Admirals fall to Griffins in first game of playoffs, 3-1

MILWAUKEE -- The Admirals surrendered the final three goals of the game and dropped game one of the Central Division Semifinals by a score of 3-1 to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday Night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

This marked the 12th straight post-season game that Milwaukee has scored two or fewer goals, dating back to the 2011 playoffs.

Trevor Murphy put the Ads up 1-0 with a one-timer during a 5-on-3 at the 13:30 mark of the first period. Milwaukee was applying significant pressure on Grand Rapids and caught goalie Tom McCollum out of position when Stefan Elliott set up Murphy for a blast from the right circle and an early lead.

However, Grand Rapids would tie it up just over two minutes later when Tyler Bertuzzi beat Milwaukee netminder Juuse Saros low, short side.

The Griffins took their first lead of the night on a Martin Frk blast at 11:44 of the second and Bertuzzi followed that up with his second of the night with just under five minutes left in the middle frame and Grand Rapids was up 3-1.

The Admirals had numerous chances in the third period, including a pair of power-play chances, but they couldn't solve McCollum. The Ads outshot the Griffins 12-5 in the third and 33-22 overall in the game but couldn't find the back of the net.

Milwaukee will look to even the best-of-five series in game 2 on Saturday night at the BMOHBC before the series shifts to Grand Rapids for game three on Tuesday and game four on Wednesday.