Norfolk, VA.- A fast start by the Monarchs proved to be the key as they topped Norfolk 7-1 on Wednesday night in Norfolk.
Norfolk forward Brady Vail picked up his fourth goal in the last two games while Grant Besse saw his five-game point streak come to an end. Norfolk was held to a season low five-shots in the second period.
It took the Monarchs less than a minute to get on the board. Zac Lynch took a pass from behind the net and tapped it past Jake Paterson for a 1-0 lead. Shortly after the Manchester power play went to work scoring back to back goals. Matt Marcinew and Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman scored on back to back power plays to push the lead to 3-0. Before the end of the frame Norfolk would manage to break through and find the back of the net. Brady Vail waited out the goaltender, before snapping a shot from the left side that found the back of the net. Vail’s fourth in his last two games cut the deficit to two at the first intermission.
In the second period Manchester pushed the lead back to four goals then kept going with three consecutive goals in the frame. Goals from Kevin Morris, Sam Kurker, and LaVallee-Smotherman once again ran the score to 6-1 after two periods of play.
In the third Manchester tacked on one more goal, rounding out a 7-1 game.
The Monarchs finished the night 3-for-9 on the man-advantage, while Norfolk was 0-for-6. Jake Paterson stopped 33 of 40 shots in the loss. Charles Williams made 16 saves on 17 shots in the win.
Norfolk and Manchester are back in action on Friday and Saturday nights rounding out the weekend series.
Full, partial season tickets, and individual tickets are on sale now. Call 757-640-1212 or visit NorfolkAdmirals.com to purchase today.