AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Overcomes Two-Goal Deficit Before Falling 4-2 to Manchester

Published on October 18, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - Despite climbing out of a two-goal hole to tie up the game through two periods, Norfolk would allow two more to Manchester in the third, ultimately surrendering to the Monarchs 4-2 Saturday night at Scope Arena.

After getting re-acquainted with each other to the tune of four fights and 84 total penalty minutes last night, Norfolk took the first of a four-game series by a 3-2 score. Unhappy with the result, Manchester switched things up in net, going with the previously-untested Patrik Bartosak. Tonight was devoid of any bouts, but the atmosphere was no less tempestuous.

The game began similarly to Friday's with Manchester opening the scoring. David Van der Gulik built off his shorthanded goal last night, putting one through traffic past Gibson at 5:46 on the team's first shot of the match. Scott Sabourin and Nic Dowd both earned assists. There was no shortage of hits, and Norfolk's Antoine Laganiere had a bid at his second goal in two games, but was denied by Bartosak.

Manchester extended its lead to 2-0 with a tic-tac-toe play that started deep in Norfolk's zone before bouncing to Dowd just outside the paint who quickly saucered it to Sabourin for a tap-in over a sliding Gibson at 12:09.

Most of the second period was less eventful, momentum swinging back and forth between the combatants. With just under five minutes remaining in the second, Norfolk got on the board with a goal by Brad Winchester, who has notched at least one point in each game this season. Winchester was left all alone in the slot, and would not let the assists by Noesen and Kerdiles go to waste as he. The shot totals stayed as close as the score, with Manchester recording 18 and Norfolk close behind with 17 through 40 minutes of play.

Laganiere would get another opportunity on goal at 5:55 of the third period during a power play, and this time he made it count. Catching the puck from Nic Kerdiles between the face-off circles, he fired a shot above Bartosak's blocker. Laganiere's tally tied up the score at 2-2 and seemingly turned the tide in Norfolk's favor, but Manchester would answer five minutes later on an even-strength marker from Brian O'Neill, assisted by Sean Backman.

Following a bench minor to Norfolk for delay of game, Manchester's Jordan Weal capitalized unassisted two seconds into their power play. Off the draw won by Steckel, Mat Clark attempted to deflect the puck from the crease, but it bounced off his left skate and past Gibson.

Despite pulling Gibson late in the period, the Admirals were not able to even up the score, and fell 4-2 at home to the Monarchs, splitting the two teams' first series of the year.

Gibson finished the match with 23 saves on 27 shots and Bartosak with 25 saves on 26 shots. Norfolk currently is tied for the division lead in points with four.

The Admirals will go on the road next week for a three-in-three when they face Providence, Springfield and Hartford, but return to Scope in time for Halloween against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2014


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