NORFOLK, VA – Michael Hunterbrinker tallied a goal just 2:44 into the second period, but it proved to be the deciding goal as Norfolk fell to Florida 4-3 on Opening Night at Scope Arena in front of 4,914 at Scope. JC Campagna and Ben Holmstrom scored for Norfolk in the setback.
Norfolk struck first just under two minutes into the first period with a goal from rookie defenseman River Rymsha. As Charlie O’Conner skated into the zone on the right side, he fired a shot from the right circle which was turned aside by Florida goaltender Ken Appleby. Rymsha found the loose puck and roofed a shot over the blocker of Appleby to give Norfolk a 1-0 lead, just 1:54 into the first period.
Florida answered the Norfolk tally with a goal from Justin Auger. Cam Maclise won a faceoff in the right circle and he played the puck right back to Auger who wristed a shot over the glove of Halverson to tie the game at one a piece.
The Everblades took a 2-1 lead courtesy of Blake Wineicki, as Michael Downing shot the puck from the right point which was initially saved by Halverson. The rebound bounced right to the stick of Wineicki who backhanded a shot into the net to give Florida a 2-1 lead at 9:52 of the first period.
Florida extended their lead to two goals, as Tanner Jeannot made it 3-1. Florida’s Hunter Garlent played the puck at the left point, where played the puck to Adam Smith in the low circle. Defensman Adam Smith centered the puck, which was deflected off the stick of Jeannot and past Halverson.
Florida would strike again just minutes into the second period, as Patrick McCarron played the puck into the right circle for John McCarron. He then passed the puck to Hunterbrinker just outside of the crease, who redirected it past the pad of Halverson to give Florida a 4-1 lead.
Norfolk answered the Florida goal with a tally from Campagna.
The Admirals killed off a Florida penalty and gained possession of the puck in their own end, when Robbie Hall sprung as pass to Campanga and was off on a breakaway. Campagna skated through the slot and fired a shot past the glove of Appleby to cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Admirals buried another chance just moments later on the power-play. Austin McEneny played the puck at the left point, then fed Christian Horn in the left circle. Horn fired off a shot that was redirected by Holmstrom past Appleby to cut the Florida lead to 4-3.
Norfolk fired a fleury of shots towards the net in the final moments of the third period, but Appleby stood strong to guide Florida to a 4-3 victory. Halverson was strong in net for Norfolk making 37 saves on 41 shots, but it wasn’t enough for the Admirals. Appleby made 28 saves on 31 shots and got the win for Florida.
The two teams will meet again Saturday night at the Scope at 7:35 p.m.
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