Admirals lose in a shootout

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Mike Vernace scored twice in the second period to tie the game, but the Norfolk Admirals (4-0-1-1) fell to the Binghamton Senators (3-3-1-0), 3-2 in a shootout, on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The Admirals now embark on a seven-game road trip beginning tomorrow evening against the Charlotte Checkers.

 

Goaltender Jaroslav Janus (2-0-1) stopped 36 of 38 shots in regulation and overtime before allowing two goals on four attempts in the shootout.

 

Binghamton got on the board first 10:06 into the game on the power play. Patrick Wiercioch sent a long pass from his own zone to former Admiral Mark Parrish at the Norfolk blueline. Parrish had a partial breakaway on Janus and sent a shot past the goaltender’s glove for a 1-0 Senators lead.

 

The visitors’ lead doubled just over five minutes later. Josh Godfrey sent a pass from the Admirals zone to Andre Petersson for another partial breakaway. Petersson’s shot eluded the glove of Janus at 15:14 for a 2-0 Binghamton lead after one period.

 

Vernace's efforts tied the game late in the second period. Norfolk cut its deficit to one goal 17:21 into the stanza on the power play. Alexandre Picard attempted a pass across the slot from the bottom of the right circle that hit traffic in the low slot. However, the puck landed on the blade of Vernace, who sent a quick shot over the blocker of Senators goaltender Robin Lehner for his first goal of the season.

 

It took Vernace little time to double his season goal total and to tie the game at 2-2. Pierre-Cedric Labrie spotted Vernace with a pass from the right point. Vernace’s shot from the left point went through traffic and between the glove and left leg of Lehner at 18:55.

 

The Admirals out-shot the Senators, 15-5 in the third period, but were unable to get a shot past Lehner. After a scoreless overtime, Mike Hoffman and Andre Petersson scored in the third and fourth round of the shootout, respectively. Lehner stopped all four Norfolk shooters as the Senators out-scored the Admirals, 2-0 in the shootout, for the victory.

 

Jaroslav Janus (1-1-1) turned aside 36 of 38 shots for the shootout loss. Robin Lehner (3-1-0) stopped 37 of 39 shots for the win.

 

Norfolk was 1-5 on the power play. Binghamton was 1-3.

 

The Admirals now embark on a seven-game road trip beginning tomorrow evening against the Charlotte Checkers. The puck drops from Time Warner Cable Arena at 5:00 p.m. This game will only be available via 1021TheGame.com due to Washington Redskins football. You can also watch on a pay-per-view basis at AHLLive.com.

 

The Admirals return to Scope on Wednesday, November 9, to take on their East Division rivals, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. in the first Admirals Value Night of the 2011-12 season.