Wheeling Nailers Fall To Norfolk Admirals: Game One

Playoff season has commenced with the ECHL kicking off the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs Wednesday night with the Wheeling Nailers battling it out with the Norfolk Admirals at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA.

Unfortunately, the Nailers came away with goose egg in the win column to start off playoffs. Thomas Milic, goaltender for the Norfolk Admirals posted a perfect game. Milic stopped 29 shots from the Nailers. Brady Fleurent and Grant Hebert were part of the Admirals success last night making it a 4-0 game to take the win home. Darick Louis-Jean netted the first goal past Sergei Murashov. Jack O’Leary scored the fourth and final goal of the night on a Nailers empty net.

In the first period, the Nailers outshot the Admirals 16-8, but some unlucky bounces gave the Admirals a 2-0 lead. Wheeling outshot the Admirals, 16-8 in the first period, but a couple of bounces gave the home team a 2-0 advantage. It was an uneventful second period with no action from either side.

Sergei Murashov was re-assigned earlier this week from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, while Taylor Gauthier was sent to Wilkes-Barre. Murashove made 25 saves on 28 shots from the Admirals.

Game two of round one continues tonight at Norfolk Scope Arena at 7:05 pm

-Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network

-Photo Credit/Norfolk Admirals