Admirals Earn 1-0 Overtime Victory in Front of Sellout Crowd
January 18, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
NORFOLK, VA- Jesse Blacker's goal at 2:21 into overtime broke a scoreless tie, and sealed a 1-0 victory for the Norfolk Admirals over the Worcester Sharks in front of a sellout crowd of 8,701 at the Norfolk Scope Saturday night. Norfolk (21-13-1-5, 48 pts) earned the win in the 7th Annual *Pink In the Rink Night*. John Gibson made 20 saves to earn the shutout win.
Both teams displayed a very physical style of play that saw each squad take control of the game and whatever little momentum they could muster.
Despite the rough affair, the penalty boxes didn't have an occupant until late in the second on a tripping offense by Worcester's Dylan DeMelo. During that ensuing Norfolk power play, Adam Comrie was handed a four-minute double minor for spearing, which gave the Admirals a two-man advantage for 56 seconds.
Despite the great chance for Norfolk to break the scoreless tie, the Worcester penalty kill got the job done, and killed off the penalties in their entirety. The two teams combined to go one for seven on the man-advantage.
Neither side could find the net in 60 minutes of regulation play, and forced the extra session to decide a winner.
The decisive goal came midway through the overtime period at 2:21. A Konrad Abeltshauser tripping penalty presented the Admirals with a power play and a golden opportunity to seal it before the shootout.
As bodies filled the crease in front of Worcester goalie Harri Sateri, Devante Smith-Pelly jammed the loose puck into Sateri's pads. The Finnish netminder initially denied Smith-Pelly but allowed a rebound to trickle out through the traffic in front of him.
On the other side swooping in along the left hash marks was Blacker, the son of a breast cancer victim. The Norfolk defenseman dropped to one knee and wristed the game winner up and in over Sateri's left shoulder. The seventh annual *Pink in the Rink* sell-out crowd of 8,700 exploded as Blacker delivered the victory at 2:21 in overtime.
Both goaltenders had a spectacular outing as Sateri finally succumbed after making 26 saves on 27 shots. The night's second star, Norfolk goalie John Gibson, saved all 20 shots he faced en route to winning his 12th game this season, and recording his third career shutout.
The Admirals managed to get three points out of the two-game weekend series with the Sharks and are now tied with Providence for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Admirals will close out the weekend on Sunday afternoon with a 5:00 p.m. game at Charlotte. Fans can tune-in to the game on 1490 AM The Game, or on 1650 AM. Fans may also listen to the game online at http://1490amthegame.com/home/listen-live/
The Admirals return home to Scope next Friday and Saturday for a big East Division matchup with rival the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Game tickets are on sale, and are available through the Norfolk Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.
For 10-packs, or discounted group tickets stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, or call (757) 640-1212 Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fans can also visit us online at www.norfolkadmirals.com.
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