Admirals Double Up On Bears

The Hershey Bears and Norfolk Admirals clashed Saturday night in Norfolk following an Admirals 5-1 victory Friday night in Norfolk. Next up for Norfolk is a week day tilt against the Charlotte Checkers at the Times Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Bears travel back to Hershey following tonight’s game to host the Binghamton Senators. No change in goal was made by both teams. Hershey started Dany Sabourin and Norfolk matched Sabourin with Frederik Andersen.

Norfolk Admirals assistant captain Troy Bodie struck first early into the game on the power play. Admirals defenseman Nate Guenin sailed a shot from the blue line that Sabourin turned away; however; Sabourin whiffed on the clearing attempt and Bodie followed through on the missed clearing attempt pulling Norfolk ahead early. As the buzzer sounded to end the first period, Norfolk led in shots nine to eight.

The Admirals struck pay dirt once again via a Brayden Irwin deflection. Admirals defenseman Jordan Hendry fired a bomb from the point. Irwin redirected Hendry’s shot for his first goal of the season. Irwin’s goal came seconds into the middle frame giving Norfolk a two-goal lead. Bears left-wing John DiSalvatore brought his Club within one at the 7:43 mark of the second period. At the end of the middle stanza, Hershey turned the table in the shot department outshooting Norfolk 19-15.

Patrick Maroon doubled his teams lead at the 4:34 mark of the third period. Maroon potted his sixteenth of the year. Maroon added insult to injury netting an empty net goal with minutes remaining in the contest. Between Friday’s and Saturday’s tilt Maroon racked in five points.

Admirals forward Brayden Irwin chatted about his goal saying, “It was good work by Brittain down low. They got the puck up to the point and Hendry did a nice job and I was able to get a stick on it.” Irwin was a mid-season addition to the Club. When asked about fitting into the Club Irwin responded, “The guys have been great welcoming me into the team. Every game, I’m starting to feel a little bit more comfortable out there. Everything is headed in the right direction.”

Norfolk was one for three on the power play. Hershey was unsuccessful on six power play attempts. Dany Sabourin suffered his tenth loss of the year. Frederik Andersen racked up his fifteenth win of the year.  The Admirals continue to plug towards the playoffs Wednesday against Charlotte.

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