ECHL Norfolk Admirals

Three Goals in Three Minutes Help Admirals Snap Losing Streak

Published on December 2, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - Despite a scoreless first two periods, the Norfolk Admirals were able to score three goals in the first 3:20 seconds of the final period, lifting them past the South Carolina Stingrays 3-1 to end a nine-game winless streak.

The Stingrays got off to a quick start, putting up an abundance of shots to open the game. The first period ended in a scoreless draw, with South Carolina taking a commanding lead in the shot count, 10-3.

The visitors drew first blood on a man advantage when Stephan Vigier sent a quick pass to Nick Jones on the right side of net. Jones redirected the pass into goal with 12:20 remaining in the middle period. South Carolina led the game in shots 22-9 by the end of the second period and enjoyed a 1-0 lead.

Norfolk ramped up the offensive attack entering the final period and took advantage of power-play opportunities. The Admirals tied the score at 1-1 with a man advantage after Jordan Hill sent a pass across the top of the zone to Gabriel Verpaelst. The defenseman one-timed a slap shot that glanced off a stick in front and over the left shoulder of Vitek Vanecek 1:07 into the third period. Scott Allen was credited for the secondary assist on the goal.

Only 1:45 later, the Admirals took a 2-1 lead on yet another power play when Allen fired a shot from the left side. His rebound flew into the right shoulder of Vanecek and dropped in front of goal. Nick MacNeil knocked the loose puck to the back of the Stingray net at 2:52 of the final period. Allen and Ben Betker helped on the Admirals' second power-play goal of the evening.

Norfolk wasn't done as the scoring continued just 32 seconds after MacNeil's marker. Radoslav Illo was positioned right in front of the net and he redirected a blast from Verpaelst by Vanecek, extending the Norfolk lead 3-1 with 16:40 remaining in the final period. Despite trailing the shot count throughout the first two periods, Norfolk lead the final period in shots, 9-6, and held on to power past the Stingrays. The 3-1 victory was the Admirals' first since Nov. 13 and the first at home since Nov. 10, effectively snapping a nine-game skid.

Scott Allen was responsible for two of the Admirals' six assists on the evening, pushing his total to three on the year. Verpaelst recorded a Gordy Howe hat trick by picking up one goal, one assist, and one fight. MacNeil made a splash in his season debut by scoring the game-winning goal and his first as an Admiral.

Norfolk scored on two of their five man advantages, while South Carolina capitalized on only one of their five power plays. Vanecek stopped 15 of the 18 shots sent his direction. Norfolk's Ty Rimmer nearly posted a perfect save percentage by stopping 27 of 28 shots, earning him second star of the evening.

The Admirals are back in action this Saturday evening as they are on the road against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the South Division. Puck drops at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Three Stars of the Game:

1. NOR - 11 MacNeil

2. NOR - 31 Rimmer

3. NOR - 27 Verpaelst

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