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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Smith-Pelly's Hat Trick Not Enough as Charlotte Defeats Norfolk 4-3

February 18, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Despite a three-goal performance by Devante Smith-Pelly, the Norfolk Admirals drop a 4-3 road decision to the Charlotte Checkers at the Time Warner Cable Arena Tuesday night.

After a scoreless first period, the Checkers wasted little time scoring the game's first goal in the second. Norfolk's Garnet Exelby was called for roughing at 1:40 of the period. Just nine seconds later, Chris Terry found himself with the puck in front and lifted a backhanded shot past goaltender Brad Thiessen for the power play marker.

The Checkers added to their lead at 9:08 of the middle frame, by capitalizing on a defensive breakdown by Norfolk. Three Admirals players were caught behind the goaline, which left Michal Jordan wide open at the left wing circle. Zach Boychuk delivered a pass across the slot to Jordan who wristed a shot into the net past a diving Thiessen to extend the Charlotte lead to 2-0.

Charlotte continued its assault in the second with a bizarre power play goal. Boychuk fielded the puck at the point and lobbed a wobbling puck toward the net. The puck then flipped into the Norfolk net past an unsuspecting Thiessen who never even saw it. The puck may have clipped off the stick of a Norfolk forward up high, but the unusual-looking goal counted, and extended the Checkers lead to 3-0.

Nearly 90 seconds later, Norfolk got on the board. Steven Whitney dropped a pass at the left wing circle to Devante Smith-Pelly who ripped a wrist shot over the shoulder of Checkers netminder John Muse for the goal, pulling Norfolk within two at the end of 40 minutes played.

Charlotte's Sean Dolan extended his team's lead to 4-1 at 4:58 of the third period, with his first tally of the season.

Later in the period, Muse would leave the game with an injury, and Mike Murphy came in relief. Norfolk peppered Murphy with 12 shots on net in the final stanza.

The Admirals seized a power play opportunity which opened the door once again to get back into the game. Smith-Pelly scored his second goal of the night, after connecting on a nice give-and-go with Emerson Etem to pull Norfolk within two.

Norfolk continued to lean on its top goal scorer for one more tally at 16:29. Smith-Pelly crashed the net and was able to put away his third goal of the game to complete the hat-trick and pull the Admirals within one by a 4-3 count. The goal was Smith-Pelly's team leading 20 th of the season.

The Admirals generated some chances late, but were unable to net the equalizer as the Checkers went on to win 4-3.

Despite leaving the game early due to an injury, Muse earns the win stopping 27 of 28 shots faced, while Murphy allowed two goals on 12 shots in a relief effort. Thiessen takes the loss for Norfolk allowing four goals on 43 shots faced.

The Admirals will enjoy a couple of days rest at home, before hitting the road again to take on the Albany Devils on Saturday beginning at 5:00 p.m. Fans can tune-in on 1490 AM The Game and 1650 AM, or online at www.1490amthegame.com

The Admirals will return home to take on the Checkers on Wednesday, February 26 beginning at 7:15 p.m. College Students can purchase tickets for just $9 when they present their college I.D. to the Scope Box Office anytime after 2:00 p.m. the day of the game. The game is also a Family Fun Pack night! Fans can purchase 4 red-level tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, and 4 popcorns for just $56! Family Fun Packs may be purchased at the box office as well.

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 .

GAME NOTES: Devante Smith-Pelly's hat trick was the 25 th hat trick in AHL Admirals history, and the second scored by an Admirals player this season. Alex Grant netted a hat trick in a 5-0 home win against Binghamton back on October 11... The game marked the second time Norfolk has lost a game when an Admirals player netted a hat trick. The last time came back on December 30, 2006 when Norfolk's Brandon Bochenski posted a hat trick in a 7-4 loss at Hershey...Norfolk falls to 0-4 this season at Time Warner Cable Arena... GEICO Challenge Cup Standings: Charlotte - 8pts. Norfolk - 4pts

Three Stars

1. Devante Smith-Pelly (NOR)

2. Chris Terry (CHA)

3. Zach Boychuk (CHA)

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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