Norfolk Rallies from 3-0 Deficit to Defeat Crunch 4-3 in Shootout
December 6, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
SYRACUSE, NY - The Norfolk Admirals rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the second period to defeat the Syracuse Crunch 4-3 in the shootout at the Onondaga War Memorial Arena Friday night.
The Crunch struck first at 3:23 of the opening period. Drew Olson fired a shot from just above the right wing circle which clipped off an Admirals stick in front and steered the puck high into the net past Norfolk netminder John Gibson.
Syracuse added it to its lead when former Admiral Mike Angelidis picked the pocket of an Admirals defenseman and created a breakaway chance in front. Angelidis wristed a shot that beat Gibson stick side high to give the Crunch a 2-0 lead. Syracuse took the two-goal advantage into the first intermission.
The Crunch took a commanding 3-0 lead on the first goal of the season by Brett Connolly. Connolly grabbed the puck at the high slot and flexed a shot that snapped past Gibson for the goal. Moments later, Gibson exited the game after being shaken up following a collision with Angelidis in the open ice. Brad Thiessen came in relief
Nearly two minutes later, the Admirals took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play opportunity. Charles Sarault fed a pass across the crease to Rickard Rakell. Rakell buried the puck behind Syracuse goaltender Cedric Desjardins for the goal to put the score at 3-1 after 40 minutes played.
In the third, the Admirals chipped away at the Crunch lead. Norfolk scored its second power play goal of the game when Steven Whitney fired a shot from the bottom of the right wing circle. Whitney's shot clipped high past an outstretched Desjardins for the second Admirals marker. Whitney's seventh of the season came at 2:21 of the period.
Four minutes later, Garnet Exelby hurled a shot from the point that was stopped by Desjardins. However, the rebound hopped back in front of the net, and newcomer Chad Painchaud picked up the loose puck and shoved it into the net to tie the game at three.
Both teams continued to exchange scoring chances for the remainder of regulation and overtime, but neither could light the lamp. In the shootout, Syracuse netted a goal off the stick of Connolly, but both Rakell and Sarault scored to give Norfolk a 2-1 edge in the shootout after four rounds. Brad Thiessen was able to stop a shot by Phillip-Michael Devos to seal the 4-3 comeback victory for the Admirals.
Thiessen earns the win in a relief effort stopping all nine shots faced. Gibson allowed three goals on ten shots before leaving the game due to an injury. Desjardins takes the loss allowing three goals on 24 shots faced. Rickard Rakell finished the game with a goal, an assist, and scored a goal in the shootout.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday beginning at 7:00 p.m. Fans can catch all of the live action on 1490AM The Game, or online at www.1490amthegame.com Fans may also watch the game online at the AHL Live website: http://ahl.neulion.com/ahl/
The Admirals return home for a pair of games against the Springfield Falcons on December 13 & 14. The Annual Toy Toss is set for Friday, December 13th.
Game tickets are now 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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