Admirals continue to struggle. Offense and Defense is almost non-existent. A few questions that come to my mind are…..How long can this continue with the existing coaching staff? Where are the stars of this team and where is their contributions? What needs to be done to get this ship afloat and sailing on to victory?
From The Norfolk Admirals:
HARTFORD, Conn. – The Norfolk Admirals (7-10-0-0) lost their fifth consecutive game, falling to the Connecticut Whale (8-7-1-0), 5-2, on Saturday night at the XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Admirals return to Scope on Wednesday for their first game of the season against the Hershey Bears.
Chad Kolarik recorded a hat trick for the Whale. John Kurtz and Emerson Etem scored for Norfolk, while Frederik Andersen (4-5-0) stopped 33 of 37 shots. Norfolk is on a winless streak of five or more games for the first time since January 22 – February 3, 2011 (0-4-1-1).
Connecticut took a 1-0 lead just 2:40 into the game with a power play goal. Kolarik sent a shot from the left circle that Andersen stopped. However, Kolarik was able to swat his own rebound under the right leg of Andersen and into the net.
Norfolk briefly tied the game at 1-1 midway through the second stanza. Chris Wagner took a shot from the right circle that Whale goaltender Cameron Talbot kicked into the slot. Kurtz fired the rebound into the net past Talbot at 7:56 for his first goal as an Admiral.
However, the home team reclaimed the lead less than two minutes later. Logan Pyett sent a shot from the right point through traffic. The rebound emerged at the top of the goalmouth to Andersen’s left, where Kolarik was able to bat it past the goaltender’s leg and into the net at 9:28.
Kolarik completed the hat trick 1:04 into the third period. Marek Hrivik sent a shot from the right circle that Andersen stopped. However, the puck trickled behind him in the crease, and Kolarik tapped it into the net for a 3-1 Connecticut lead.
That lead grew to 4-1 just over one minute later. Tommy Grant accepted a pass from Kelsey Tessier in the right circle and sent a shot between Andersen’s legs at 2:18.
Norfolk closed its gap to two goals with Etem’s fourth goal of the season at 13:26. The rookie forward skated around a pair of Whale defenders in the left circle and rifled a shot past Talbot to make the score 4-2.
However, Kris Newbury scored into an empty net with 1:14 remaining in regulation for the 5-2 final score.
Talbot ended the game with 29 saves on 31 shots for the win.
Norfolk was 0-for-3 on the power play. Connecticut was 1-for-6.
The Admirals return to Scope on Wednesday in the first meeting of the season with the Hershey Bears. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. in the second Admirals Value Night of the season, with Family Fun Packs and Student Rush Night tickets available.
Norfolk Admirals 2 at Connecticut Whale 5 – Status: Final
Saturday, November 24, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Norfolk 0 1 1 – 2
Connecticut 1 1 3 – 5
1st Period-1, Connecticut, Kolarik 4 (Hrivik, Thomas), 2:40 (PP). Penalties-Kurtz Nor (interference), 2:21; Hrivik Ct (tripping), 10:56; Smaby Nor (cross-checking), 17:13.
2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Kurtz 1 (Wagner, Lindholm), 7:56. 3, Connecticut, Kolarik 5 (Hrivik, Pyett), 9:28. Penalties-Mitchell Nor (goaltender interference), 0:37; Mitchell Nor (boarding, fighting), 5:45; Segal Ct (instigating, fighting, misconduct – instigating), 5:45; Vernace Ct (closing hand on puck), 14:40.
3rd Period-4, Connecticut, Kolarik 6 (Hrivik, Newbury), 1:04. 5, Connecticut, Grant 7 (Tessier, Bourque), 2:18. 6, Norfolk, Etem 4 13:26. 7, Connecticut, Newbury 7 18:46 (EN). Penalties-Lindholm Nor (closing hand on puck), 6:27; Hendry Nor (boarding), 8:53; Kurtz Nor (roughing), 11:20; Vatanen Nor (misconduct – abuse of officials), 18:46; Holland Nor (fighting, game misconduct – secondary altercation), 19:11; Maroon Nor (fighting), 19:11; Miller Ct (fighting, game misconduct – secondary altercation), 19:11; Parlett Ct (major – charging, fighting, game misconduct – charging), 19:11.
Shots on Goal-Norfolk 10-11-10-31. Connecticut 15-10-13-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 0 / 3; Connecticut 1 / 6.
Goalies-Norfolk, Andersen 4-5-0 (37 shots-33 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 7-4-0 (31 shots-29 saves).
A-5,041
Referees-Trevor Hanson (47).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Luke Galvin (2).
