Simonelli Wins It For Norfolk With 5.2 Seconds Remaining

NORFOLK, VA. – Frankie Simonelli scored the game-winning goal with just 5.2 seconds remaining on Friday, giving the Norfolk Admirals (16-26-4-0) a 3-2 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays (25-20-2-1).

Steven Summerhays was making his third appearance in net for South Carolina, one week to the day after being traded from the Admirals.  Anchorage, Alaska’s very own allowed the first goal of the evening, coming off the tape of Norfolk forward Ben Murphy.  Alex Pompeo’s shot bounced off the pads of Summerhays and #20 would pick up the scraps, burying his 11th of the season.

South Carolina began their end of the see-saw affair in the second period though, coming in the form of a Domenic Monardo tally.  Monardo picked up a loose puck out at the blue line, walked in and rifled a shot below the glove of Philippe Desrosiers to even the score at 1-1.

Sandwiched in between two of South Carolina’s middle frame goals, Paul Rodrigues was able to sneak one through Summerhays.  A soft backhanded attempt got through the blocker side of the netminder, giving the Admirals a lead once again.

However, before the 20 minutes came to a conclusion, John Parker was able to capitalize on the Admirals mismanagement of the puck in their own end.  Gabriel Verpaelst was tied up by a Stingrays forward and the puck scattered towards center, leaving it for Parker’s tenth of the year.

The third period whistled by at a tie score of 2-2 until with just 5.2 seconds on the clock Frankie Simonelli sent the Norfolk Scope crowd into a frenzy.  #77 picked up the puck behind his own net and curled up the left wing boards.  The Bensonville, IL sent a dangerous pass through center that was nearly picked off by a Stingray forward, however, the puck wound up on the tape of Brodie Dupont.  Dupont entered the zone and shuffled a backhand pass to a streaking Simonelli, where he would fire and beat Summerhays for the game-winner.

Norfolk now begins a five game road trip in Reading with games on Saturday and Sunday.  Following that the team heads to Orlando to take on the Solar Bears in a set of three.  All games can be heard live on 102.1 FM The Tide, as well as watched live on ECHL.TV.

Following the road trip the team returns home for five home games in a row, starting with a Spaghetti Wednesday contest against the Florida Everblades.  The first 200 folks to purchase a full-price ticket at the door the day of the game will receive a spaghetti meal prior to the game.

Tickets for all five contests are on sale now on Ticketmaster.com and at the Norfolk Scope box office.