Admirals Tie Game Late But Fall in Overtime to Whale

NORFOLK, Va. – Stefano Giliati tied the game at 2-2 with only 1:39 remaining in regulation, but the Norfolk Admirals (19-9-76-2) fell to the Connecticut Whale (20-14-2-5) in overtime, 3-2, on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The Admirals will battle the Charlotte Checkers at Scope on Tuesday night at 7:15.

Goaltender Dustin Tokarski stopped 23 of 26 shots but was saddled with the loss for the Admirals. Tim Marks also scored for Norfolk.

After a scoreless opening frame, the Whale took a 1-0 lead 1:31 into the second stanza. Brodie Dupont picked off an errant pass in his own zone and rushed into the attacking zone along the left wing. He sent a shot from the top of the left circle that went between the legs of Tokarski and into the net.

The Admirals tied the game at 1-1 just under twelve minutes later on Marks’ second goal of the season. Marc-Antoine Pouliot floated a high shot from the right point toward the net. Marks deflected the shot down and under the glove of Connecticut goaltender Cameron Talbot at 13:24.

The Whale re-claimed the lead just over four minutes later on a Kelsey Tessier goal. After a blocked shot, Tessier fed the puck to Todd White and then broke toward the net. White sent a shot from the low slot that Tessier deflected on the goalmouth past Tokarski at 17:50.

Norfolk out-shot Connecticut 13-4 in the third period and sent the game to overtime after Giliati's fifth goal of the season. Radko Gudas sent a shot from the high slot that Giliati deflected past Talbot to level the score at 2-2 with just 1:39 left in regulation.

The Whale won the game with only 37.2 seconds remaining in overtime. Michael Del Zotto sent a shot on net and Jeremy Williams found the rebound in a goalmouth scramble and sent it into the net.

Dustin Tokarski (26 shots, 23 saves) took the loss. Cameron Talbot (40 shots, 38 saves) earned the win.

Norfolk was 0-4 on the power play. Connecticut was 0-1.

The Admirals return to Scope on Tuesday to battle the Charlotte Checkers at 7:15 p.m. The game will feature Admirals Family Fun Packs and will also be a Student Rush Night.

Family Fun Packs, presented by SunTrust, include four discounted Red Level Tickets for just $48 plus four free hot dogs, four free popcorns and four free sodas. Fans get all of that for just $48 – that’s a savings of $37!

Student Rush Nights provide $8 White Level Tickets (normally $12) for students with a valid current high school or college ID. In addition, when you buy a Student Rush Night Ticket, you get a buy-one, get-one free offer for the next Student Rush Night.

Family Fun Packs are available at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Student Rush Night Tickets are available ONLY at the Scope Box Office after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the game.

Individual tickets for all regular season games start at just $12. Tickets are available now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

Take advantage of great savings on Admirals tickets with our 10-Packs and group tickets. 10-Packs are available for as little as $110 and allow you to pick the games you want. Group tickets start at $10 for groups of 25 or more people. Stop by the Admirals’ Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime for more details or to purchase your tickets!

Three Stars:
1. Jeremy Williams – CT
2. Stefano Giliati – NOR
3. Kelsey Tessier – CT

NOTES … Norfolk fell to 1-7-4 in the five-minute overtime this season (2-2 in the shootout) … Norfolk has not won an overtime or shootout game at Norfolk Scope Arena this season in seven tries (five overtime losses and two shootout losses) … The Admirals have standings points in eight consecutive home games (3-0-3-1) ... Fourteen of Norfolk’s next 20 games entering tonight’s contest will be played at Norfolk Scope Arena ... Norfolk has played the fewest home games (15) in the AHL in 2010-11 ... Scratches: Mark Barberio, Chris Durno, Mathieu Roy, Mitch Fritz, Troy Milam.