Miceli Nets Pair as Admirals Fall 6-4

Loveland, CO.-The Admirals were able to come back and tie the game on two separate occasions after falling behind early, but were unable to complete a third comeback, as they fell to Colorado 6-4 on Saturday.

Forward Angelo Miceli led the Admirals recording a pair of goals. Miceli became the first Admirals skater to take a penalty shot since Norfolk joined the ECHL in 2015-16.

Colorado scored the first goal for the fourth straight game when Matt Register sent a blast from the point that beat Ty Reichenbach. Register’s goal gave Colorado a 1-0 lead after the first period.

The second period, just as on Friday night, was filled with offense. Unlike Friday the second was filled with hostilities as well. Both teams received a trio of fighting majors, the first fights of the year for both teams.

Norfolk and Colorado combined for six goals during the middle frame. Former Admiral Gabriel Verpaelst wristed the puck past Reichenbach to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Miceli answered for the Admirals getting Norfolk on the board about two minutes later. The forward received a pass from TJ Melancon at the top of the right circle and wristed a shot into the top left corner.  Four minutes later Grant Besse followed suit, beating Colorado’s Joe Cannata high to the right side, tying the game 2-2. Colorado didn’t let the game stay tied for too long however, as JC Beaudin retook the lead for Colorado two minutes later.

As they did throughout the period, Norfolk found an answer for Beaudin’s go ahead goal. Brodie Dupont took Tim Daly’s pass between the hash marks, turned, and wrist a shot high to the far side. Once again the game was tied, but not for long. Thirty seconds later Colorado’s Jesse Mychan gave the Eagles the lead once more, netting his first of the season. Colorado led 4-3 after forty minutes of play.

It was the Eagles again striking first in the third period. Ryan Harrison tipped a shot while perched in front of the net that bounced past Reichenbach. Trailing by two the Admirals were presented a rare opportunity when an Eagle defender covered the puck with his hand in the crease, handing Norfolk a penalty shot. Forward Angelo Miceli capitalized on the opportunity deking to his backhand and lifting the puck past Cannata. Trailing by one, 5-4, late in regulation the Admirals pulled the goaltender in exchange for an extra skater. A mishandled puck at the blue line turned to be costly though as Colorado’s Matt Register was credited with his second goal of the night, as the Eagles wrapped up the scoring with the empty net tally.

Norfolk outshot the Eagles 39-27. The Admirals finished the night 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Eagles finished 1-for-4.

Reichenbach made 22 saves in his second appearance of the year. Cannata recorded 35 saves in his second win.

Notable: Ben Murphy, Steven Delisle, and Alex Pompeo all received fighting majors in the second period, Norfolk’s first fights of the year….Angelo Miceli now has points in all three games he has played this season…Miceli’s penalty shot was the first for a Norfolk skater since joining the ECHL in 15-16… Trevor Mingoia had his four game goal streak ended

The Admirals return home for home opening/Pink in the Rink weekend, Oct. 27 and 28. Puck drop both nights is set for 7:00pm.

The Admirals will be hosting a press conference Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 12:00pm to unveil the Pink Smash car that will be on the plaza through Saturday night. Following the press conference media, and fans are invited to help support Breast Cancer awareness charities and take swings at the car.

Full, partial season tickets, and individual tickets are on sale now. Call 757-640-1212 or visit NorfolkAdmirals.com to purchase today.