Norfolk, VA – Following their victory in the series opener last night, the Norfolk Admirals took to the ice at Norfolk Scope for game two of the North Division Semifinals against the Wheeling Nailers. In another impressive performance across the board, the Admirals shut out the Nailers 4-0, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
Goaltender Milic made his second consecutive playoff start and maintained his high level of play, recording 33 saves on 33 shots faced.
Just 35 seconds into the game, the Admirals took the lead with the opening goal scored by Darick Louis-Jean. This marked his second consecutive game with a goal, which resulted from an unusual bounce near the front of the net, establishing a score of 1-0 in favor of Norfolk. This goal also represented Louis-Jean's second tally of the postseason.
With five minutes remaining in the first period, Ben Zloty recorded his inaugural goal of the postseason, extending the Admirals' lead to 2-0. This goal was facilitated by an offensive faceoff, during which Zloty maneuvered from the left point to the net uncontested, successfully scoring between the five-hole. The Admirals maintained a two-goal advantage after the first period.
The Admirals continued their scoring in the second period, adding another goal eight minutes in. This goal resulted from a power play situation, during which Denis Smirnov executed a one-timer from Hank Crone, marking his first goal of the postseason. With a 3-0 lead, the Admirals sustained their competitive play while frustrations escalated on the Wheeling side.
The score stayed the same after two periods of action as the Admirals eyed to close things out in the third period.
The score remained unchanged until the final five minutes of the game, when Sean Montgomery scored his first goal of the postseason with a breakaway finish, increasing the lead to 4-0 for the Admirals. Norfolk's defense continued to excel as the game drew to a close. As the final seconds ticked away, the fans stood in jubilation, celebrating another playoff victory.
Norfolk holds a 2-0 series lead over Wheeling.
Sentara Health Three Stars of the Game
1. NOR - T. Milic (33 save shutout)
2. NOR - B. Zloty (1 goal, 1 assist, +1)
3. NOR - B. Fleurent (2 assists, +2)
What’s Next
The series will shift venues to Wheeling, West Virginia, from Game three to seven, if necessary, as the Scope will be unavailable for the remainder of the series. Game three is on Wednesday at WesBanco Arena with the puck drop at 7:10 p.m.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers