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South Carolina Stingrays

Admirals Score Early and Often to Beat Stingrays 8-2

January 29, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


NORFOLK, VA - Four goals in the first period, including two from Scott Allen, propelled the Norfolk Admirals (19-24-1-1) to a 8-2 victory over the visiting South Carolina Stingrays (21-16-3-2) Friday Night at the Norfolk Scope. Norfolk forward Greg Chase scored a hat trick in the game, and defenseman Gabriel Verpaelst notched five points in the win.

Allen opened the scoring at the 4:48 of the first period. Norfolk defenseman Samuel Noreau took a slapshot from center ice that was denied by the blocker of Stingrays goaltender Mark Dekanich. The goaltender was unable to control the rebound, and Allen collected the loose puck in the slot. He beat Dekanich through the five-hole for his 10th goal of the season to give the Admirals a 1-0 lead.

Only 2:01 later, the Admirals doubled the lead via a Verpaelst goal. The Admirals won a faceoff to the right of the Stingrays net, and Verpaelst one-timed a Nick Pageau pass, beating Dekanich blocker-side to make it 2-0.

The Admirals would add a pair of power play goals in the final minute of the first period to close the frame with a 4-0 lead. First, Allen would score his second goal of the game at 19:03. Beautiful tic-tac-toe passing saw Chase find Allen wide-open on the left side of the crease. The forward tapped in the puck for his 11th goal of the season. At 19:51, Chase would score a goal of his own, poking a loose puck that sat in the crease to the back of the net to make it 4-0. The goal ended Dekanich's night, as he was replaced by Vitek Vanecek with nine seconds left in the first period.

The two teams would trade goals in the second period. Chase scored his second straight goal, snapping a one-time shot past Vanecek's blocker at 4:34 to make it 5-0 Norfolk.

It took until the final minute of the period, but South Carolina finally solved Norfolk goaltender Nic Riopel. Forward David Pacan threw a shot towards the goal from the right wing. It deflected off a Norfolk defender and past Riopel's right pad to give Pacan his 14th goal of the season. The goal came at 19:24 and extended Pacan's goal scoring streak to five games.

The third period would see Michael Pelech score a pair of goals of his own at 1:11, and 4:42, to extend the Admirals lead to 7-1. Both goals came on the power play.

Chase would complete the hat trick on a beautiful passing play with Nick MacNeil at 8:39 to make it 8-1 Norfolk. Paul Rodrigues would score 19 seconds later for the Stingrays to cut the lead to 8-2.

Eight goals allowed was the most the Stingrays have surrendered this season. The Admirals finished the night 3-for-10 on the power play, while South Carolina was 0-for-5. The two teams each fired 28 shots.

The two teams meet again tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. from the Norfolk Scope. Fans are encouraged to head to the official Watch Party each night at King Street Grille-Northwoods in North Charleston to catch the game.

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