The Norfolk Admirals took yet another step up in their climb from the ECHL cellar, opening a three-game series with Worcester by defeating the Railers 5-3 Friday night before 5,017 at Scope.
The victory was the seventh in a row for the Admirals (14-19-2-0), which means they have won as many games in this undefeated January surge than they had all season before it. They still are 11 points out of a playoff berth, and Saturday’s game will be the halfway mark of the regular season.
Goalie Isaac Poulter made 31 saves for the victory, one of his busier outings during the streak. He has made eight consecutive starts.
Norfolk led 2-1 after two periods, thanks to goals by Brady Fleurent and Kristóf Papp. That came although Worcester outshot the Admirals 15-3 in the first period.
Norfolk Admirals forward Kristóf Papp (24) celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the second period against the Worcester Railers at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va., on Jan. 23, 2026. (Peter Casey / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Railers (16-17-2-1), affiliated with the NHL’s New York Islanders. quickly moved ahead 3-2 in the third period, getting goals from Anthony Callin 28 seconds in and Riley Piercey at 2:05.
The Admirals’ Chase Yoder responded at 3:49, redirecting a puck for a goal to tie the game at 3. Brehdan Engum, eventually named the night’s No. 1 star, put Norfolk ahead by scoring his first pro goal on a blue-line shot at 6:50 during a power play.
Grant Hebert, the No. 2 star, collected his third assist of the night.
Trailing 4-3, Worcester got a major opportunity when the Admirals’ David Drake was called for slashing with 2:48 remaining. By pulling goalie Parker Gahagen soon afterward, the Railers had a 6-on-4 skating advantage. But Fleurent foiled that plan, sending his 13th goal of the season into an empty net with 1:04 remaining for a 5-3 margin.
