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Admirals Special Teams Beat No. 1 Checkers

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The Norfolk Admirals finally clicked on the special teams and it allowed them to beat a strong Checkers team.

By shawndubstep
/ new
Igor Bobkov comes up big after 18 days of rest.
Igor Bobkov comes up big after 18 days of rest.
Shawn Dulin

Final Score: Admirals 3, Checkers 1

First Period Recap: The Norfolk Admirals set the tone of the game in the first period by killing off three penalties and out-shooting the Checkers 10-9.

On Sunday, the Checkers embarrassed Norfolk and likely ended any hope Jeff Deslauriers had to become a goalie for Norfolk after a 6-1 loss. Deslauriers cap hit doesn't count against the Ducks while he is in the AHL because he is on a one way contract. So, it is looking like he will just hang out and make $600,000.

Second Period Recap: Luca Caputi, fresh from another stint in Fort Wayne, started the scoring for the Admirals on the power play at 1:04 in the second period Nick Schaus and Patrick Maroon earned the assists. While in Fort Wayne, some fans were less than pleased with Caputi's performance and his hustle.

Jay Rosehill scored his second goal of the season just over two minutes later after the Checkers' Justin Peters couldn't find the rebound in front of the net; it was almost an exact copy of the first goal. Nate Guenin received the only assist on this score.

The Admirals then went up 3-0 on the power play. Dan Sexton netted his first goal with Josh Brittain and Matt Smaby getting the helpers. This was not the end of the scoring in the period. Charlotte's Andreas Nodl ended Igor Bobkov's shutout attempt on a terrible turnover by Jay Rosehill. Rosehill took out his frustration on the board behind the net.

Third Period Recap: The final frame ended up being a clean period with Norfolk only getting called for one penalty. The PK was 7 for 7 on the night. Both teams had decent scoring chances with each squad having nine shots on goal through the period. The Checkers pulled Peters with over two minutes left in the game but couldn't mount any sort of real attack on the suddenly confident Admirals.

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The Good: Special teams were amazing tonight. The penalty kill didn't allow anything in the 14 minutes against them and the power play went 2 for 3.

The Bad: The only thing I can think of being bad is that this won't be a consistent thing for the Admirals. Please prove me wrong, please.

The Ugly: The attendance. It was announced at 2,777 but there couldn't have been more than 1,000 actually there. I don't know if this is the fans sending a message or the threat of possible bad weather keeping people home.

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Most Valuable Ducklings

1st MVD - Igor Bobkov. This was his first start since January 5th and his first win since December 29th. He could have had that shutout if it wasn't for Rosie's turnover and I think that is what upset Rosehill the most.

2nd MVD - Dan Sexton- Finally rewarded for his hard work with a goal tonight. I am hoping he can get on a line with Emerson Etem and Maroon although it would leave them without a true center.

3rd MVD - Luca Caputi- For the first time in an Admirals uniform this season, this guy looked like he wanted to play and he skates his ass off.

Next Game: Friday, January 15th, 7:30 PM ET against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Norfolk Scope

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