NORFOLK, VA – The Norforl Admirals first ECHL game in 15 years did not go as planned at home in front of an announced crowd of 4,243 at the Norfolk Scope. The second and third periods turned out to be the team’s downfall in a 3-0 loss to the Wheeling Nailers.
The first period started off with excitement as Norfolk’s Gabriel Verpaelst dropped the gloves with Wheeling’s Shane Bakker early in the contest with Verpaelst scoring the victory with several right hand shots. The Admirals seemed to gain momentum from the scrap but failed to take advantage of two power plays while outshooting the Nailers 10-9 in the frame.
Wheeling got its game going in the second, taking control of things early. Just 15 seconds into the frame, former AHL Admirals player Ty Loney took a feed from John McCarron and scored the game’s first goal. The Nailers continued to take the play to the host Admirals, outshooting them 20-6 in the period. Norfolk did have good looks at the net but Wheeling goalie Frank Palazzese was able to keep the door shut into the second intermission.
Loney scored his second of the night 3:07 into the final frame off of helpers from McCarron and Sahir Gill. With a solid lead, Wheeling’s defense took over, swarming every Norfolk puck carrier and thwarting every Admirals opportunity. The Nailers outshot Norfolk 8-7 in the stanza, the final shot for the visitors being an empty net goal by Jarrett Burton. Gill and Paul Cianfrini picked up the assists on Burton’s first goal of the season.
Admirals netminder Ty Rimmer was outstanding in defeat, stopping 34 of the 36 shots he faced. All three stars in the contest went to Wheeling as McCarron was awarded third star, Palazzese the second for his 23-save effort and Loney the first star with his two goals.
The Admirals and Nailers will meet again on Saturday night at the Norfolk Scope with Norfolk looking to pick up its first ECHL win in a long time. Puck drop is set for 7:15 pm.
John and Jeremy Ramey cover Norfolk for Pro Hockey News.
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