This game was very reserved despite the three
previous games between these two teams. This was a low scoring game with
almost no penalty minutes (only 24 minutes between both teams). It’s not like
there were penalties the ref didn’t call, it was just the game was that clean. “Clean”
and “Syracuse” aren’t usually used in the same sentence considering the Crunch
are the most penalized team in the AHL.
Norfolk played a very solid first and second period
holding the Crunch to only 15 shots by the end of the second. The Admirals
defense was almost seamless. I would consider it the best two periods
defense-wise the Admirals have played all season. I think Yawney has the
combination he needs on defense. As for the Admirals offense that is a
different story. Where they looked semi-solid they could only score on
the power play. Palmieri ended up scoring twice on the power play.
Another contributing factor to Norfolk's success in
the first two periods was they kept things slow. They weren't sucked into
the Crunches fast-paced hard-hitting type of game. By keeping things slow,
Norfolk was able to hold onto the puck for longer periods of time, were able to
get the time to pass and take the Syracuse out of their comfort zone. It
almost looked like Syracuse was confused by a good methodical team. Of
course that will always happen to the Crunch when they play a team that knows
to slow things down.
For the remainder of the recap click on
"Continue Reading". If you came to this post directly just keep
reading.
Even though Norfolk was able to play a slow game
for the first two periods, Syracuse ended up sucking the Admirals into a
different game in the third period. Shots were 16-15 in favor of Norfolk
going into the third. Norfolk came out trying to keep it slow but the
Crunch started to move the puck faster during the pass and Norfolk just
couldn't keep up. Syracuse out shot 23 to 4. Most of the first and
second periods were spent in the Syracuse zone but in the third it seemed like
the puck almost never left Norfolk's zone. Anderson ended up letting one of the
23 shots in and the score was tied at the end of the third to force the game
into OT. If I had to wrap the third period up in one word it would be
CHARACTERISTIC.
Yawney had a discussion with the Admirals during
the one-minute intermission and Norfolk came out and slowed the game down
again. In itself that is impressive because Syracuse will always have the
speed advantage in a 4 on 4 match up giving them the overall advantage.
Norfolk had solid D and held Syracuse to one shot though the 5 minutes.
And then came the shootout.
This will be a quick sum up. Andersen let in
4 strait shootout goals. The last two weren't even that hard to stop.
Slow, over the shoulder and it wasn't like Andersen dropped to stop the
puck, he stayed standing.
Now to get a little personal. I don't
understand why Norfolk has these two goalies still in the line up. They
suck. Andersen can't move quickly enough and Bobby has big rebound
issues. Yawney sent down producing players to the ECHL to fire up the
team when the real problem is Norfolk's goaltending. How do you let 4 for
4 go past you in a shootout? That is just disgraceful. Andersen
should be ashamed of himself and must take sole responsibility for this loss.
The Norfolk shooters were able to put 3 past Tik and that should have
been more than enough to win the shootout and 2 points but nooooooooooo.
Andersen spoiled that. I understand the AHL is a development league
but I would like to consider it an advanced development league where all that
is needed is some fine-tuning. Both Norfolk goalies are not AHL ready.
They are still at the level where they should be developing in the ECHL.
Right now the fans should start a “fire the goalies” campaign in Norfolk.
With that said... Rabbi out!
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