Strong Start Not Enough as Rabbits Squeak by Admirals

NORFOLK, VA -  The Norfolk Admirals were looking to win their second game in a row as they took the ice against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday Night for Star Wars Night, as they turned to Brandon Halverson for his second straight start.

Norfolk was able to get on the board first, but Jeremy Helvig used the force to propel the Swamp Rabbits to victory.

Norfolk jumped on the board early, scoring just 3:36 into the first period. Alex Rodriguez led the Admirals into the Greenville zone on an odd man rush. Rodriguez skated through the center of the ice and fired off a shot that was saved by Helvig, and fell to the stick of River Rymsha who was able to bear Helvig while falling into the net to give Norfolk a 1-0 lead.

Greenville responded a few minutes later with a goal from Liam Pecararo. Nathan Perkovich fed a pass that was tipped into the Norfolk zone by Pecararo, split two defenders and fired a wrister that deflected off the glove of Halverson and into the net to tie the game at one.

The Swamp Rabbits took their first lead of the game with a goal from Kamerin Nault. Perkovich fed a pass up the ice that was tipped by Pecararo where he was able to split two Admirals defenders and his shot went off the glove of Halverson to tie the game at one.

Greenville added another goal later in the second period. Norfolk had control of the puck and their defender was hooked down to the ice which led to a rush the other way for Greenville. Johno May skated to the right circle fired a wrister over the glove of Halverson to pad the Greenville lead to two.

Norfolk cut into the the Swamp Rabbits lead with a power-play goal in the third period. Phil Hudon fed the puck to Alex Rodriguez in the right circle who was able to one-time a wrister past Helvig to cut the lead to 3-2.

Norfolk got many chances late in the third period, including one in the final minute of the period where Josh Holmstrom fired a pass towards the net that was redirected by his brother, Ben, but was saved by the toe of Helvig and stayed out as the Admirals fell by a final score of 3-2. Helvig made 45 saves and picked up his fourth win of the season. Halverson made 18 saves on 21 shots and takes the setback.

The Admirals are back in action on Friday, December 13 against the South Carolina Stingrays for Summer in December Night. Then on Saturday, it’s Teddy Bear Toss Night as Norfolk squares off against the Gladiators of Atlanta. Tickets are on sale at the Scope Box Office or Ticketmaster through norfolkadmirals.com/tickets.

Written by Kristopher Clark