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This weekend inside Scope Arena, the Norfolk Admirals look to clinch a playoff spot — something they have not done in a decade. According to the current ECHL Kelly Cup projections for all March 25 games, the magic number for the Admirals is two.

After a huge 6-2 win over the division-leading Adirondack Thunder on Sunday, the Admirals are four points away from a postseason spot and four points off the division lead. 

With the struggling Atlanta Gladiators (20-40-4) coming to town, the Admirals’ time to strike is prime.

Norfolk is peaking at the right time. With only eight games left to play, the Admirals are sporting a 17-4-2 record in their last 23 games and are currently on a league-leading eight-game home winning streak.

After finishing a dismal 21-46-2-3 and last in the ECHL a year ago, this year’s Admirals team has made a miraculous turnaround, led by first-year head coach and general manager Jeff Carr, who is making a strong case for ECHL coach of the year.

Carr joined the team in August 2022 as an assistant coach and was elevated to head coach in November after Rod Taylor stepped down after opening the 2022 campaign 1-7.

The puck drops Friday at 7:05 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. on Saturday.