Admirals' Log: Eighteen Goals Against In Three Games Equals A Long Ride Home

Last week's report was a story of a quick turn-around, a 3-0 shut-out loss last Friday night followed by a 4-2 win the next night.  The Admirals, it would seem, were able to learn from their mistakes committed in that first game and incorporate those lessons the next night--a perfect example of how to play one game at a time.  However, it would seem that whatever the Admirals learned about lessons last weekend went out the windows of the bus they took to Florida this week.  In fact, they got taught three very painful lessons this week.  Don't worry though, I won't put all of you through the same pain the players went through, at least not all of it anyway...

Norfolk's first game in the sunshine state was against the Florida Everblades (Carolina Hurricanes) this past Wednesday.  Defenseman Charles-Olivier Roussel would post his first of the season and the Admirals' only goal of the game at 7:56 of the second period.  After that, Norfolk watched Florida bury six straight goals, three in the second period and three in the third.  Ty Rimmer took the brunt of the loss, pulled midway through the third period and stopping 25 of 30 shots he faced. Philippe Cadorette gave up one goal on seven shots in his first appearance this season.

Spoiler alert: "6" is a theme.  Keep reading.

The Admirals' took to the ice the very next night, this time against the Orlando Solar Bears (Toronto Maple Leafs).  With Rimmer having started three in a row and being bombarded the night before, rookie Philippe Cadorette would start the game between the pipes for Norfolk.  Greg Chase, wasting little time, would score the game's first goal just two minutes in to the first period with assists to Josh Currie and Ben Betker.  The Solar Bears answered right back just over a minute later and would beat Cadorette three straight times on just nine shots before being pulled just ten minutes in to the game.  The first period scoring frenzy would end with Admirals' center Michael Pelech scoring his second of the season.  Gabriel Verpaelst brought the Admirals even with Orlando with his first of the season, but the Solar Bears would tickle the twine three times in the third period, once short-handed and twice in to an empty net.  Final score:  6-3.

Norfolk's third and final game of the road trip Would once again pit them against the Solar Bears Saturday night.  Unfortunately while it was a different night of the week, the final result was the same, another 6-3 loss.  Greg Chase scored his third of the season and Josh Currie scored his first and second, but once again the Admirals were unable to keep the puck out of the net.  Ty Rimmer allowed five goals on 32 shots and mercifully didn't have yet another empty net goal count against him.


Really the only bright spot this week was that the Admirals were blown out of the water (pardon the pun) in the shot department.  18 goals against in three games however...that stings a little.  Ty Rimmer deserves a purple heart despite his horrible 3.26 GAA and .909 save percentage.  As a team, the Admirals are last in the league in goals against with 23, an average of 4.60 per game, as compared to their 2.20 goals for.

Norfolk leads the league in goals against with 23 and is tied for second in Penalty Minutes with 118 through just five games, averaging almost 24 minutes in penalties per game.  For those doing the math at home, The Admirals have had someone in the penalty box for one-third of their season thus far.  Pretty sure it's harder to score short-handed than at even strength.


Notable skater stats for the week:

Josh Currie (2G, 2A)
Greg Chase (2G, 1A)
Charles-Olivier Roussel (1G, 1A)
Michael Pelech (1G, 1A)
Gabriel Verpaelst (1G)
Steven Whitney (2A)
Ben Betker (1A)
Tommy Mele (1A)
Joe Marciano (1A)
Alexis Loiseau (1A)
Mathieu Brisebois (1A)


Through five games:
Goal Leader: Greg Chase (3)
Assist Leader: Josh Currie (3)
Points Leader: Josh Currie (2G + 3A = 5pts)
PIMs Leader: Jonathan Lessard (18 PIMs)

The Admirals return home this Friday to face the Quad City Mallards (Minnesota Wild).  I have to believe the players would be happy to be home, can't imagine the bus ride back was any fun.  I-95 N can be a lonely stretch of road without anything "good" to talk about.

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