Despite 36 saves by Alex Worthington, the Norfolk Admirals lost 3-2 in overtime to Worcester on Saturday night before 4,101 at Scope.
The Railers (1-3) captured a split of the two-game, two-night ECHL series as Norfolk dropped to 2-1-1-0.
Matt DeMelis scored the winning goal 4:34 into a potential 7-minute, sudden-victory overtime period. Worthington made five spots in OT before yielding the winning shot over his shoulder.
Brady Fleurent netted his third goal of the season 56 seconds into the second period, putting the Admirals ahead 1-0. Worcester’s Cole Donhauser tied the game 1-1 at 12:59 of the second.
Justin Young, off a David Drake assist, gave Norfolk a 2-1 lead at 18:17 of the second period.
Ryan Miotto provided the tying goal for the Railers on a breakaway 2:20 into the third period, and neither team scored for more than 22 minutes until DeMelis’ goal.
Worcester goalie Henrik Tikkanen made 26 saves for the triumph. He was named the night’s No. 2 star, with Worthington at No. 3 and DeMelis at No. 1.
Coach Jeff Carr’s Admirals will return to action at 7:10 p.m. Saturday against the Wheeling Nailers to begin a two-game set in West Virginia. Norfolk will be back at Scope Nov. 7-9 for a three-game series against the Adirondack Thunder.
