Admirals Stomped In Third By Swamp Rabbits

NORFOLK, VA. - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-18-4-1) scored five times in the third period on Wednesday, stomping the Norfolk Admirals (15-26-4-0) by a score of 6-2.

There was just one tally in the opening 20 minutes and it came from Greenville forward Michael Joly, his first of the night.  The Quebec-born rookie entered the Admirals zone with two teammates to his right, however opted to toe-drag towards the middle of the ice and display enough patience to outlast Brandon Anderson to open the scoring.

Norfolk would even the game late in the second period though, coming from Mikael Tam in his return to Scope.  Tam, who was just reassigned from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League on Friday, set up in his normal spot atop the left circle on the power play and awaited his blast.  Like clockwork, Dmitrii Sergeev and Zach Pochiro set up #22 for the one-time rip to tie the game at 1-1.

The two sides exchanged goals early in the third period to make it a 2-2 game, however for the Swamp Rabbits, it was the first of five in the frame.

Paul Rodrigues, Alex Pompeo and Ben Murphy combined for the lone Admirals goal, the sixth of the year for Rodrigues just 3:22 in.  That tally was countered by an Angelo Miceli power play marker, one accompanied with helpers from Joe Houk and Brandon Alderson.

Then, within a span of 6:27, Greenville got two goals from Nick Betz, Michael Joly's second of the evening and Ahti Oksanen's 11th of the year to pull away at 6-2.  Betz' first was his first pro goal, the eventual game-winner as well.

Brandon Anderson suffered the loss for the Admirals, allowing six on 34 shots.  At the other end of the ice, Mackenzie Skapski earned his ninth win of the campaign stopping 30 of 32.

The Admirals will try and bounce back at home on Friday against the South Carolina Stingrays.  It's Faith and Family Night, as well as Military Appreciation at Scope.  Additionally, Hockey is For Lovers Packages are on sale now for just $50.  You can order these packages of two gold level tickets, roses from Whole Foods, a box of chocolates and a special scoreboard message for just $50.  Tickets for the game are on sale now on Ticketmaster.com and at the Norfolk Scope Arena box office.

(Slider Photo Credit: Sarah Hobday)