Game Day Preview: Admirals Look to Avenge Opening Night

Norfolk Admirals (0-1-0-0) at Idaho Steelheads (1-0-0-0)

Saturday, October 14, 9:10 pm ET

Century Link Arena, Boise, ID

Last Time Out:

A 45-save performance from Jake Paterson and two power play goals weren’t enough for the Admirals on opening night as they fell to the Steelheads by a final of 4-2 Friday night.

Idaho opened the scoring in the first, when Brady Brassart took advantage of a shorthanded opportunity roofing a back-hand shot over Paterson. The Norfolk netminder would withstand a barrage of shots the rest of the period, making 21 saves on 22 shots.

In the second the Norfolk power play got the first of two goals when Angelo Miceli connected with Trevor Mingoia to even things up at 1-1. Idaho answered with two of their own in the second, taking a 3-1 lead into intermission.

The final frame saw Norfolk draw within one again on TJ Melancon’s first career goal at the 8:34 mark of the period. Idaho pushed the lead back to two late in regulation to round out the scoring at 4-2.

Former Admiral Phillippe Derosiers notched 23 saves on 25 shots in the win, while Paterson racked up 45 saves in his Norfolk debut.

First Time for Everything:

It was a night for all sorts of firsts as the Admirals made their first trip to Century Link Arena, and the Steelheads hosted an Eastern Conference team on opening night for the first time. On the ice three Admirals (Frederic Allard, Grant Besse, TJ Melancon) all made their professional debuts. Melancon, the highest scoring defenseman in the QMJHL during the 2016-17 season, notched his first career goal as well.

Keeping Rolling:

Norfolk finished 2-for-5 on the man-advantage on Friday continuing a trend of success dating back to last season. In their last five games the Admirals have gone 7-for-17 (41.2%) on the power play, including three times during that five-game span where the Admirals have scored twice on the man-up.

Forward Trevor Mingoia’s second period goal gave the forward a goal in each of his last three games dating back to last season.

Scouting the Steelheads:

Former Admiral Phillippe Derosiers anchors Idaho between the pipes. The netminder made 23 saves on opening night against Norfolk. Up front forwards Mitch Moroz and Brady Brassart each scored and added an assist on opening night. They were joined by Jefferson Dahl, and Tommy Thompson (2a) making four Steelheads to have multi-point nights on Friday.