Game Day Preview: Admirals Head West to Open Season

Norfolk Admirals (0-0-0-0) at Idaho Steelheads (0-0-0-0)

Friday October 13, 9:10 pm ET

Century Link Arena, Boise, ID

Matchup History:

Idaho and Norfolk met for the first time last season when the Steelheads traveled to Scope Arena for three consecutive mid-November games.  The Admirals took the middle game with a 4-3 OT victory, however, the Steelheads won the season series claiming the first and last game of the set.

Norfolk forward Brodie Dupont led all Admirals in the three-game set recording at least one point in each game (1g, 3a), including the overtime game-winning goal. Domenic Alberga notched a three-point game (1g, 2a) in the middle contest.

Former Admirals Aaron Harstad and Philippe Desrosiers will take the ice for the Steelheads tonight, after dressing for the Admirals last season.

Behind the Bench:

Robbie Ftorek returns for his first full season with the Admirals. Last season the bench boss guided the club to a 24-29-2-0 record after replacing Rod Aldloff in late November. With over 1,180 games of professional coaching experience, Ftorek spent time in the NHL, AHL, and OHL before coming to the Admirals. Most recently before joining the Admirals Ftorek was an assistant coach with the Abbotsford Heat in the AHL.

Go West, Young Men:

Norfolk begins the season with five road games over an eight-day span. The western swing marks the first time since joining the ECHL that the Admirals have traveled to Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. The five-game swing

Players to Watch:

The Admirals opening night roster is highlighted by a trio of players who all ranked in the top three on their respective teams in scoring last season. Forwards Brodie Dupont (Norfolk) finished third among all Admirals skaters, while Angelo Miceli (Greenville) and Erik Bradford (Utah) each led their clubs in scoring. Rookie blue-liner TJ Melancon is coming off of a season where he led all QMJHL defensemen in goals (19) while tallying a career high 44 points.

Last season, playing for the Toledo Walleye, netminder Jake Paterson finished as one of the ECHL’s top goaltenders. Paterson ranked in the top five in goals-against average (2.28-3rd), save percentage (.918-4th), wins (34-1st) and shutouts (7-1st).

Broadcast Notes: 

The Admirals are looking forward to a great product on the ice that can now, not only be seen live at the Scope, but also can be brought directly to the fans anywhere and everywhere they may be, with games broadcast live on ECHLTV and listened to, free of charge, all season long by clicking on the “listen” link at norfolkadmirals.com, now you never need to be away from the action.