GLENS FALLS, NY – The Norfolk Admirals closed out their three-game weekend series against the Adirondack Thunder on Sunday afternoon at Harding Mazzotti Arena. After a pair of difficult losses to begin the weekend, Norfolk looked to finish its road trip on a positive note. Despite a second-period power-play goal from Kristóf Papp that tied the game, Adirondack answered with three unanswered goals to hand the Admirals a 4-1 defeat.

Goaltender Collin Delia made the start for Norfolk, stopping 16 of the 19 shots he faced through two periods. Matt Vernon entered the game in relief to begin the third, turning aside all 14 shots he faced. Papp scored the Admirals' lone goal, while Jack O'Leary and Teddy Lagerbäck each picked up an assist.

Norfolk got off to a better start offensively, putting pressure on Adirondack goaltender Jeremy Brodeur and generating several chances in the opening period.

However, the Thunder struck first at the 5:21 mark when Patrick Grasso scored his ninth goal of the season to give Adirondack a 1-0 lead.

The Admirals continued to create opportunities as the period went on, but Brodeur kept them off the scoreboard. The physicality picked up later in the frame when Jack Pascucci and Adirondack's Jeremy Hanzel dropped the gloves at 15:23, with both players receiving five-minute fighting majors.

Despite outshooting the Thunder 12-9 in the opening 20 minutes, Norfolk headed into the first intermission trailing by one.

The Admirals found their answer early in the second period.

At 7:23, Papp capitalized on a power-play opportunity, scoring his fourth goal of the season to tie the contest at 1-1. O'Leary and Lagerbäck earned assists on the play, bringing Norfolk back on even terms.

However, the tie wouldn't last long.

At 11:14, Tyler Ashbrook scored his sixth goal of the season to put Adirondack back in front, 2-1. Just over two minutes later, Grant Loven added another at 13:40, extending the Thunder's lead to 3-1.

Norfolk continued looking for opportunities to cut into the deficit, but Adirondack limited the Admirals' chances for the remainder of the period.

The physicality carried into the closing moments of the middle frame, with both teams exchanging roughing penalties as time expired.

With 40 minutes played, Adirondack held a 3-1 advantage and a narrow 19-17 edge in shots on goal.

The Admirals made a change in goal to begin the third period, bringing Vernon into the contest in relief of Delia.

Norfolk had an early opportunity to get back into the game when the Thunder were called for a penalty just 10 seconds into the period. However, the Admirals couldn't capitalize on the power play, leaving Adirondack's two-goal advantage intact.

As the period continued, Norfolk began generating more chances, putting 15 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes. Brodeur remained sharp in net, while Vernon made several saves at the other end to keep the Admirals within reach.

With time winding down, Norfolk pulled Vernon for an extra attacker in hopes of cutting into the deficit. However, Adirondack put the game out of reach at 16:56 when Chase McLane scored into the empty net to make it 4-1.

The Admirals continued pushing through the final minutes but couldn't find another goal, as Brodeur finished the afternoon with 31 saves.

Norfolk finished the contest with 32 shots on goal compared to Adirondack's 34. The Admirals went 1-for-7 on the power play while successfully killing off all six of the Thunder's opportunities.

With the loss, Norfolk falls to 5-9-0-1 on the season and heads back home looking to get back on track after a difficult weekend in Glens Falls.

SENTARA THREE STARS OF THE GAME

ADK – Jeremy Brodeur (31 Saves on 32 Shots)

ADK – Tyler Ashbrook (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

ADK – Grant Loven (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

NEXT UP

The Admirals return to Norfolk Scope on Wednesday, November 18, for a matchup against the Trenton Ironhawks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with the two teams meeting again on Friday, November 20, at 7:05 p.m.