October 27, 2017
Norfolk, VA.- Brady Vail netted the first hat trick of his professional career, and Grant Besse notched three assists, but the Admirals came up just short against the defending Eastern Conference champs on Friday night, 5-4.
Vail, Besse, and Erik Bradford all had multipoint games for Norfolk. The Admirals stayed out of the box limiting the Stingrays to only one opportunity on the man-advantage. Both teams were perfect on the power play.
The first six minutes of the game set the tone for an exciting first period. Nick Johnson opened the scoring for the Stingrays, scoring 2:24 into the opening period. Norfolk answered right back, as Brady Vail got his first goal of the night. Cutting across the top of the slot, Vail ripped a one time that beat Jakaitis to tie the game at 1-1. Shortly after newcomer Joe Sova gave the Admirals their first lead of the night. The defenseman, jumping into the rush, took a pass from Grant Besse and lifted a back hand through the arm of the goaltender. Less than a minute later Vail struck again. Erik Bradford forced a turnover in the high slot, sending a shot towards the net. The rebound kicked off to the left where a waiting Brady Vail sent it past Jakaitis, for a 3-1 lead. South Carolina found an answer after the third Norfolk goal, cutting the lead to 3-2.
Before the end of the frame Vail would complete the hat trick. Once again from the left side of the net Vail gathered in a rebound, this time his own before giving Norfolk a 4-2 lead. After twenty minutes the Admirals led the Stingrays by two.
The first period tallies were all Norfolk would manage as South Carolina went on to score three unanswered in the second. After forty minutes South Carolina led 5-4 and that’s where the score would end.
Jake Paterson made 32 saves on 37 shots in the loss while Jake Jakaitis notched 24 saves.
Norfolk dropped to 2-4-0-0 on the season while South Carolina moved to 3-0-0-0. The teams will be back in action tomorrow night for Pink in the Rink night presented by Sentara Cancer Network. The Admirals will be wearing special Pink jerseys that will be auctioned off.
Full, partial season tickets, and individual tickets are on sale now. Call 757-640-1212 or visit NorfolkAdmirals.com to purchase today.
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