Norfolk Ices St. John’s 3-2 In A Shootout
By Ted Warren
Photo Credit: Norfolk AdmiralsThe Norfolk Admirals won their first game of the new year icing the St. John’s Ice Caps 3-2 via a shootout. Norfolk goalie Viktor Fasth stood tall in net during the shootout stonewalling all of St. John’s shooters.
Ice Cap’s Eric O’Dell found the back of the net at the 6:22 mark of the opening frame on the power play which put the visitors ahead early. Minutes later while on the power play former Admiral defenseman Richard Petiot propelled a shot from the point that eluded Norfolk netminder Fasth giving the Ice Caps a commanding two goal lead.
Norfolk fired on all cylinders during the 2nd period paving the way to a Josh Brittain goal. Brittain has been streaking for his club lately scoring 3 goals in 2 games since being summoned from the Fort Wayne Komets. Brittain commented on his tally that beat Ice Cap’s goalie Eddie Pasquale saying, “Luckily it went off a skate and went in and I’ll take it and that’s all that counts.”
The Admirals knotted the tilt on an Emerson Etem power play goal at the 4:56 mark of the 3rd period send the tilt into overtime. Neither team could score in the five minute overtime period so a shootout commenced.
Admiral’s goalie Victor Fasth stopped all five of St. Johns shooters. The third shooter for Norfolk, Josh Brittain, deked Pasquale out of his pads and gave the home team a one up in the shootout. Ryan Lasch was Norfolk’s fourth shooter. He sniped the twine in the shootout, but the goal was null and void as the net was dislodged. However, referee Jon McIsaac gave the goal a once-over via video review and deemed that Lasch would have another attempt to shoot. “It was a do over.,” stated Norfolk head coach Trent Yawney. Coach Yawney also commented on Brittain saying, “He is getting better and better every game.”
“The goals weren’t pretty tonight, but they went in and that’s all that counts.,” Yawney declared on his team’s 3-2 shootout win. Norfolk outshot their opposition 35 to 22. Both of St. John’s goals were scored on the power play. The Ice Caps ended the game going 2 for 5 on the P.P. while Norfolk managed 1 goal on 5 power play attempts.
Yawney and Company hope to keep this momentum moving into Saturday’s rematch against the Ice Caps. The rematch is scheduled to start at 7:15 and is Norfolk’s annual Pink in the Rink night in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
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