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Admirals Stop a Checkers Comeback, Win 4-3.

Norfolk split the Prelude to the GEICO Cup 1-1

By shawndubstep
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor

Final Score: Admirals 4, Checkers 3

First Period Recap: Norfolk was out-shot by Charlotte 11-10 through the first twenty minutes of the game. John Mitchell started off the scoring with an even strength goal, Stefan Warg and Antoine Laganiere had the assists. Later in the period, on the power play, Kevin Gagne delivered a quick wrist shot and put the Admirals up 2-0 with Charlie Sarault and Chris Wagner assisting. Norfolk killed two penalties in the first period while going 1 for 2 on the man advanatage.

Second Period Recap: The middle frame had some more awesome Admirals play in it. Early on, Checkers goalie Mike Murphy misplayed a puck behind his net leaving an easy shot for Wagner to put away after Max Friberg fed it to him. The nest biggest event was Norfolk giving up a 5 on 3 opportunity but they were able to stand up to the Charlotte power play and kill it off. John Gibson's shutout attempt ended midway through the period when Victor Rask scored. Before the period could end Joseph Cramarossa put Norfolk up 4-1. The Admirals killed three penalties in the period and couldn't convert on their only power play chance.

Third Period Recap: The third period is where bad flashbacks of not finishing games out came to mind. Norfolk let Charlotte get back into things. Around 5 minutes in Gibson found himself way out of position and the Admirals defense couldn't help him out quick enough, allowing Nicolas Blanchard to pull the game within two goals. With a bunch more Norfolk penalties, they had nine altogether tonight, the Admirals never really got a rhythm going in the third.

Justin Shugg finally scored on the power play for Charlotte on a 5 on 3 situation to bring the score to 4-3. The Admirals killed off the remaining penalty. Norfolk eventually just kept icing the puck near the end of the game while Charlotte had an empty net to run the clock out. With around nine seconds left PTO Teigan Zahn fought Danny Biega and landed some pretty hard body shots and won the fight.

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The Good: Norfolk killed 8 of 9 penalties and looked pretty good doing it.

The Bad: Concession prices have gone up, food quality has stayed the same.

The Ugly: Norfolk took 9 freaking penalties, come on man.

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Most Valuable Ducklings:

3rd MVD: Kevin Gagne - This young player looks really sharp on the power play, is pretty quick, and has a quick shot.

2nd MVD: Joseph Cramarossa - Fast, almost scored on some sweet stick skills, and did score on a breakaway. I didn't know what to expect from him but I was impressed.

1st MVD: Chris Wagner - This guy has taught himself an offensive game over the off-season. He was an excellent player on defense last season and had a goal and an assist tonight to go along with his awesome play in Anaheim's camp.

Next Game: Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:00pm EST

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