Admirals bitten by Griffins, 5-1

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- In front of over 700 dogs for Dog Day Afternoon, the Milwaukee Admirals fell to Grand Rapids 5-1 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center Sunday evening, despite outshooting the Griffins 35-22 .

The Griffins took a one goal lead just 3:10 into the first period off an Andrej Nestrasil goal. Nestrasil weaved through the Admirals defense and took an odd-angled shot facing Ads goalie Jeremy Smith’s stick side, but was able to lift the puck over the shoulder of the Admirals netminder.

Grand Rapids added to their lead when Nathan Paetsch sent a long-shot onto net and Jeff Hoggan tipped it out of mid-air and over Smith’s right shoulder, giving the Griffins a 2-0 lead at 13:35 in the first period.

The third goal came for the Griffins at 8:32 in the second period when the Admirals failed to clear the puck and Tomas Jurco took advantage. Paetsch and Jan Mursak both fired in shots which Smith was able to deflect away, but the second deflection fell directly to Jurco who was able to tap it into the back of the net giving the Griffins a 3-0 lead.

The Admirals closed the gap when Victor Bartley scored a power play goal at 5:17 in the third period. Chris Mueller found Bartley sneaking backdoor, who then sniped it past the glove of Griffins goalie Tom McCollum.

The Griffins laid the final blow with just 2:16 left in the period when Gustav Nyquist settled the puck behind the Admirals net and found a crashing Francis Pare who slapped it past Smith’s glove.

Mursak piled on an empty-net goal to the score with a minute left in the game.

The Ads return to action this Friday night at 7:00 pm against the Chicago Wolves at the BMOHBC.