The Norfolk Admirals got their ECHL season off to an exciting start Friday night, going south and beating the Savannah Ghost Pirates 4-3 on returnee Brady Fleurent’s goal 2:18 into overtime before 7,485 fans on Georgia’s Atlantic coast.

Goalie Isaac Poulter, whose efforts for the Adirondack Thunder helped eliminate the Admirals from the 2024 playoffs, made 40 saves for the victory in his first Norfolk game. Evan Cormier made 20 but took the loss for Savannah, an affiliate of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Fleurent, with two goals and an assist, was the game’s No. 1 star. Norfolk’s Jaydon Dureau, who netted the night’s first goal 10 minutes and 59 seconds in, was the third star.

In the second period, Ben Zloty’s goal put the Admirals ahead 2-0. But No. 2 star Bryce Brodzinski countered with goals for Savannah 8:13 into the second period and 1:41 into the third, leveling the score at 2.

Fleurent put Norfolk ahead on a power play 5:04 into the third, only to see the Ghost Pirates’ Chris Lipe net a tying goal at 10:27.

Fleurent’s winning goal, assisted by Kristóf Papp and Brehdan Engum, put the Admirals in a good mood as they head to North Charleston Coliseum to take on the South Carolina Stingrays at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/10/18/admirals-open-echl-season-with-ot-triumph-at-savannah/