The Norfolk Admirals and Wheeling Nailers will meet in the North Division Quarter Finals in a best-of-seven series beginning Wednesday Night in Norfolk. Norfolk and Wheeling split the two-game series during the regular season. Norfolk is coming off a heart-breaking first round loss last season to the Adirondack Thunder. Wheeling is making their second consecutive Kelly Cup Playoff run after losing in the second-round. These two teams didn’t meet during the regular season.
The Schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday April 16th, at 7:05 EST
Game 2: Thursday April 17th, at 7:05 EST
Game 3: Wednesday April 23rd, at 7:10 EST
Game 4: Friday April 25th, at 7:10 EST
If Necesary: Game 5: Saturday April 26th, at 7:10 EST
If Necessary: Game 6: Monday April 28th, at 7:10 EST
If Necessary: Game 7: Tuesday April 29th, at 7:10 EST
The Rosters:
Norfolk Admirals:
Wheeling Nailers:
Goaltending
Heading into this series, one of the biggest factors will be the goaltending. Both Norfolk and Wheeling have gotten some solid goaltending help from their AHL affiliates, which helped them get into the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals will be going with the AHL tandem of Thomas Milic and Domenic DiVicentiis.
Milic, 22, began the season in the AHL and didn’t make his first ECHL start until Janury 29th. In 18 games with Norfolk, the New Westminster native went 11-5-2 with a 1.82 GAA, .935SV%, and two shutouts. In Mantitoba, he played 21 games with a 5-12-4 record with a 3.44 GAA and .877SV%. Milic played in two Calder Cup Playoffs during the 2024 playoffs but went 0-2.
DiVicentiis, 21, spent two months in the ECHL while Milic was up in the AHL with the Mantioba Moose. In 20 games, with the Admirals he 15-5 with a 2.97 GAA, and an .896SV%. The Bolton, Ontario native has not played with Norfolk since Jaunuary 26th when he gave up six goals against the Adirondack Thunder.
Wheeling Nailers
The Wheeling Nailers will head into the playoffs with three eligible goaltenders: Sergei Murashov, Jaxon Castor, and Taylor Gauthier. Murashov will likley be the starter for Wheeling in Game 1.
Murashov, 21, went 17-7-1 with a 2.40 GAA, .922SV%, and one shutout in his rookie season with the Nailers. The most impressive stat about the Russian netminder is that he would win 12 straight games for the Nailers. He spent the last month in the AHL and played 16 games this year with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, going 12-3 with a 2.64 GAA, .913 SV%, and one shutout. Murashov was also named the Rookie of the Month in November.
Castor, 28, just finished his third season in the ECHL. It was a rough year for the Phoenix, Arizona, native who saw action in just 14 games, going 6-7 with a 3.65 GAA and .872 SV%. Coming into the season, Castor was already slated not to see much time, as he was the third goalie. It would be an acceptable start to the season for Castor, who allowed 12 goals in his first five games, one of which was a game in which he gave up five goals to the Trois-Rivieres Lions. Things went downhill for Castor after his two-month stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins where he saw action in just one game and that was in relief. Since coming back he’s given up 5+ goals in four of his nine games.
Gauthier, 24, entered the season as the reigning ECHL Goalie of the Year and shockingly stayed in the ECHL with the Nailers. In 30 games this season, the Calgary, Alberta native went 18-10-2 with a 2.06 GAA, .928, SV%, and two shutouts. He served as the starter while Murashov was up in the AHL and has once again put up solid numbers for the Nailers. Gautheir was called up to the AHL yesterday. He is still eligible to play in the Kelly Cup Playoffs if he’s sent back down.
Players To Watch:
Norfolk:
Hank Crone– The Norfolk Admirals biggest deadline acquisition has put up four goals and six assists for 10 points in seven games. Crone adds another scoring element to the Admirals offense joining Brady Fleurent and Filip Fornaa Svensson. The Dallas, Texas, native has 16 games of Kelly Cup Playoff experience while putting up two goals and nine assists for 11 points.
Brady Fleurent– The 30-year-old forward has found himself a home in Norfolk as he’s having a career year with 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points. Fleurent currently leads the Admirals in all offensive categories. He also led the team with 22 points on the PP. There’s no doubt that Fleurent should be a difference maker for the Admirals during their opening round series.
Filip Fornaa Svensson– Norfolk’s rookie forward had a solid year putting up 25 goals and 14 assists for 39 points in 51 games with the Nailers and Fort Wayne Komets. He has also picked up two hat-tricks this year for the Admirals. I would expect him to be another solid piece for the Admirals during the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Wheeling
Lars Ronde– The 24-year-old defenseman is starting to catch some eyes as he put up two goals and an assist in six games between the Adirondack Thunder and Wheeling Nailers. Rodne became the first Norweigan born player to score a goal in Nailers franchise history. Ironically, he’s done all of this on ATO’s as he’s already signed three of them (two with Wheeling one with Adirondack). He may not be the most notable name out on the ice but I do expect him to make an impact for the Nailers in thier bottom-six.
Kyle Jackson– In 67 games this season, Jackson had 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points. He led the Nailers in goals (25) this season. The 22-year-old forward got a taste of the Kelly Cup Playoffs last season with the Kansas City Mavericks playing in five Kelly Cup Playoff games. There’s no doubt that experience will help the Nailers this post-season.
Jack Beck– The 22-year-old forward has been limit to just 39 total games this year. Beck recenty got his first taste of the AHL. He played in all three games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last weekend. In 36 games with Wheeling, he’s put up eight goals and 28 assists for 36 points. Despite an injury-shortned season, I would expect Beck to become one of the more impactful players for the Nailers in the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
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Predections:
This is going to be the series to watch in the Eastern Conference, if not the whole league. The goaltenders are going to have their chances to shine as both players have guys who can put the puck in the back of the net. Norfolk is coming off a heart-breaking first round loss last season to the Adirondack Thunder. Wheeling is making their second consecutive Kelly Cup Playoff run after losing in the second-round. The Admirals will surprise a lot of people, but this series will go the distance.
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