St. John’s erupted for four goals in the third period and defeated Norfolk, 5-3, to take a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Saturday night.
Jerome Samson‘s goal with 9:20 to play in regulation — just 65 seconds after Norfolk had re-tied the score at 3-3 — was the game-winner. Josh Morrissey, Ben Chiarot and Adam Lowry also scored in the final frame for the IceCaps, who trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Max Friberg, Jesse Blacker and Josh Manson tallied the goals for the Admirals, who had an eight-game home playoff winning streak (dating back 2012) snapped.
Michael Hutchinson (5-2) turned aside 24 shots for St. John’s. Brad Thiessen (0-1), seeing his first action since Apr. 18 after John Gibson was recalled by the parent Anaheim Ducks earlier in the day, stopped 26 of 30 shots in the loss.
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Norfolk.
Eastern Conference Semifinals – Series “I” (best-of-7)
4-St. John’s IceCaps vs. 8-Norfolk Admirals | Series Snapshot
Game 1 – Tue., May 6 – Norfolk 3, ST. JOHN’S 1
Game 2 – Wed., May 7 – ST. JOHN’S 2, Norfolk 1
Game 3 – Sat., May 10 – St. John’s 5, NORFOLK 3
Game 4 – Mon., May 12 – St. John’s at Norfolk, 7:15
Game 5 – Tue., May 13 – St. John’s at Norfolk, 7:15
*Game 6 – Fri., May 16 – Norfolk at St. John’s, 6:00
*Game 7 – Sat., May 17 – Norfolk at St. John’s, 6:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern