The Norfolk Admirals and Wheeling Nailers faced off in Game 4 of the North Division Semifinals on Friday Night. Wheeling looked to avoid their second consecutive sweep in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. For Wheeling, they would be forced to go to Jaxon Castor between the pipes. Sergei Murashov was called up to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Wheeling started quickly and would get on the board first as Jordan Martel fed Matty De St. Phalle just 2:02 after the opening faceoff. Norfolk would respond quickly as the first shot on goal found the back of the net, as Ryan Chyzowski scored his first goal . Late in the opening frame, Thomas Milic would attempt to cover a puck, but Cole Tymkin got a stick on the puck and put home his first of the playoffs to give Wheeling a 2-1 lead.
The two teams would exchange breakaway opportunities in the second, but both goalies stood tall, keeping it a one-goal game. The physicality between these two teams would boil over as Chase Pietila and Connor Fedorek dropped the gloves at the 5:58 mark of the period. The Admirals would get their chances to tie the game, but couldn’t convert on the two PP opportunities they had. With their season in jeopardy, the Wheeling Nailers would head into the third up 2-1. Wheeling would get their first PP opportunity of the night in the third and took advantage right away as De St Phalle picked up his second of the night. That would be the only PP the Wheeling Nailers would get on the night. The Nailers would add another goal as Eli Lieffers picked up his first career Kelly Cup Playoff goal.
Things got chippier after the goal, as Matthew Quiercia threw a hit on Fedorek at the 11:41 mark leading to another PP. Wheeling finished the night with four goals after having just one in the first three games of the series. Norfolk wouldn’t be able to convert as they finished the night 0/5 on the PP. In the final minute, Ryan Chyzowski and Phip Waugh each received 10-minute misconducts for inciting. After a combined 102 PIMs in the first three games, these two teams combined for 50 on Friday Night. Jaxon Castor would make 29 saves for the win in his first Kelly Cup appearance. Norfolk and Wheeling will play Game 5 on Saturday Night with puck drop at 7:10 EST. The Norfolk Admirals will look to head to their second consecutive North Division Final.
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