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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Can't Overcome First-Period Deficit

November 5, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Despite some great chances on net and 11 minutes of power-play time, the Norfolk Admirals mustered just one goal in a 3-1 loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Wednesday at Webster Bank Arena.

Called up on Sunday from the Admirals' ECHL affiliate, the Utah Grizzlies, Norfolk rookie goaltender Ryan Faragher was tested early and often in his debut, and with just under 10 minutes left in the first period Bridgeport got on the board. Capitalizing on a Tigers power play, C.J. Stretch blasted a one-timer from Harry Zolnierczyk and Griffin Reinhart with 9:56 remaining.

Five minutes later, Bridgeport extended their lead to 2-0 off an even-strength tally by Alan Quine who lifted a backhander from the left circle off assists by Ryan Pulock and Kael Mouillierat, beating Faragher under the crossbar at 15:03.

The Admirals got their first man advantage of the game after the Tigers' Kevin Czuczman went to the penalty box for holding the stick, but it would be the home team coming away with a goal. Justin Courtnall took advantage of a shorthanded opportunity, and put a third tally past Faragher with help from Zolnierczyk and Scott Mayfield at 18:08.

Norfolk managed an attempt in close with one-tenth of a second left in the period, but Bridgeport goaltender Kevin Poulin made a glove save off a tip and rebound to keep the score in favor of the hosts, 3-0, entering the first intermission.

The second period belonged to the Admirals, yet ultimately went in favor of Bridgeport, due to Poulin's excellent play. In spite of two five-on-three opportunities as well as a five-minute boarding major taken by Mayfield, the Admirals couldn't solve Poulin. Brandon Yip and Brad Winchester each had chances while on the two-man advantage, and both were saved by a sprawling Poulin in the crease.

However, Norfolk didn't allow Bridgeport to extend their lead, and ended the period down by three but ahead in shots by seven, 22-15.

Following a middle frame spent almost entirely in Bridgeport territory, the Admirals carried momentum into the third period but were forced to kill a penalty two minutes in. While on the penalty kill, a Norfolk trio latched onto a Tigers turnover and raced into the Bridgeport zone. Mat Clark slid a pass across the slot to John Kurtz as Kurtz drove to the net. Poulin saved Kurtz's initial shot but couldn't stifle the rebound, and the Norfolk left winger stuffed the puck between Poulin's legs at 2:18 of the third. The shorthanded marker was Kurtz's first goal of the season, with Mat Clark and Dave Steckel each earning their second assists of the year.

Faragher was pulled with less than three minutes left to give the Admirals a six-on-five edge, but Norfolk couldn't find the net and lost, 3-1, their fourth-straight setback on the road.

Faragher made 19 saves on 22 shots, while Poulin stopped 31 of 32. Norfolk had six power play opportunities to Bridgeport's three, including two five-on-threes, but didn't score while a man up. The Sound Tigers went 1-for-3 on the power play and scored a shorthanded goal as well as an even-strength goal.

The Admirals continue their road trip with a pair of games in Syracuse as they face the Crunch Friday evening at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Three Stars:

1) BRI Kevin Poulin (31 saves)

2) BRI Harry Zolnierczyk (2 A)

3) BRI Justin Courtnall (1 SHG)

NOTES ... Anaheim recalled goalie Jason LaBarbera on Sunday and Igor Bobkov on Tuesday, forcing Norfolk to borrow Grizzlies' netminders Faragher and Etienne Marcoux ... Faragher made his AHL debut Wednesday ... Mayfield received a game misconduct on top of a major penalty for boarding Brandon Yip ... Only one of the game's goals was scored at even strength ... Steckel's assist was his second in as many games ... It was the third time in four road games this season that Norfolk allowed three goals in the first period.

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