Admirals Shutout Checkers 3-0
By Ted Warren
"The Norfolk Admirals defeated the Charlotte Checkers 3 to 0 in their first preseason contest. 27-year-old Corey Elkins scored twice while enroute to the shut out. Elkins first goal came during the first period when rookie Emerson Etem sent a pass through the neutral zone to Elinks who snuck it past Charlotte goaltender Justin Peters. Corey closed out his two goal night by shoveling in a loose puck around the crease that was shot in by Admirals’ defenseman Matt Smaby.Centerman Ryan Lasch commented on the Elkins goal saying, “Elks got the rebound there while we were storming around the front of the net.” Ryan also commented on the affiliation change by saying they want to establish their own identity here and play their game. The California native played the last two seasons overseas in Europe. This will mark his first season playing in North America since the 2009-2010 season. Lasch mentioned that it felt great to play in his home country again.Devante Smith–Pelly and AHL All-Star Kyle Palmieri kept Corey Elkins company on the score sheet. The Admirals were 1 for 5 on the power play while the Checkers were kept silent while on the P.P. Norfolk also took all three stars of the game—Elkins, Anderson and Bobkov.Norfolk Head Coach Trent Yaweny spilt the goaltending duties between Frederik Anderson and Igor Bobkov. Anderson saw 15 shots during the first and second periods. Bobkov was put in for the start of the third and turned away 10 shots. The Admirals will battle against their Western Conference rivals again tomorrow at their practice facility, Chilled Ponds in Chesapeake.Follow me on Twitter – @bauerhockeydude"