The Admirals opened up the preseason with the Charlotte Checkers. Alex Grant scored both of the Admirals goals, but unfortunately those goals were not enough. The Checkers take game 1 4-2 over Norfolk. Both teams are in action tomorrow night in Norfolk at the Scope at 7:15 PM.
CHARLOTTE, NC – Despite a two-goal performance by Norfolk’s Alex Grant, the Admirals fell to the Charlotte Checkers in the preseason opener by a 4-2 score at the Extreme Ice Center Friday afternoon.
The Admirals struck first on the power play, as Alex Grant beat Charlotte goaltender Justin Peters to give Norfolk a 1-0 lead.
Later in the period, Charlotte countered with power play strike its own. Matt Marquardt picked up a rebound in front of the net and beat Admirals netminder Frederik Andersen to tie the game at one after the first 20 minutes played.
The Checkers grabbed the lead in the final minute of the second period when Zach Boychuk scored on a tough angle shot. Charlotte took the 2-1 advantage into second break. The Admirals were outshot in the period 14-5.
Nearly eight minutes into the third, the Checkers added to their lead. Aaron Palushaj netted the second power play marker for Charlotte to extend the lead by two.
Moments later, Norfolk’s Grant lit the lamp for a second time to pull the Admirials within one with nearly six minutes remaining in regulation.
In the final minutes the Admirals continued to press to find the equalizer, but Peters turned aside everything Norfolk threw his way down the stretch.
Palushaj sealed the game with his second goal of the game, throwing the puck into the empty net to preserve the 4-2 victory.
Peters earns the win allowing two goals on 22 shots, while Andersen takes the loss stopping 27 of 30 shots faced. The Admirals finished the game 2-for-5 on the power player, while Charlotte finished 2-for-6.
The two teams meet again on Saturday for a preseason game at the Norfolk Scope. Game time is set for 7:15 p.m. Tickets for Saturday’s preseason game are $10.