Worcester Shut out by Admirals 3-0 to Wrap up Home Weekend
Published on December 20, 2025 under ECHL (ECHL)
Worcester Railers HC News Release
Worcester Railers forward Lincoln Hatten
(Worcester Railers HC)
WORCESTER - The Railers' recovery from a slow start has been fueled by great goaltending. They got some again Saturday night but it wasn't enough as they were shut out by the Norfolk Admirals, 3-0.
Isaac Poulter made 22 saves to record the whitewash for the winners. It was the second of his career against Worcester. The other one happened almost exactly three years ago. He blanked the Railers, 7-0, on Dec. 23, 2022 while playing for Adirondack.
Thomas Gale was the losing goalie for Worcester but turned in a winning performance and earned the Number 3 star. He made just his second start of the season, first since Nov. 9. He has also made one relief appearance. Tristan Lennox, just off the injured list, was the Railers' backup. Parker Gahegan got the night off completely after having appeared in nine straight games.
The visitors beat Gale just once. Their last two goals were empty netters. He made 23 saves and kept it a winnable game.
Shutouts happen, but this one was especially painful since Norfolk's only regulation goal was shorthanded. Chase Yoder scored it at 14:34 of the second period as the Railers mishandled the puck behind their own net.
It came out to Yoder just outside the crease and he was able to get it past Gale.
Jack Jaunich and Kristof Papp had the empty net goals.
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Norfolk. Admirals were 2-15-0 in their previous 17 games before Saturday night.
They kept the Railers pinned in their own zone for long stretches of the game and blocked a lot of shots in front of Poulter. Any good chances Worcester had, Poulter took care of.
Gale's performance was the latest in a long string of standout games by Railers goaltenders. Worcester is 10-5-0 in its last 15 games. Its goalies have posted a 1.82 goals-against average in that span and a remarkable .941 saves percentage.
The game was the 72nd as head coach for Nick Tuzzolino. That is the equivalent of a full ECHL season. His record for those games is 37-27-8, good for a .569 winning percentage.
That is second to the IceCats' Don Granato among the city's various coaches.
MAKING TRACKS - Aside from the goaltender the Railers went with the same lineup as Friday night. ... The Railers and Admirals are scheduled to play four more times this season, three of the games in Norfolk. The DCU Center game is set for March 11. ... The schedule has Worcester playing four more games in 2025. They are at Maine Friday, at home Saturday and Sunday versus Adirondack, and New Year's Eve at Wheeling.
Images from this story
 Worcester Railers forward Lincoln Hatten |
ECHL Stories from December 20, 2025
- Gargoyles Come Back To Take Overtime Point Against Wheeling - Greensboro Gargoyles
- Americans Sweep Tulsa with a 6-0 Shutout Win - Allen Americans
- Arcuri's Hat Trick Fuels Steelheads in 7-1 Rout of Rush - Idaho Steelheads
- Leyh Gets AHL Call Up - Greensboro Gargoyles
- Idaho Trumps Rush, 7-1 - Rapid City Rush
- Bison Lose to Wings - Bloomington Bison
- Kirwan Completes Comeback, 'Clones Defeat Komets, 4-3, in Overtime - Cincinnati Cyclones
- K-Wings Stun Bison in Final Minute Saturday - Kalamazoo Wings
- Grizzlies' Comeback Bid Falls Short in Kansas City - Utah Grizzlies
- Hawkins Scores Four as Walleye Take Four Straight Games from Iowa - Toledo Walleye
- Oilers Shut out by Americans - Tulsa Oilers
- Komets Drop Another Close One in Overtime - Fort Wayne Komets
- Swamp Rabbits Extend Point Streak to Four Games in Overtime Loss - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Heartlanders End Pre-Holiday Slate with Loss to Walleye - Iowa Heartlanders
- Florida Defeats Savannah 4-2 - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Nailers Spread Holiday Cheer with OT Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Grasso, Brodeur Shine in Thunder's 4-2 Win over Royals - Adirondack Thunder
- Worcester Shut out by Admirals 3-0 to Wrap up Home Weekend - Worcester Railers HC
- South Carolina Shut out by Orlando, 5-0 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Admirals Capture First Shutout in Victory over Worcester - Norfolk Admirals
- A Well-Deserved Holiday Break for the Lions - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Mariners Shut out in Trois-Rivieres - Maine Mariners
- ECHL Transactions - December 20 - ECHL
- Solar Bears Sign Goaltender Colby Muise - Orlando Solar Bears
- K-Wings Mourn Loss of Alan 'Gramps' Forrester - Kalamazoo Wings
- Yaniv Perets Recalled by Lehigh Valley; Brandon Kasel Added as EBUG - Reading Royals
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspension - ECHL
- Rush Game Notes: December 20, 2025 - Rush at Idaho Steelheads - Rapid City Rush
- Blades Aim to Reset against Ghost Pirates - Florida Everblades
- Game Day Preview: Americans at Tulsa, 7:05 PM - Allen Americans
- Ghost Pirates Rally for 3-2 Win over Florida - Florida Everblades
- Rush Respond With 4-3 Victory In Idaho - Rapid City Rush
- Gladiators Dominate Special Teams Battle in 3-2 Win Over Icemen on Marvel Night - Atlanta Gladiators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
