Sports stats

ECHL Norfolk Admirals

Stingy Wheeling Defense Stifles Admirals

March 13, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Norfolk Admirals faced the Wheeling Nailers for the fifth and final time this season, Sunday afternoon. Two back-to-back Wheeling goals late in the second period were enough to wrap up a three game weekend with a defeat for Norfolk at WesBanco Arena.

The Admirals had a slight advantage over Wheeling, winning three of four prior meetings this season. Despite both teams playing three games in three days, the players played a tight, defensive opening period.

Norfolk struck first on the power play. As Bret Stern sat for elbowing with 7:34 remaining in the opening frame, Wes Cunningham tallied his first goal as an Admiral. Jordan Hill's shot from the right point made its way into traffic in front of Nailers netminder J.P. Anderson. The puck deflected off a body and found Cunningham's stick, where he slapped it in at 13:31.

The Nailers answered on a power play of their own less than a minute later. Shortly after Greg Chase was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, Cody Wydo dished the puck to the left side of the Admirals zone to forward Derek Army waiting in the left circle. Army blasted the puck into Nic Riopel's net to even the score at 14:25. The period ended with a tie, 1-1.

Both goaltenders held strong in the crease as that 1-1 score remained until 18:42 in the middle frame. Fatigue seemed to creep in for Norfolk toward the end of the middle frame, and forward Riley Brace took advantage, grabbing his 22nd goal of the season.

Less than a minute later and with just 33 seconds remaining in the second period, Cody Wydo, second in scoring for the Nailers, deflected a beautiful pass from Army past Riopel, widening the lead, 3-1. Despite pulling Riopel for the final 2:12 of regulation, the score would remain the same, handing Norfolk the loss.

Riopel denied 20 of 23 shots on net while J.P. Anderson, in goal for the first time this season, saved all but one of 23 Admiral attempts. Norfolk went 1-for-5 and the Nailers would go 1-for-2 on the man advantage.

Norfolk is 1-2-1-0 on this five-game road trip, wrapping up Wednesday in Elmira, NY where the Admirals will face the Jackals Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.

Three Stars:

1. WHL - #23 Riley Brace

2. WHL - #16 Derek Army

3. WHL - #1 J.P. Anderson

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 13, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Norfolk Admirals Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central