MILWAUKEE – Despite scoring the first goal of the match, the Admirals were unable to defeat the Houston Aeros Friday, February 8th at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, dropping a 5-2 decision.
Cam Reid opened the scoring at 8:42 of the first period to give the Ads a 1-0 lead. Taylor Beck sent a quick pass from behind the net to Reid, who one timed it past Houston goalie Matt Hackett. It was the second consecutive game that Reid lit the lamp.
The Ads lead was short-lived as Houston was able to get on the board when Justin Fontaine scored unassisted at 11:09 of the first period from the top of the right circle.
Despite Milwaukee being on the power-play, Houston’s Carson McMillan was able to get a shot past Jeremy Smith at 14:49 in the first, pushing the Aeros into the lead 2-1.
At 18:46 in the second period, Jason Zucker beat Smith top shelf to stake the Aeros to a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.
Less than one minute into the third period, Kyle Medvec of Houston snapped a shot past Smith to move the Aeros lead to 4-1.
The Ads got one back when Austin Watson scored on the power-play 3:19 into the third. Taylor Beck fired a shot from the right circle that was deflected by Houston's Johan Larrson. The puck sat in front of Hackett before Watson pounced on it and fired by the Houston netminder.
The Admirals pulled Smith in favor of an extra attacker, but Fontaine scored an empty net goal, his second of the game, to seal the win for the Aeros.
Watson's goal snapped an 0-for-16 streak on the power-play for Milwaukee.
The Admirals host Peoria at 3:00 pm at the BMO Harris Bradley Center Sunday, February 10th.