Fast First Helps Admirals Sail by Grizzlies

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Five consecutive goals including three in the first period helped the Admirals sail past the Grizzlies 5-3 in Utah on Monday night.

The Norfolk power play ended the Grizzlies perfect ten-for-ten run killing penalties to start the season. The Admirals finished the night two-for-five on the man-advantage, running their season total to four-for-13 (30.8%). Utah was held scoreless on three power play opportunities.

Norfolk got off to a quick start in the first period thanks to the hot stick of Grant Besse. The rookie from the University of Wisconsin notched his first career professional goal over halfway through the opening frame when he tipped home Tim Daly’s shot from the point, giving the Admirals a 1-0 lead. As time wound down in the period it was the rookie who struck again. Picking up a loose puck in the right corner Besse cut across the net mouth, outwaited the goaltender, and tucked the puck into the empty net, giving Norfolk a 2-0 lead. Just under two minutes later Angelo Miceli pushed the lead to 3-0. After picking the defenseman’s pocket in the corner Miceli, very similar to Besse, deked around Angus Redmond giving the Admirals a 3-0 lead before the period ended. The goal was Miceli’s 100th career ECHL point.

In the second period the Grizzlies presented the Admirals with an opportunity on the five-on-three and Norfolk took advantage. Redman made the initial save on TJ Melancon, but Trevor Mingoia gathered the rebound on the back door before sending it into the nearly empty net. Mingoia’s tally would be the only marker of the second period.

In the third Norfolk would score again before Utah would come with a late onslaught. Just shy of the five-minute mark as they entered the offensive zone Mingoia fed a cross-ice pass to defenseman Jordan Abt who wristed a quick shot past Redman. Abt’s first of the season gave the Admirals a 5-0 lead. Five minutes later the Grizzlies would start to find their offense. Michael Pelech scored just over halfway thru the final frame cutting the lead to four. Utah would add two more goals over the next five minutes, but the five-goal deficit was too much to overcome. Norfolk skated out of the Maverik Center with a 5-3 victory, their second of the season.

Jake Paterson notched his first win of the season making 32 saves on 35 shots for Norfolk.

The Admirals wrap up a five-game road trip this weekend as they travel to Colorado for a pair of games Friday and Saturday against the Eagles.

Notable: Grant Besse scored his first and second career professional goals, and recorded his first career multipoint game… Trevor Mingoia has now scored in each of his last five games dating back to last season, leading the Admirals with four goals in three games this season….Angelo Miceli topped 100 career ECHL points with a four point night (1g, 3a)…Tim Daly recorded an assist against his old team.