Worcester too much for Admirals' depleted defense

It was a blast from the past, but when you're the Norfolk Admirals, that's one blast you could have done without.

Riley Armstrong notched a hat trick Friday night as Worcester buried the depleted Admirals 5-1 in Worcester, Mass.

The game marked a dramatic departure from the poised, defense-first style that's marked Norfolk's recent play. Worcester's five goals were one fewer than the Admirals (13-18-1-4) allowed in their previous four games combined. Norfolk's 56 penalty minutes were 17 more than it accumulated in its prior three games combined.

In the Admirals' defense, they had to play without most of theirs. Because of injuries and recalls, Norfolk dressed just four true defensemen, including two who have spent much of the season in the ECHL.

The Admirals also were victims of bad luck. An Amstrong centering pass from behind the Norfolk net caromed in off goalie Mike McKenna's skate. Later, a Matt Fornataro shot saved by McKenna ricocheted off the glass and onto the top of the net before rolling over the crossbar, bouncing off McKenna's back and trickling over the goal line.

Norfolk concludes its three-game road trip at 7 tonight in Portland.