Jacksonville’s Third Period Comeback Bid Falls Short

Written by Kristopher Clark

NORFOLK, VA  –   Ben Duffy scored a hat-trick as the Norfolk Admirals edged the Jacksonville Icemen by a 5-3 score Friday Night at Scope. The Icemen pulled within one late in the contest, but could not net the equalizer. 

Jacksonville jumped out in front early with a goal from Wacey Rabbit. The Admirals were unable to clear the puck out of the Norfolk zone which led to a chance for Jacksonville. Cody Fowlie was able to keep the puck in the Norfolk zone at the blue line. Fowlie fed the puck to Wacey Rabbit in the slot who was able to fire a slap-shot past the glove of Ty Reichenbach to give Jacksonville a 1-0 lead at 3:11 of the first period.

Four minutes later, Norfolk tied the game with a goal from Brant Sherwood. Mitch Hall gathered the puck from along the wall and fed Domenic Alberga at the edge of the Norfolk zone on the left side. Alberga then stretched a pass to Sherwood who skated in on Christian Frey on the left side. Sherwood cut across the ice, waited out the goaltender, and roofed the shot over the outstretched glove of Frey to tie the game at one.

The Admirals took the lead on a goal from Ben Duffy. Connor Hurley cleared the puck out of the Norfolk zone and led a rush the other way for Norfolk which was a two-on-one. Horn received the pass in the right circle and then found Duffy in the left circle for a one-timer which went right past the glove of Frey to give Norfolk a 2-1 lead at 17:17 of the first period.

Norfolk extended its lead with another goal from Ben Duffy halfway through the second period. Jake Wood sprung the Admirals into the Jacksonville end on an odd man rush. Duffy gathered the puck and had it knocked away in the slot. Duffy then regained control in the right circle and fired a backhand shot over the glove of Frey to give Norfolk a 3-1 edge. 

The Admirals extended their lead to three goals early in the third, with a goal from Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez dumped the puck into the left corner and went to battle for it along the boards. The puck came free and ricocheted right into the crease where Rodriguez poked the puck past Frey to give Norfolk a 4-1 lead.

Jacksonville attempted a valiant comeback effort for the remainder of the period.  Cameron Critchlow raced to a loose puck at the low circle and spun a shot that clipped past Reichenbach for goal to pull the Icemen within two.

In the closing minutes, Dajon Mingo pulled Jacksonville closer. Jake Randolph dumped the puck into the right corner. Kris Newbury dug it out and played into the point for Mingo. An Admirals player fell in-front of the net which allowed Mingo to get open and skate to the low circle. Mingo found the puck in the faceoff dot and fired a wrister that beat Reichenbach to cut the Norfolk lead to 4-3.

Duffy added a late empty-net goal to complete the hat trick and secure the 5-3 final score. Ty Reichenbach was strong as he made 31 saves on 24 shots and wins his 21st game of the year, while Christian Frey made 17 saves on 21 shots and takes the loss for Jacksonville.

BOX SCORE / GAME SHEET

ROSTER MOVES:  Prior to the game, goaltender Ken Appleby was recalled by Manitoba of the American Hockey League (AHL).  However, defenseman Justin Woods returned to the Icemen lineup after his recent stint with Manitoba. 

The two teams will close out the week on Saturday at the Norfolk Scope at 7:00 p.m. Fans can catch the game broadcast on Mixlr and on ECHL.TV

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions.

Friday, March 29, vs. Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. – Jumbo Shrimp Night!  Join us in celebrating our neighbors from across the street.  The team will wear specialty Jumbo Shrimp jerseys that are a home run! 

Saturday, March 30, vs. Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. – Fan Appreciation Night!  The final home game of the regular season, and there will be a team photo giveaway and other giveaways throughout the night for the best fans in the ECHL!

The 2018-19 Jacksonville Icemen Season is Presented by Community First Credit Union

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