Shorthanded Admirals Valiant In Defeat To 73’s

The Amherstburg Admirals put forth a valiant effort to stay with the first-place Essex 73’s on Tuesday night in Essex.

Starting the game with 10 forwards, one of them being an AP call-up, the Admirals quickly went down to eight forwards after losing two more to injury in the first period. The high-powered 73’s took advantage, scoring twice and peppering Admirals goaltender Joe Costea with 25 shots through the first 20 minutes of play.

Essex extended their lead to 3-0 midway through the 2nd, but from there on the Admirals turned the tide despite having so few bodies left on the bench. Braeden Armstrong and Ryan Dufour scored for Amherstburg to cut the lead to one to make for a surprising intermission scoreline.

The Admirals began the third down yet another player, after captain Derek Berdusco scrapped with Essex forward Connor McCracken late in the period to receive a game misconduct. With the game on the line, Essex capitalized on a power-play opportunity early in the third to give themselves an important two-goal lead. The Admirals did their best to slow down the 73’s for the rest of the period, but their tired legs kept them from mustering much in the way of scoring threats. Essex would add a late empty-netter and went on to win the game by a 5-2 Final score.

Joe Costea made 43 saves and took home 3rd star of the game honours for his strong performance. It was the second time this season that the rookie netminder piled up 40+ saves, while Ryan Dufour’s second period tally was the first of his junior hockey career.

The Admirals next chance to get back into the win column comes on Friday night when the team travels to Dresden to take on the Kings for the second time this season.