Another loss for the Admirals

Norfolk falls to Penguins 4-2

Updated: Wednesday, 16 Jan 2013, 12:05 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 16 Jan 2013, 12:05 AM EST

NORFOLK, Va. - Goaltender Viktor Fasth made 25 saves in his North American professional debut, but the Norfolk Admirals (14-19-2-1) dropped a 4-2 decision the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (18-17-2-1) on Tuesday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.

Nick Schaus and Josh Brittain scored for the Admirals, who were out-shot in the contest, 29-13 – including 21-6 in the final two periods.

The Admirals host the St. John’s IceCaps on Friday and Saturday nights at Scope. Saturday's game is the sixth annual Pink in the Rink to benefit the Tidewater Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Norfolk took a 1-0 lead 6:56 into the first period. After John Kurtz forced a turnover in the Norfolk zone, John Mitchell spotted Troy Bodie for a breakout pass. Bodie entered the attacking zone along the right wing and dropped a pass back to Schaus. The Norfolk defenseman sent a slap shot from the right point that eluded the glove of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender Brad Thiessen for Schaus’ first goal as an Admiral.

The Penguins tied the score at 1-1 with a five-on-three power play goal early in the second stanza. Alex Grant sent a slap shot from the left point. Riley Holzapfel, who was stationed on top of the goalmouth to Fasth’s left, deflected the shot past the netminder at 3:07.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took a 2-1 lead early in the third period off a pinball play. Holzapfel carried the puck into the Norfolk zone along the left wing and passed the puck toward the slot. The puck bounced in the air after a deflection by Grant, and a Norfolk defender attempted to bat the puck away from danger in the low slot. However, it deflected down to his feet, and Paul Thompson quickly shot it under the defender and Fasth to give the visitors the lead 4:49 into the third period.

The Admirals tied the game at 2-2 midway through the third period with a power play goal. Rod Pelley sent a backhand pass from the slot to Brittain in the left circle. Brittain corralled the puck and sent a wrist shot past Thiessen, stick-side, at 14:46 for his second goal of the season.

However, the Penguins responded with a power play goal of their own less than three minutes later. Grant sent a slap shot from the high slot through traffic and past Fasth at 17:10, giving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 3-2 lead.

Brian Gibbons added an empty-net goal with 28 seconds left for the Penguins.

Brad Thiessen (7-7-1) st opped 11 of 13 shots for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton .

Norfolk was 1-for-5 on the power play. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 2-for-4.

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