Vernon’s Masterpiece Propels Norfolk To 3-0 Win

***This was written by The Hockey News contributor Reg Lansberry***

SAVANNAH— The apple did not fall far from the tree.  Making his Norfolk debut, 28-year-old Matt Vernon turned aside 33 shots to lead the visiting Admirals to a 3-0 victory over the Savannah Ghost Pirates before a boisterous Friday night crowd at Enmarket Arena in the 2026-27 ECHL opener for both clubs.

Asserting themselves physically, the Admirals tallied the only goals they would need just 2:01 apart. An alert Will Gavin, also in his first game wearing Admirals’ livery, corralled the puck off the kickplate and banked it off Savannah goaltender Vinnie Purpura at 4:32 for what was the game winner. Grant Hebert made it 2-0 when he tipped a long wrist shot from the left point by defenseman Brehdan Engum past Purpura’s glove side at 6:33. 

Beginning his third season behind the bench, Savannah head coach Jared Staal acknowledged the Admirals got stronger as the game went on while his club suffered from “a little energy dip” in the second period after a high-octane first, albeit with nothing to show for it.  

An affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, Staal’s opening night roster was vastly different compared to the one that concluded the 2025-26 campaign. In addition to integrating new personnel, he is installing an aggressive forechecking system thatmaximizes pressure as do both the Panthers and Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, who Staal played for during his career.  

“I think tonight was a good learning experience,” Staal said. “Our style is different compared to other teams and with the new guys we have, I kind of expected what happened tonight.  There was some chaos out there but the important thing will be for us to stick with it.”  

Staal added that the style he is implementing is “A fun way to play.  Once we clean a few things up and the players all realize what their job is I think we will be okay.”  

Though the Ghost Pirates outshot the Admirals 33-18, they did not get many second chances as the compact Vernon, listed at 5-11, 165 lbs., was adroit in limiting rebounds and directing initial shots toward the corners. The third period was a carbon copy of the second as Norfolk defended stoutly. For that reason, their two shots on goal was misleading. 

Staal pulled Purpura in favor of a sixth attacker with 2:25 remaining. Despite several flurries at a yawning net, Norfolk’s final goal was scored into the empty cage by forward Brandon Osmundson. His wrist shot, virtually parallel to the goal line from the left wing boards, found twine at 19:48.  

Mere seconds later Vernon’s masterpiece was complete. To the abundant dismay of the home folks, his canvas was blank.

***This was written by The Hockey News contributor Reg Lansberry***