The Norfolk Admirals and Wheeling Nailers kicked off the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Wednesday Night from Norfolk Scope. Wheeling would have the game’s first chance as Jordan Martel got a breakaway 35 seconds in, but would be denied. The Nailers would get another opportunity as they got a PP just over two minutes later, but couldn’t find a way to convert. Norfolk wouldn’t have many opportunities in the first, but when they did, they took advantage of them. Darick Louis-Jean opened up the scoring with a shot from the point at 5:44 of the first period. The Norfolk Admirals would double their lead later in the period as Hank Crone threw a saucer pass to Brady Fluerent, as he would beat Sergei Murashov five-hole at 13:59. Norfolk would hold a 2-0 lead after the first despite being outshot 16-8.
At the end of the first period, the two teams would get into a pushing and shoving match, leading to Norfolk starting the second with a PP. Norfolk took full advantage as they held the momentum in the second, holding the Nailers to just one shot through the first 15 minutes. The one shot by the Nailers would come while they were short-handed. Each team would get their chances on the PP, but neither could convert. It would be a flip-flop of the first period as the Admirals would double up the Nailers in shots, 12-6. Neither team would find the back of the net.
In the third, Norfolk would try to put the game away early as Fleurent fed Grant Hebert to make it a three-goal game early in the third. Norfolk got another golden opportunity just over five minutes later, where they got a five-on-three PP for over a minute. Norfolk and Wheeling combined to go 0/7 on the PP in game one. Jack O’Leary sealed the deal with an empty-netter as the Admirals would win Game 1, 4-0. Thomas Milic stopped all 29 shots for a shutout in his first career Kelly Cup Playoff Game. Milic has now allowed just one goal in his last three ECHL starts. Norfolk and Wheeling will continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05. Tomorrow night’s game will be the final game in Norfolk, with the rare 2-5 format.
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