GLENS FALLS, NY – The Norfolk Admirals opened their three-game weekend series against the Adirondack Thunder on Friday night at Harding Mazzotti Arena. Coming off an overtime victory against the Trenton Ironhawks last Sunday, Norfolk hoped to carry that momentum into its road trip. However, Adirondack took control early and never looked back, handing the Admirals a 6-1 defeat.

Goaltender Collin Delia started for Norfolk, finishing the night with 26 saves on 32 shots faced. Ethan Strang scored the Admirals' lone goal, while Will Gavin and Ryan Gagnon each picked up an assist.

Adirondack came out strong in the opening period, putting pressure on Norfolk's defense and keeping Delia busy in net.

The Thunder opened the scoring at 11:25 when Patrick Grasso capitalized on a power-play opportunity, giving Adirondack a 1-0 lead.

Norfolk had trouble getting much going offensively during the first period, managing just four shots on goal. With 1:10 remaining, Declan King added another for the Thunder, extending their advantage to 2-0.

Delia finished the opening period with 12 saves, but the Admirals headed into the first intermission trailing by two goals after being outshot 14-4.

The second period didn't get off to a much better start for Norfolk.

Just 1:34 into the middle frame, Grasso scored his second goal of the night to put Adirondack ahead 3-0. The Admirals had opportunities to respond, including time on the power play, but couldn't find a way past Thunder goaltender Jeremy Brodeur.

At the 10:17 mark, Harper extended Adirondack's lead to 4-0 with his second goal of the season.

Norfolk finally broke through later in the period.

At 14:14, Strang scored his third goal of the season on the power play, getting the Admirals on the scoreboard and cutting the deficit to 4-1. Gavin and Gagnon collected assists on the play.

However, the Thunder answered just over two minutes later. At 16:23, Grasso completed his hat trick, restoring Adirondack's four-goal advantage and putting Norfolk behind 5-1.

The Admirals faced another difficult moment late in the period when Adirondack's Jace Isley was awarded a penalty shot at 18:30. Delia came up with the save, denying Isley and keeping the Thunder from adding another goal before the intermission.

Despite finding the back of the net in the middle frame, Norfolk entered the second intermission trailing 5-1, with Adirondack holding a 24-12 edge in shots on goal.

The third period saw Adirondack add to its lead almost immediately.

At the 1:08 mark, Grasso scored his fourth goal of the night, giving the Thunder a 6-1 advantage. His four-goal performance accounted for most of Adirondack's offense on the evening.

Norfolk continued to push for another goal, generating 11 shots in the final period and creating a few opportunities on the power play. However, Brodeur kept the Admirals from finding the back of the net again.

The Admirals managed to outshoot Adirondack 11-8 in the third period, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

Norfolk finished the night with 23 shots on goal compared to Adirondack's 32, going 1-for-6 on the power play. The Thunder converted on their lone opportunity with the man advantage.

With the loss, the Admirals fall to 5-7-0-1 on the season and will look to bounce back in Saturday night's rematch.

SENTARA THREE STARS OF THE GAME

ADK – Patrick Grasso (4 Goals)

ADK – Shane Harper (1 Goal, 3 Assists)

ADK – Joe Hanzel (3 Assists)

NEXT UP

The Admirals will return to Harding Mazzotti Arena on Saturday night for the second game of their three-game weekend series against the Adirondack Thunder. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the series concluding Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.