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ECHL Norfolk Admirals

Lessard, Admirals Send Florida Packing with Thrilling Comeback Win

February 21, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


Norfolk, Va. - Jonathan Lessard and the Norfolk Admirals battled back from a 3-goal deficit to defeat the Florida Everblades by way of shootout Saturday night.

Things were quiet in Norfolk's Scope Arena until midway through the 2nd period, and the Everblades were making things difficult for the Admirals. By the midway mark of the first period, each team had traded one goal apiece.

Early in the first, Nick Pageau was called for boarding. While on the man advantage, Florida's Kevin Montgomery fired a shot from the center blueline, and Kevin Lynch tipped it up and toward Norfolk netminder, Ty Rimmer. The puck bounced off his body and over his shoulder, falling just out of reach, giving Florida the 1-0 lead at 3:13.

It took a little more than six minutes for Norfolk to respond on a power play of their own. Nick Pageau fed a pass from the high slot to defencemen Ben Betker. His slap shot sailed into Florida's net at 9:56 of the first, tying the game, 1-1.

From here, the Admirals allowed 3 goals in 13 minutes, spanning two periods. Florida's Rob Florentino scored from the right boards, taking the 2-1 lead at 11:18 of the first, and Corey Syvret made it 3-1 at 15:52. At this point, Norfolk head coach, Eric Veilleux, replaced Ty Rimmer with Nic Riopel for the remainder of the game.

Matt Willows, Florida's point leader and top-ranked rookie wouldn't be fazed by a new netminder. While on the penalty kill, Willows snuck behind the defense and received a pass from Joe DiSalvatore, scoring shorthanded on the breakaway. At 3:12 of the second period, trailing 4-1, a spark lit on the Norfolk bench, and Nic Riopel wouldn't allow another goal the rest of the game.

Accumulating an impressive 18 recorded shots in the second period alone, Norfolk regained much-needed ground with two quick goals. Rookie Scott Allen struck first, widening his team-leading power-play goals to seven. Steven Whitney sent a pass from the left post to a wide-open Allen, and he closed the gap, 4-2, at 8:00.

Just 18 seconds later, Jonathan Lessard scored his 12th of the season. Lessard collected his own rebound and flicked a wrister from the bottom of the left circle that sneaked past Florida goalie, Rasmus Tirronen, at 8:18 of the second. The period would end 4-3 in favor of Florida.

With three-quarters of the third period expired, Jonathan Lessard buried the equalizer. His second goal of the night and 13th of year made it 4-4 at 15:00 in the third period, sending the game into overtime.

After a scoreless 3-on-3 overtime session, the shootout began. Each of the shooters missed in the first round. Then, Matt Willows scored for Florida. Immediately after, Greg Chase tied it up. As luck would have it, the deciding goal would come off Lessard's stick in the fourth round. His wrister secured the 5-4 victory and sent the Everblades back to Florida.

Norfolk earned four out of a possible six points against the conference leader this week and evened the season series 2-2. Norfolk scored on two of its four man advantages, and Florida went 1-for-1. After replacing Ty Rimmer in net, Nic Riopel stopped 21 of 22 shots for a .955 save percentage and allowed only a single goal for a 1.22 goals against average.

The Admirals remain at home through the first weekend in March, and will return to the ice this coming Friday, February 25th to play host to the East division-leading Manchester Monarchs.

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