ROCKFORD, Illinois -- Pierre-Cedric Labrie scored three goals to lead the Rockford IceHogs to a 5-2 win over the Admirals Tuesday night, March 8th at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
The loss dropped the Admirals into third place in the Central Division with a points percentage of .636, .002 points behind Grand Rapids. Rockford solidified its hold on first place with a points percentage moving up to .664.
Labrie has scored 18 goals this season, seven against Milwaukee.
Milwaukee’s power play gave it a 1-0 lead after one period. With IceHogs forward Garret Ross in the penalty box for a hooking violation, the Admirals Vladislav Kamenev was able to score his 10th goal of the season with a one-time slapshot from the top of the right circle. The goal was Kamenev’s fifth power play marker of the season. Stefan Elliott and Matt White recorded the assists.
The IceHogs exploded for three goals in less than five minutes during the second period to claim the lead. First, Labrie scored his 16th goal of the season with a breakaway from the Admirals blue line at 5:22. Jake Dowell deflected a shot from the right post for his 11th goal of the season at 8:24 of the second and Matt Fraser ended the scoring in the second frame with a power play goal at 10:11 of the period.
Labrie scored his second of the game, and sixth against the Admirals this season, at 2:11 of the third period.
Admirals forward Adam Payerl gave his team another goal with a floating backhander from the slot that went over the right shoulder of Leighton at 10:03 of the third period. Payerl’s ninth goal of the season was assisted by White.
Labrie completed the hat trick with a backhander from Rockford’s blue line into Milwaukee’s empty net at 18:44 of the third period.
Admirals goalie Marek Mazanec stopped 23 shots in the loss.
The Admirals return home Friday, March 11th to entertain Iowa at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.