NORFOLK, VA – The Norfolk Admirals returned to Norfolk Scope on Friday night to open a three-game weekend homestand, welcoming the Reading Royals for the first time this season. After a back-and-forth opening 40 minutes, Michael Citara's power-play goal late in the second period proved to be the difference as Norfolk held off Reading for a 3-2 victory in front of 3,734 fans.

Goaltender Collin Delia made his return between the pipes, finishing the evening with 18 saves on 20 shots faced. Will Gavin led the Admirals with a goal and an assist, while captain Brandon Osmundson and Citara each found the back of the net.

Norfolk came out with plenty of energy in the opening period, applying pressure in Reading's defensive zone and generating several early scoring opportunities.

The Admirals broke through at the 9:51 mark when Gavin scored his fourth goal of the season to give Norfolk a 1-0 lead. Kristóf Papp and Holden Wale picked up assists on the opening tally.

Reading looked to answer as the period continued, but Delia kept the Royals off the scoreboard. Norfolk also found itself shorthanded twice following a pair of penalties to Jack Pascucci, but the penalty-killing unit held firm to preserve the one-goal advantage.

However, just as the Admirals appeared ready to take their lead into the first intermission, Reading found an answer. With only two seconds remaining, Miles Gendron scored his first goal of the season at 19:58 to tie the game at 1-1.

Despite the late goal, Norfolk controlled much of the opening frame, outshooting the Royals 11-6 through the first 20 minutes.

The Admirals wasted little time responding in the second period.

At the 3:41 mark, Osmundson put Norfolk back in front with his fifth goal of the season, beating Reading goaltender Yaniv Perets off an assist from Jack O'Leary to give the Admirals a 2-1 advantage.

The intensity picked up shortly afterward when Pascucci and Reading's Mikael Robidoux dropped the gloves at 6:19, with both players receiving five-minute fighting majors.

However, Reading responded while shorthanded just over a minute later. At 7:26, Jeremy Michel capitalized on an opportunity and scored an unassisted goal to bring the Royals even at 2-2.

With both teams looking to regain the lead, Norfolk finally found its opportunity late in the period.

At 17:29, Citara scored his second goal of the season on the power play, putting the Admirals ahead 3-2. Ryan Gagnon and Gavin earned assists on the play, with Gavin picking up his second point of the night.

The goal gave Norfolk some much-needed momentum heading into the second intermission, as the Admirals carried a one-goal advantage into the final 20 minutes. Norfolk held a 21-13 edge in shots through two periods.

The third period saw both teams tighten up defensively, with Norfolk looking to protect its lead while Reading pushed for an equalizer.

The Admirals had an opportunity to add to their advantage on the power play midway through the period but couldn't find another goal, leaving the Royals within striking distance as the clock continued to wind down.

Things became increasingly physical in the closing minutes when Teddy Lagerbäck and Reading's Kyle Haskins dropped the gloves at 18:05, resulting in fighting majors for both players.

Norfolk then faced another challenge when Gagnon was assessed a match penalty for slew-footing at 18:39. With Perets pulled for an extra attacker, the Royals had one final opportunity to tie the game as the Admirals were forced to defend their one-goal lead while shorthanded.

Despite the late pressure, Delia and Norfolk's penalty-killing unit came through when it mattered most, keeping Reading from finding the equalizer and securing a 3-2 victory.

The Admirals finished the evening with a 28-20 advantage in shots on goal, going 1-for-4 on the power play while successfully killing off all three of Reading's opportunities.

With the win, Norfolk improves to 4-5-0-1 on the season, opening its three-game weekend homestand with two points.

SENTARA THREE STARS OF THE GAME

NOR – Will Gavin (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

NOR – Michael Citara (Game-Winning Goal)

REA – Jeremy Michel (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

NEXT UP

The Admirals return to Norfolk Scope on Saturday night as they welcome the Trenton Ironhawks for the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with the weekend series concluding Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m.