KUHN: NORFOLK’S EARLY SURGE TOO MUCH FOR SWAMP RABBITS
Admirals strike thrice in opening 20, hang on to lead
BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk Admirals utilized an eight-minute stretch in the first period to carry the load the rest of the way. The Ads defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 4-1 on Friday night at the Scope.
From the 10:26 mark of the first until the 18:19 mark, it was all Norfolk.
Sam Povorozniouk finished off a three-way passing play between himself, and former Swamp Rabbits Roman Ammirato and Zach Franko to open the scoring. Josh Holmstrom did the same towards the back end of the first.
Charlie O’Connor’s tally came on a rebound of an Alex Rodriguez shot that pinballed off of the former’s shin pad and into the net. A quick video review confirmed the call on the ice, which was a goal.
The Admirals were steadied in net by Brandon Halverson, who had to make 17 saves in the third period as Greenville frantically attempted to get back into the game. A goal by Chad Duchesne through a massive screen in front at the 7:22 mark of the third period was his only blemish on the night.
Aside from the first period, Ryan Bednard kept the fort held. He stopped the final 20 shots fired his way, and 26 of 29, as the final goal was into an empty net from Ben Holmstrom.
90 seconds of a 5-on-3 power play time to begin the third period went by the wayside, as well as a crucial power play chance down by two following Duchesne’s tally to try and get back into the game. The Swamp Rabbits’ power play went 0-for-7 on the night.
Head coach Kevin Kerr rolled the dice to try and give his team a jump in the third period by pulling Bednard with about four minutes to play. Holmstrom’s empty-net goal sealed the deal.
The series between Greenville and Norfolk rages on Saturday, December 7 at 7:35 p.m. Catch all of the action on the Swamp Rabbits Broadcast Network or ECHL.TV.
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