March 24, 2018
Estero, FL. – Patrick D’Amico got the Admirals on the board first, but five unanswered goals from the Everblades pushed Florida past the Admirals 5-1 on Saturday night.
TJ Moore added an assist on the goal giving the rookie points in back-to-back games.
Norfolk opened the scoring courtesy of Patrick D’Amico on Saturday night. The forward took a pass from TJ Moore, walked down to the left circle and wristed a shot high to the glove side of Callum Booth, giving Norfolk the early lead. Less than a minute later the Everblades tied the game up. Spencer Small took a spinning slap shot from the right wall that found its way through a mass of bodies and past Ty Reichenbach, tying the game at 1-1. Midway through the period the Everblades took the lead. Short-handed Stephen Lorentz got a break away opportunity over midway through the period. Instead of shooting the forward dropped the puck to Justin McCarron who wristed a shot into the top right corner, doubling the lead. Less than a minute later the Blades pushed the lead to 3-1 as Spencer Smallman netted his second of the night and gave the Everblades a 3-1 lead after the first period.
In the second Ty Reichenbach withstood a flurry of Everblades shots, but it was a deflection in front the extended the Florida lead. Reichenbach made the initial save on a Brett Bulmer shot, but the puck deflected into the body of Justin Kea and skidded past Reichenbach.
Florida extended the lead again in the third period with the only goal of the frame courtesy of Logan Roe. Matt Berry connected with the defenseman on the backdoor for quick one-timer, wrapping up the scoring.
Ty Reichenbach finished the night with 36 saves on 41 shots in the loss. Norfolk finished the night 0-for-9 on the man-advantage, while holding Florida scoreless on four chances.
With the loss the Admirals have been eliminated from contention for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division. The Admirals will play three of the last four games at home, starting next weekend March 30 and 31 against Kalamazoo.