The Norfolk Admirals continued their resurgence Friday night, opening a seven-game homestand with a 2-1 victory over Wheeling before 5,626 at Scope.

It was the fifth consecutive triumph for Norfolk, which scored both of its goals in the second period to end the Nailers’ five-game winning streak.

The Nailers (25-8-1-0), affiliated with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, lead the ECHL’s North Division, and the Admirals (12-19-2-0) only recently escaped the bottom of the league. Norfolk, undefeated since the calendar flipped to 2026, will try to complete a two-game series sweep at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

Josh McDougall gained No. 1 star honors. He scored the night’s first goal 3:09 into the middle period, then joined Brehdan Engum in assisting No. 3 star Justin Young’s goal at 7:17 for a 2-0 lead.

The Nailers cut the lead in half when Logan Pietila scored 4:36 into the final period, but goalie Isaac Poulter — the No. 2 star — made seven of his 23 saves in the third period to ensure the victory.

Losing goalie Taylor Gauthier made 23 saves. The Nailers pulled him for an extra attacker for most of the last two minutes, but to no avail.

https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/01/16/admirals-start-7-game-homestand-with-5th-straight-victory/