Angeli Nets Pair Against Former Squad As Admirals Fall, 5-3

Orlando, FL – Norfolk scored three straight goals in the second period but the Admirals were not able to hang on as the Solar Bears topped Norfolk 5-3 on Monday night in Orlando.

Darik Angeli notched his fourth multi-goal game of the year in the loss. Thomas Frazee added a pair of assists for the Admirals. Jamie Murray surpassed 40 saves for the sixth time this season, making 41 saves in the loss.

Kristian Pospisil gave his team the early 1-0 lead on Monday night. The rookie skated towards the center of the ice and wristed a shot into the top corner giving Orlando the lead 5:47 into regulation. With a power play late in the period the Solar Bears would double the lead. Joshua Winquist set up Alex Gudbranson for a one-timer from the left circle that beat Jamie Murray with just over two minutes left in the period. Orlando led 2-0 after the first twenty minutes of play.

Norfolk turned up the pressure in the second period netting three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead. Eight minutes into the period Thomas Frazee pushed the puck forward off a defensive zone draw to Darik Angeli who did the rest. Angeli took the puck the length of the ice, stepping into the offensive zone and sending a shot in and out of the top corner of the net to bring the Admirals within one. Less than two minutes later the Admirals got a power play opportunity and capitalized to even the score at 2-2. Domenic Alberga, perched in front of the net, collected the rebound of a Grant Besse slap shot and tucked it past MacKenzie Skapski to tie the game.

Late in the middle frame the Admirals power play went back to work. Darik Angeli walked out from the corner and slipped a backhand shot through the five-hole to give Norfolk the lead for the first time. That lead would stick into the second intermission.

Midway through the third period Orlando knotted things up. Sam Jardine cut in front of the net and whacked his own rebound three or four times before knocking it past Jamie Murray, tying the game at 3-3. Two minutes later Martins Dzierkals scored what would end up being the game-winning goal. In the high slot Joe Perry tapped the puck to Dzeirkals who one-timed a shot into the top corner, giving the Solar Bears a 4-3 lead with just over eight minutes left in the period. Orlando would add an empty net goal late in the period to round out the scoring at 5-3.

Jamie Murray finished the night stopping 41 of 45 shots in the loss, while MacKenzie Skapski picked up the victory, stopping 31 of 34 for the Solar Bears.

Norfolk scored twice on the man-advantage going 2-for-4 while Orlando scored once (1-for-4).

The Admirals are back at home this weekend as they host the Atlanta Gladiators for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday at the Scope.