Admirals set league record

Norfolk takes just two seconds between go-ahead goal, empty-net clincher in road sweep of Reading

Not only did the Norfolk Admirals sweep a two-game series against Reading in Pennsylvania, they set an ECHL record in the process.

With the score tied Saturday, Noah Corson beat Royals goaltender Logan Flodell with 14 seconds left in regulation to put the Admirals ahead. The Royals then pulled Flodell in favor of an extra attacker, and Alex Tonge took just two seconds to score an emptynet goal that sealed Norfolk’s 5-3 victory against the North Division-leading Royals before 3,785 fans. That was a record for the shortest time ever between goals in an ECHL game.

It was an uplifting weekend for the Admirals, who came north on a four-game losing streak and left on a two-game winning streak.

Norfolk goalie Dylan Wells gained his second victory in as many days, making 26 saves despite allowing two goals to Thomas Ebbing. Flodell had 21.

The Admirals (22-34-2-3) went ahead 3-1 in the second period on goals by Joe Widmar, Cody Milan and Chase Harwell. The Royals (36-16-6-2) erased that lead on goals by Ebbing with 44 seconds left in the middle period and Patrick Bajkov with 3:40 left in regulation.

Christian Hausinger got his third assist of the game and Widmar also assisted on Corson’s 17th goal of the season, which put Norfolk ahead 4-3. The clincher was Tonge’s team-leading 26th goal.

Friday night, the Admirals won 3-2 as Ryan Valentini scored twice before a crowd of 5,526. Norfolk killed all six of Reading’s power plays and scored on its only man-advantage opportunity. Valentini broke a 2-2 tie with a goal 9:23 into the final period, and Wells made 34 saves.

Norfolk — in sixth place in the South Division — will be back at Scope for five consecutive games in a six-day span, all against the Jacksonville Icemen. That series will start at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.