By: Brad Johnson
Starting Lineups:
Norfolk: Bobkov, Lindholm, Guenin, Maroon, Palmieri, Holland
Connecticut: Jason Missiaen (G), Mike Vernace (D), Sean Collins (D), Kris Newbury (C), J.T. Miller (C), Marek Hrvik (LW)
1st.Period:
The Admirals wasted no time after the opening faceoff to jump out to an early lead. Norfolk struck at the 1:02 mark of the opening period. Elkins made a sound defensive play as he stole the puck off the stick of Whale defenseman Matt Gilroy. Elkins then quickly skated down the right side and sent a wrist shot along the ice which struck the far post and caromed into the back of the net for the early 1-0 Admirals lead. The visitors wasted little time showing why they currently have the top-ranked powerplay unit; with Rosehill off the ice for hooking it was Matt Gilroy answering his earlier mistake; he fired a slap shot from the point that appeared to deflect high off Bobkov’s shoulder glove side and deflected into the top corner of the net for a 1-1 tie at the 2:55 mark. Kolarik and Newbury were credited with the assists on the play.
Norfolk regained the lead at the midway point when Corey Elkins took a beautiful pass from Guenin and deked past a defender to between the circles where he lifted a back hand shot over the shoulder of goaltender Missaien. This was his second goal on the night which gave the Admirals the advantage 2-1 at 9:47 of the period.
2ndPeriod:
Both teams came out solid in the second period. Chris Kreider would take a major boarding penalty at 16:04 and was given a game misconduct for the questionable hit. The Admirals had their chances while on the five-minute power play, however, the Whale defense did a great job taking away the shooting lanes not allowing the Admirals to capitalize.
Connecticut would regain some momentum following the crucial penalty kill. Gilroy fired a hard slap shot from the point which found its way through traffic and into the back of the net behind Bobkov to once again even the score. The score was 2-2 at the 9:13 mark of the period and, like Elkins, it was his second goal of the night.
At 12:02 of the period with the Admirals pressing in the Whale defensive zone; Chris Wagner sent a pass through the legs of a defender onto the stick of Jay Rosehill. Rosehill was stationed in the slot and took a quick shot that found its way to the back of the net for a 3-2 lead. It seemed as if the Admirals were well on their way at this point.
Norfolk got their first two-goal lead on the night two minutes later at 14:16. With some crisp passing from Vatanen and Palmieri, Holland was on the receiving end of a beautiful play as he took the soft pass from Palmieri and beat Missiaen glove-side to close out the second period scoring with the Admirals having the advantage by a 4-2 count after 40:00.
3rd:Period:
The third period belonged to the Whale. Brandon Segal, who was a member of the Admirals' championship team last season, struck for two goals in the period to help earn the Whale their first point on the season. After the Admirals defense blocked a J.T. Miller shot; the puck bounced to the stick of Segal who wasted no time burying a wrist shot high past Bobkov to mark the score 4-3 at the 4:03 mark of the third. The Whale would continue to pressure the Admirals throughout the period and with time winding down it would be Segal once again finding the back of the net at 18:24 to even the score. Kyle Jean skated the puck into the Admirals' zone and left the puck behind along the boards for Segal, who wristed a bad-angle shot into the net behind Bobkov who was screened and didn’t have much of a chance on the play. Through 60:00 of action the Whale held just a 27-26 shot advantage.
Overtime:
The teams skated evenly through much of the overtime period and it seemed as if the Admirals were destined for their second shootout on the young season. Following a defensive breakdown by Connecticut, the Admirals gained control of the puck having Lasch work the puck to Vatanen who quickly sent a beautiful pass to an un-defended Corey Elkins who wasted no time burying his third goal of the night to complete the Hat Trick and give the Admirals the victory.
Bobkov earned the W turning aside 26 of 30 shots. Missiaen suffered the loss saving 24 of 29 shots faced.
Power Play:
Norfolk– 1 for 6
Connecticut– 2 for 7
For the official score sheet click here.
The Norfolk Admirals will take on the Connecticut Whale again tonight, Saturday October 20. The puck drops at the Scope at 7:15 PM. Get your tickets here.
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**The Rant Norfolk Admirals is in no way affiliated with the AHL or the Norfolk Admirals organization. The views and opinions in this blog do not reflect the views and opinions of the AHL or the Norfolk Admirals organization. For the fans by the fans.
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