The Norfolk Admirals welcomed the Toledo Walleye to Norfolk Scope on Friday night. The Admirals came into the game sitting atop of the Eastern Conference’s North Division with a 6-2-3 record for 15 points, one point ahead of the Wheeling Nailers who were moved from the Western Conference’s Central Division to the North. In that Central Division, the Walleye sit in first place with a 7-3-1 record, also good enough for 15 points.
Many fans will remember the last time these two squads met last season as the Walleye dismantled the Admirals by a 9-1 final.
The first period started a bit sluggish on both sides, which was to be expected between two teams that rarely play each other during the season. Despite the sluggish feel to the game, the Admirals had the first big chance of the game just over two minutes into the game. A pass backdoor by Denis Smirnov was blocked, and sat right in front of the net. Brady Fleurent found the loose puck, shoveling it on net, but Carter Gylander came out of nowhere with the glove and robbed Smirnov of the game’s opening goal. About five minutes in, the game picked up a bit as both teams were throwing the body around as that was all the opening frame was. Both teams had chances to open the scoring, but the goalies denied everything that came their way as a scoreless first came to an end.
First Period Stats
Shots
Norfolk: 7
Toledo: 9
Powerplay
Norfolk: 0/1
Toledo: 0/0
With 30 seconds remaining on Nathan Kelly’s penalty for Tripping at the end of the first period, the Admirals needed to come up big to kill off the rest of the time on fresh ice. With just one second left on the kill, the Admirals tallied the game’s first goal. Some great communication from the Admirals’ bench allowed Brandon Osmundson to pick his head up and see they were on a 3-on-2 rush. Osmundson dished a pass over to Carson Musser, who had the puck on his tape for less than a second. Musser threw the puck to the far side for Marko Reifenberger, who released a shot from a couple of feet away from the left-wing boards, and over the shoulder of Gylander, who was cheating off the post.
Off the back of a goal, the Admirals kept buzzing as they peppered the net with shots. Despite all the shots, the Walleye collected the game’s next goal. At 14:05, Darick Louis-Jean was sent to the box for Holding, sending Toledo to the powerplay. It took just 48 seconds for Toledo to make the Admirals pay. With pressure in the Admirals’ zone, Brandon Hawkins found Tyler Spezia all alone at the back door. Bliss made a slight move that got Joe Cannata on his back, and tucked it in the back of the net. Both teams went into the locker room knotted at one with a big third period on the horizon.
Second Period Stats
Shots
Norfolk: 13
Toledo: 7
Powerplay
Norfolk: 0/1
Toledo: 1/3
With puck drop on the third period, the Admirals had multiple chances to take the lead and extend it, as they had three powerplay chances within the first nine minutes of the third period. The Walleye were excellent as they killed off all three, and used the momentum to take the lead for themselves just five seconds after the third penalty kill. A long-range shot from former Admiral Jalen Smereck was deflected right in fron by Griffin Ness and over the blocker hand of Cannata. Just under three minutes later, the Walleye extended their lead thanks to Dalton Messina. As the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours,” and that is exactly what happened as the Walleye added another one at 18:26. Hawkins made no mistake to put home the insurance goal as the Admirals pulled Cannata for the extra attacker to get back in the game. They were not done there. At 18:44, Sanghoon Shin was called for High-Sticking, sending the Walleye to a late powerplay. With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, a couple of efforts by Admirals’ players pulled them out of position, giving Sam Craggs a wide-open lane to riffle a one-time shot over the glove of Cannata.
Toledo took game one of the weekend by a 5-1 final. They move to 8-3-1 on the season, and the Admirals fall to 6-3-3 on the season, tied for first in the North with the Nailers winning their game.
Third Period Stats
Shots
Norfolk: 9
Toledo: 8
Powerplay
Norfolk: 0/3
Toledo: 1/1
Three Stars
- Carter Glyander (28 saves)
- Griffin Ness (1g,1a)
- Tyler Spezia (1g)
Coming Next
The Admirals and Walleye go a second round tomorrow night (Nov. 15) with a 7:05 p.m. puckdrop.
