Even after yielding the tying goal with 16 seconds left in regulation, the Norfolk Admirals recovered to beat Reading 4-3 Friday night before 5,010 at Scope when Jack O’Leary scored 3:50 into overtime.

The victory perhaps began the path for the Admirals (8-18-2-0) to escape last place in the Eastern Conference and was their first home game since Dec. 12, as well as their first contest at Scope since a brief ECHL players’ strike ended.

O’Leary was named the night’s No. 1 star after his winning goal. Admirals goalie Isaac Poulter made 33 saves and was the No. 2 star.

Brady Fleurent, who had the Admirals’ first goal (on a power play) and two assists, was the No. 3 star.

Chesapeake native Brandon Osmundson scored to put Norfolk ahead 3-2 with less than three minutes to go in regulation. But the Royals (16-11-3-0) came from behind to tie the score a third time, thanks to Jacob Frasca’s power-play goal in a 6-on-4 situation at the 16-second mark after Reading pulled its goalie.

In overtime, Poulter made two saves to keep the game going until O’Leary won it.

Norfolk will play a rematch against Reading at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Scope.

https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/01/03/admirals-edge-reading-in-ot-in-first-home-game-since-dec-12/