Admirals Earn Point, Fall in Overtime to Swamp Rabbits
February 13, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits defeated the Admirals, 4-3, in overtime at Bon Secours Wellness Center, Saturday night.
Forward Steven Whitney exploded for two goals tonight, registering back-to-back two-point performances. He grabbed his twelfth goal of the year after Janick Asselin fed him the puck from the left corner. Waiting patiently in front of Greenville's goalmouth on the man advantage, Whitney tipped Asselin's pass through Greenville's netminder, Mackenzie Skapski, at 8:56 of the first period, putting the Admirals on top, 1-0.
As Swamp Rabbit Sean Escobedo sat for holding, Braden Christoffer's backhander eluded Skapski and lit the lamp. Alexis Loiseau's laser from the top of the right ring bounced in front of the goal, and Greg Chase tried to knock it in but couldn't convert. Christoffer collected the rebound and widened Norfolk's lead, 2-0, at 16:29 of the opening frame.
Greenville answered with just 44 seconds remaining in the first period. Scott Fleming caused a turnover along the left boards, and the puck found Vinny Saponari in the high slot. He scored through the 5-hole at 19:16 to wrap up the period and tighten the margin, 2-1.
At 4:09 in the middle frame, Swamp Rabbit forward Jordan Knackstedt tallied his tenth goal of the season when he notched one from the middle of the right circle to even the score, 2-2.
Whitney netted his second mark of the contest at 5:35 in the second period after Wes Cunningham carried the puck into Greenville's zone. Cunningham passed it to Whitney who hit the twine, glove side, behind Skapski. The middle period ended with Norfolk leading, 3-2.
During a Greenville power play in the third frame, Saponari's perfect pass in the Admirals zone found wide-open Kodie Curran in the right ring. Curran's quick one timer tied the game, 3-3, at 6:19. He was the last to score in regulation, which propelled the teams into an extra session.
In overtime, Fleming's backhander was initially denied by Rimmer. But, Fleming picked up his own rebound and scored at 3:04 to secure a 4-3 overtime victory for the Swamp Rabbits.
Ty Rimmer blocked 34 of 38 Greenville shots, while Mackenzie Skapski saved 27 of 30 Norfolk attempts. The Swamp Rabbits scored one out of eight extra man opportunities, and the Admirals went 2-for-6.
The Admirals will head back home for a three-game home stand against the Florida Everblades. The first matchup is set to begin Wednesday, February 17, at 7:15 p.m.
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