Admirals’ comeback falls short in Wheeling

Despite Isaac Poulter’s 33 saves Saturday night, the Norfolk Admirals lost 3-2 to the Wheeling Nailers in the opener of a two-game ECHL series before 4,839 in West Virginia.

Wheeling, a Pittsburgh Penguins affiliate, moved ahead just 1:31 into the game on Brent Johnson’s power-play goal, a chance resulting from Connor Fedorek’s tripping penalty, and remained in front thereafter.

Bogdans Hodass netted a slap shot for a 2-0 edge 1:48 into the middle period, but Poulter made 15 saves in that 20-minute span to keep Norfolk from being blown out.

The Admirals’ Jack O’Leary cut the deficit to 2-1 with assists from Matt Crasa and Dustin Geregach 1:32 into the final period.

Wheeling’s Max Graham, named the night’s No. 1 star, lifted the lead to 3-1 at 10:56 of the third with a power-play goal.

With 2:43 remaining, Chesapeake native Brandon Osmundson netted his first goal of the season, a shot from the point, to pull the Admirals (2-2-1-0) to 3-2. Coach Jeff Carr pulled Poulter with more than a minute and a half remaining, but winning goalie Maxim Pavlenko and the Wheelers (3-1-0-0) stood firm.

The rematch is set for 4:10 p.m. Sunday.

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/11/01/admirals-comeback-falls-short-in-wheeling/