Admirals top Rampage in season opener, 2-1

SAN ANTONIO -- Pontus Aberg and Vladislav Kamenev scored goals and Juuse Saros stopped 22 shots in goal to lead the Milwaukee Admirals to a 2-1 win over the San Antonio Rampage in the season opener Saturday night.

In a penalty-filled game, Saros allowed just a power play goal in the second period. The Admirals were penalized 11 times for 22 minutes in the game while San Antonio was called for nine infractions totaling 18 minutes.

Kamenev scored the game-winner at 8:38 of the third period with a strong rush to the net. Admirals forward Harry Zolnierczyk forced a turnover at the red line with a body check on Rampage defenseman Chris Bigras. Kamenev scooped up the puck and skated to the front of the net. His first shot was stopped but he stayed to push the rebound through the legs of goalie Jeremy Smith.

Milwaukee scored the first goal of the game with a power play tally at 7:28 of the first period. Adam Payerl fed a pass from the blue line to Trevor Smith in the right circle. Smith swept a pass into the left circle for a quick shot by Aberg which found its way across the goal line. Aberg led the Ads with 25 goals last season.

The Rampage tied the game with a power play goal at 13:47 of the second period. Mikko Rantanen’s shot from the right circle was stopped but A.J. Greer was able to scramble after the puck and put in into the cage for his first professional goal.

Milwaukee and the Rampage will meet again at the AT&T Center in San Antonio Sunday afternoon. The Ads commence their home schedule on Saturday, October 29 at 6 pm when they host the Iowa Wild at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.