on the roster are from Canada and it was only fitting that they got to celebrate just north of the border with family and friends. Since they swept the AHL Championship, the Admirals also had an extra day off in Canada. "It was really nice to be able to win it up by my family, but it would have been nice for the fans in Norfolk to see us win it all too," said Cory Conacher on Sunday when he was at home with his parents.

Fans packed the Norfolk airport Monday afternoon to welcome the team home. WAVY News 10 was there.

There will be a major celebration in Norfolk Wednesday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to commemorate the big win by the Admirals. According to the City of Norfolk, a parade will begin on Plume Street at 4:30 p.m. and will travel down Granby Street, concluding at the Norfolk Scope Plaza at 5 p.m.

Additionally, the Admirals have teamed up with the St. Baldrick's Foundation to shave the Admirals' playoff beards. The shavings will benefit pediatric cancer research.