Admirals put up a good fight in 3-2 loss to Monarchs

Final Score: Manchester 3 Norfolk 2

Scratches:

Stefan Noesen (knee) Healthy: Charlie Sarault, Brett Skinner, Ryan Parent, Norm Ezekiel

Starting Line:

Jamie MacQueen- Dave Steckel- Antoine Laganiere with Mat Clark and Kevin Gagne John Gibson in goal.

Game Tidbits:

• Frederik Andersen fell ill late afternoon and did not dress for the game
• Gibson was the only Admirals tendie dressed for tonight's game
• Gibson made 23 saves in the third period of the last game against the Bruins, that's a franchise record for most saves in a single period of play
• John Kurtz took over the remaining "A"
• Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz are now gone to "Tarana" (as Don Cherry calls the Toronto Maple Leafs)
• Newly acquired defense-man Jesse Blacker had not arrived at game time
• Admirals were 0 for 17 on power plays in the last six games before this game
• Admirals entered this game with a 6-3 record on the road this season
• Tonight is the first game the Admirals were NOT out shot by an opponent, they have yet to out shoot any opponents this season as the game ended with shots tied at 30

First Period:

Both teams came out ready to play and Norfolk put good pressure on the LA Kings' affiliate throughout the period.

Manchester struck first at 1:15 in the period. The puck bounced of Sami Vatanen's skate and was pushed past Gibson into the back of the net.

Norfolk had one power play opportunity at 5:39, which yielded nothing on the score board.

MacQueen took two minors in the period; 12:41 for interference and 17:26 for boarding. The first penalty gave the Monarchs their second goal at 13:36. It was a top shelf shot just over the right shoulder of Gibson.

Max Friberg sent a backhander into the net and the light came on but the referees called no goal.

There were minimal stoppages in the period and the pace was great. The Admirals moved the puck well and were finally able clear their zone and maintain possession.

Although Manchester out shot Norfolk 11-9 in the period, the Admirals were keeping up well.

Intermission Report:

As you can imagine, there was much talk of the Holland/Staubitz/Blacker trade. Blacker is expected to meet up with the team back in Norfolk after they make their 11 hour bus ride home, with a sick Andersen. Why couldn't you Ducks keep that flu to yourselves??!

The usual intermission interview was a pregame interview with Joe Cramarossa.He talked about how cool, calm and collected Sami Vatanen is with the puck. Also, his is speed, strength, and confidence. He mentioned being glad to have him back on the team to help out despite the downside of having to leave the NHL level.

When asked how he feels about his start with the Admirals this year he said that he is finding his game here and he's trying to keep it simple. As for his off season injury and the facial injury he sustained a few weeks back, he says, "it's just a part of the game" you just have to deal with it, accept it, and keep on moving.

Second Period:

Both teams took the ice ready to play but the Admirals capitalized just four seconds after Manchester was called on an interference penalty.

Chris Wagner lit the lamp at 5:07 as he tipped in a shot fired off by Alex Grant from Vatanen. The power play goal is Wagner's second goal of the season.

There were four more minor penalties called in the period, with only two being assessed against the Admirals. Clark got a minor for interference at 12:55 and Maxime Sauve got a delay of game at 18:11.

With only 1:49 remaining in the period John Kurtz got into a shoving match and both players involved ended up against the glass, thankfully there was no penalty.

The Monarchs clearly dominated the period in shooting, 19-6.

Third Period:

Manchester started the period with two hooking minors less than one minute apart; 5:19 and 6:11. The Admirals were unable to convert, though the Monarchs managed to score a shorthanded goal at 5:44 to push out to a 3-1 lead.

The Admirals started playing like there was a fire under them at this point. Laganiere was playing like I've not heard or seen to this point this season. He was moving well using space and creating opportunities. At 8:23 Laganiere got the monkey off his back merely 12 seconds after their power play ended. His first goal of the season, his first professional goal, and it was a 5 on 5 goal. Sauve and Garnet Exelby were credited with the assists.

The pressure from the Admirals didn't let up. Laganiere started playing really smart and really aggressive hockey. If he keeps this up we will see a shift in the wind. He was firing all kinds of shots at the net.

Manchester was still getting their shots on goal and Gibson made some really great saves to keep the Admirals right in the game.

Whitney was assessed a barrage of penalties at 17:24. It started with 2 minutes for hooking, then 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, so he chirped the refs and got a misconduct for abuse of officials. This warrants a "stayclassy" hashtag on twitter. With Admirals looking to tie the game these penalties ensured that even if they could force OT, they would still have been shorthanded.

With 30 seconds remaining in the game Gibson makes a HUGE diving save and robs Manchester of the nail in the coffin goal.

The game close with a Manchester slashing minor with two seconds remaining. The Admirals out shot the Monarchs 14 to 11 in the third period.

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Three Stars:

3rd Star: Jordan Weal (MCH) 2 assists +2

2nd Star: Jean-Francois Berube (MCH) 28 saves

1st Star: Brandon Kozun (MCH) 2 goals +2

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The Good:

We finally started shooting and didn't get out shot in the game!

The Bad:

We just couldn't convert our chances to goals.

The Ugly:

22 PIM for 7 infractions between 4 guys...

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Iceholes:

3rd: Vatanen if it has to be anyone. The first goal of the game went off his skate, but he did end up with an assist on the night so I guess he's not too bad.

2nd: MacQueen for taking 2 stupid penalties in the first period

1st: Whitney- shut your yap and play the game. If you need to chirp someone, don't chirp a referee.

The Admirals return home to play the Portland Pirates on Friday November 22nd. It's trading card night so get there early to get your first pack of free trading cards.