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Norfolk Admirals

IceCaps Hand Admirals First Setback of 2012-13

October 27, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Norfolk Admirals (4-1-0-0) took their first loss of the 2012-13 season, as the St. John's IceCaps (4-3-0-0) earned a 3-2 decision on Saturday night at MileOne Centre. The same teams will meet tomorrow afternoon in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Devante Smith-Pelly had a goal and an assist in the contest, which was the first road game of the season for the Admirals. Sami Vatanen also scored for Norfolk, while goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped 40 of 43 shots. The IceCaps out-shot the Admirals, 43-30.

Norfolk lost its first regular season game since February 5, 2012, against the Springfield Falcons. The Admirals won their final 28 regular season games of the 2011-12 season and the first four games of the 2012-13 regular season before tonight's setback.

Neither team scored in the first period, as Andersen made 16 saves and St. John's goaltender Mark Dekanich made five saves.

The IceCaps took a 1-0 lead 11:33 into the second stanza. Jason Jaffray poked the puck off the stick of a Norfolk defenseman into the slot. Zach Redmond recovered the puck in the slot and sent a quick shot past the blocker of Andersen.

The deficit grew to two goals less than two minutes later while Norfolk was on the penalty kill. Jaffray took the puck from the right corner and attempted a shot that Andersen stopped. However, Jaffray found his own rebound in the low slot, spun around on his backhand and sent a shot from the edge of the left circle under the legs of Andersen at 13:14 for a 2-0 St. John's lead.

Norfolk cuts its deficit to one goal with less than a minute remaining in the second period. Hampus Lindholm sent a shot from the left circle that Dekanich stopped. Patrick Maroon poked the puck loose in the crease, and Smith-Pelly swept the puck into the net at 19:24 for his first goal of the season. The Admirals trailed the IceCaps, 2-1, heading into the third period.

The IceCaps restored their two-goal lead midway through the final frame. Hunter Tremblay sent a shot from the right circle that made its way through the crease and was heading towards the left corner. Eric O'Dell, who had skated behind the net from the right circle, emerged near the left circle, found the loose puck, and shot it past Andersen's right leg at 8:27 for a 3-1 St. John's lead.

Norfolk used a quick power play goal late in the third period to once again draw within one goal of tying the game. Peter Holland won a faceoff to Smith-Pelly, who fed the puck to Vatanen at the right point. Vatanen sent a slap shot past a screened Dekanich at 15:10 for his second goal of the season.

Despite out-shooting St. John's, 16-13, in the third period, the Admirals were unable to find the equalizer, as they fell, 3-2.

Both teams were 1-for-5 on the power play. Dekanich made 28 saves to earn the win.

The same teams meet tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. EDT. Due to Washington Redskins football, the radio broadcast will only be available on 1021TheGame.com. You may also watch live on a pay-per-view or season pass basis at AHLLive.com.

The Admirals return to Scope on Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3, to square off against the Binghamton Senators. Friday night's game is Salvation Army Fundraiser Night. Please visit norfolkadmirals.com/groups for information about ordering discounted fundraising tickets to benefit The Salvation Army. These tickets may only be ordered online and may only be ordered through Thursday, November 1.

Don't miss a minute of Admirals action by purchasing your season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime.

Three Stars:

1. Jason Jaffray - STJ

2. Mark Dekanich - STJ

3. Eric O'Dell - STJ

NOTES ... Peter Holland (2g, 4a) has points in all five of Norfolk's games this season ... Kyle Palmieri's (2g, 4a) four-game point streak ended ... Sami Vatanen (2g, 4a) has points in three straight games ... Norfolk failed to score the first goal of the game for the first time in 2012-13 ... Luca Caputi made his Admirals debut ... Did not play: Ryan Parent, John Kurtz, Garrett Klotz, Matt Smaby, Jay Rosehill.

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