The Norfolk Admirals’ seven-game ECHL winning streak ended on a frigid Saturday night at Scope as the Worcester Railers scored two goals in the final 3:34 for a 6-5 victory.
Despite the forecast of a snow and ice storm, the Admirals (14-20-2-0) listed the attendance at a solid 4,496 in what became their first defeat of 2026.
The teams will play the rubber match of their three-game series at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.
Goalie Isaac Poulter had started the last eight games for Norfolk, but Alex Worthington took the loss Saturday, making 19 saves.
Two shots he didn’t save were Lincoln Hatten’s tying goal with 3:34 remaining and Matt DeMelis’ game-winner with just 15 seconds on the clock. The Railers (17-17-2-0) had six different scorers.
Kevin Conley had two goals and an assist for the Admirals in a seesaw game in which they led 1-0, 2-1, 4-3 and 5-4. Brady Fleurent and Grant Hebert also scored, and Chase Yoder’s goal gave them a 5-4 lead with 8:45 remaining.
Brody Crane, Brehdan Engum and Josh McDougall had two assists apiece for the Admirals.
Worcester goalie Tristan Lennox made 21 saves for the win.
