ELMIRA, N.Y. – Greg Chase scored twice and the Norfolk Admirals posted four unanswered goals to defeat the Elmira Jackals 4-1 on Thursday night at First Arena.
Less than three minutes into the game, Nathan Oystrick trailed the play in transition and sent a one-timer over Norfolk goaltender Ty Rimmer’s left shoulder for an early 1-0 lead at 2:59. The Jackals maintained the one-goal advantage for the rest of the period.
Another early goal deadlocked the score at 1-1 when Steven Whitney fed the puck in front as Greg Chase crashed the net. Chase lifted a shot over Elmira netminder C.J. Motte’s left side, and scored at 1:33 of the second period. It was the rookie’s fifth ECHL goal this season in his first game back with the Admirals after a two-month stint with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
Norfolk took its first lead of the night at 4:57 of the middle frame on a gritty effort by another rookie, Scott Allen. Down low in front of Motte on the power play, Allen received a pass and turned with the puck before stuffing it between the Jackals’ goaltender’s pads.
Chase steered his second goal of the night into the Elmira net at 8:12 of the third on a great look by Admirals defenseman Charles-Olivier Roussel. Roussel carried the puck across the Jackals’ blue line, hit the brakes above the right circle, and sauced a pass to the hash marks for Chase who widened the gap to 3-1.
Whitney recorded a two-point night by putting away Elmira late in the third on a rebound putback at 16:27. Chase closed in on the right side, and Motte knocked down his shot. Whitney swung at the loose puck and got enough of it to squeeze it between Motte’s legs as the goaltender slid back to the net. The Admirals shut out the Jackals for the remaining 3:33 to win, 4-1, and take their fifth game in the last seven opportunities.
Ty Rimmer saved 25 of 26 Elmira shots, and C.J. Motte allowed four Norfolk goals on 39 attempts. Next up for the Admirals is a back-to-back in Manchester, N.H. against the Monarchs.
Game time on Saturday is 7 p.m., while game time on Sunday is 3 p.m.
With Norfolk Admirals release
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