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Final Score: Norfolk Admirals 3, St. John's IceCaps 2 (SO)
The Norfolk Admirals finally snapped their losing streak after defeating the St. John's IceCaps in the shootout.
First Period Recap: The game started off with a bang as Admirals winger Troy Bodie fought Cody Sol of St. John's for what really seemed like no reason at all. The fight itself wasn't too memorable.
Just over four minutes after the scrap, the IceCaps scored the first goal of the game, a power play goal to boot. Viktor Fasth attempted to stop the puck, but got a little too far out of the net and the defense had all gone to one side leaving Eric O'Dell wide open with an empty net.
Another four minutes passed before former Admiral Richard Petiot netted his first goal of the season and the second power play goal of the night. This time Fasth was screened and couldn't see the puck. The period ended with the Admirals trailing 2-0 but out shooting the Icecaps 9-7.
Second Period Recap: The second period was much better for the Admirals. Tough guy Jay Rosehill fought Ryan Schnell in a pretty sloppy fight where both guys could never get in a position to do real damage. Rosehill got the edge though after he managed to punch Schnell on the top/back of his head somehow. After this fight, Bodie and Josh Brittain skated around like mad men and really had some energy flowing.
Less than thirty seconds after the five minute majors, Brittain scored his third goal in as many games with Bodie getting the only assist. At this point St. John's started to play not to lose and made it to the intermission without giving up another goal.
The Admirals out shot St. John's 11-6 over the middle 20 minutes. During this period the Ads had a goal was waved off after review with the referee declaring it did not cross the goal line. From what I understand it hit the inside of the post but did not cross all the way.
Third Period Recap: The final frame turned into a tightly played physical period. Only two penalties were called, one on each team. Emerson Etem only needed one power play to tie the game up 4:56 into the period though. He flew down the left wing threw the puck across the ice trying to center it, but it deflected off a defender and past St. John's goalie Eddie Pasquale. Patrick Maroon and Kent Huskins would get the assists. It was Huskins' first point for the Admirals in ten seasons.
Seconds after the goal, Nick Schaus took a penalty, but that didn't stop Etem who nearly scored off of a couple of excellent short handed breakaways. The Ads out shot the IceCaps 10-7 and the game went to overtime.
Overtime Recap: In overtime the Admirals kept playing hard and they put four shots on goal but couldn't crack Pasquale. They also almost fell apart in the final minute, but held on for the shootout.
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Fasth looked very good in the shootout, and tracked the puck very well. Ducks fans should be excited about this guy.
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The Good: Emerson Etem seems to have come back from training camp with a chip on his shoulder and he played a really great game. The speed of this guy is simply ridiculous and on the penalty kill he eats up any weak passes the opposition makes.
The Bad: The Admirals, as a team, used to be a really good penalty killing group. With the call-ups and injures this has suffered a little bit. They gave up two more power play goals tonight.
The Ugly: The guys sitting beside me who I think might have had their first beers ever and were just really annoying. I've never seen dudes talk through a sporting event before. [Ed. Note: Never been to a game in California eh, Shawn? -CK]
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Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 19th, 7:15 PM ET at Norfolk Scope, also vs St. John's. Pink in the Rink Night!!!!