Norfolk Leaps Over Hershey with 2-1 Win

Braden Holtby faced the Norfolk Admirals tonight. Photo by John Wright.

As we get closer to the end of the season, games against big teams like the Norfolk Admirals become even more important.

The Bears owned the first period. They out-shot the Admirals, stopped a Norfolk power play, and maintained the majority of puck possession. They did everything right except they couldn’t find the back of the net.

In the second period, it came back to bite them. Graham Mink was in the box for slashing when a two-on-one play led to a goal for the Admirals. Braden Holtby did his best but couldn’t get across the crease in time.

It took a while, but the Bears finally broke the shutout during a third period power play. Cody Eakin skated towards the goal but made a last second pass to Boyd Kane, who tapped the puck past Jaroslav Janus.

The lead didn’t last long as Ondrej Palat sniped once past Holtby. The goal would prove to be the game-winner as the Bears lose their fifth game in a row, 2-1.

Tonight’s Notes:

• No real surprise that Keith Aucoin was called up again after the trade deadline. He played with the Capitals last night against the New York Islanders.
• Congratulations are in order for Aucoin and his wife as their baby boy, Brayden Michael Aucoin, was born today! (s/t John Walton).
• Some other roster changes: Jacob Micflikier didn’t travel with the team due to an upper body injury. As a result, Maxime Lacroix was called up and played with the Bears for the first time since December 16th (s/t Scott Stuccio).
• Special team stats: The Bears were 1-for-3 with the man advantage. They stopped 4 of 5 Norfolk power plays.

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Eakin – Bourque
Greentree – Potulny – Mink
Lacroix – Carman – Pope
King – Carroll – Mitchell

Marshall – Collins
Brouillette – Kundratek
McNeill – Wellar

Three stars of the game:

1. Jaroslav Janus (NOR)
2. Ondrej Palat (NOR)
3. Braden Holtby (HER)