For the fifth time of the eight-game season series, the Adirondack Thunder (9-7-0-1) and Norfolk Admirals (11-4-3-0) go toe-to-toe on Friday night in a North Division matchup. Despite it being two heavyweights of the North Division – where every game is entertaining – the Thunder hold a 3-1-0-0 record in the season series. Three of the four games played to this point have been one-goal games.
The Admirals are coming off a three-game sweep of the Maine Mariners and have won five straight, with two wins over the Reading Royals the week prior. On the other hand, the Thunder have won three of their last five games, including two straight, with wins over the Royals, Worcester Railers, and South Carolina Stingrays after snapping a four-game losing streak.
Where To Watch
Adirondack Thunder Radio Network
Stats
Norfolk
Road PP%: 25% (10th)
Road PK%: 87% (9th)
GFPG: 3.50 (6th)
GAPG: 3.22 (20th)
Adirondack
Home PP%: 14.7% (21st)
Home PK%: 79.3% (16th)
GFPG: 2.76 (16th)
GAPG: 3.00 (15th)
Players To Watch
Norfolk
Pavel Padakin: Padakin has started to find his grove in recent games. He sits on a four-game point streak after being held pointless in his prior four games. During his four-game point streak, Padakin has tallied three goals and three assists. The Kyiv, Ukraine native will be looking to keep his streak rolling and help this Admirals team to a sixth-straight win.
Brady Fleurent: Fleurent picked up where he left off last season. The Biddeford, ME native leads the team in goals (6), assists (14), points (20), and is second for plus/minus (+11). Over his last five games, Fleurent tallied three goals and five assists.
Domenic DiVincentiis: Since being sent down to the Admirals for more playing time, DiVincentiis has showcased to the Admirlas’ faithful why there is so much hype surrounding him. He has a perfect 4-0-0 record with a 2.41 goals agaisnt average (GAA) and a .907 save percentage (SV%). At just 20 years old, his demeanor can be compared to an NHL-level goalie. He has been exactly what the Admirals have needed between the pipes to stabilize their goaltending and get the big saves that were not being made before.
Adirondack
Kevin O’Neil: O’Neil has been a thorn in the side of the Admirals this season on the scoresheet and a big pick-up in general. In the four games against the Admirals, he has one goal and six assists for seven points. Since coming over from the Stingrays, he leads the Thunder in assists (12) and points (16). The Latham, NY native has points in his last three outings, tallying one goal and three assists.
Jeremy Brodeur: Brodeur has had a tremendous start to his sixth season in the ECHL. He has a 6-3 record with a 2.62 GAA, a .905 SV%, and one shutout. Against the Admirals this season, he has a 2-0 record, stopping 51-of-55 shots he has faced in the two games. He made 25 saves on 26 shots back on opening night in a 2-1 win over the Admirals, then made 26 saves on 29 shots back on Nov. 8th.
Brendan Less: Less has been a solid defenseman for the Thunder this season. He leads the team with a +9 rating, with the ability to find a way onto the scoresheet every now and then, and is currently on a three-game point streak. Through 11 games, he has one goal and four assists, bringing him nine points away from setting a career-high. His point production has really picked up over the last two games, as he tallied four assists for four points in those two games. His plus/minus really started taking off, as he was a +5 through those two contests.
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