ROCKFORD (WITI) -- Forward Spencer Abbott posted a four-point game to lead the Rockford IceHogs to a 5-3 win over the Admirals on Tuesday night, April 7th.
The Admirals finished the season series with a 7-5-0-0 record against Rockford.
The IceHogs claimed the lead at 15:26 of the first period. Rockford forward Abbott sent a pass from behind the Milwaukee net into the slot for defenseman Stephen Johns. Johns wristshot found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
Rockford made the score 2-0 when Keith Seabrook sprung Abbott on a breakaway with a long pass out of the IceHogs zone. Abbott slid the puck between the legs of Ads goalie Marek Mazanec at 1:58 of the second period.
The Admirals cut the deficit in half just 35 seconds later. Pontus Aberg’s shot from the left circle bounced off the glove of IceHogs goalie Antti Raanta and dropped into the slot. Austin Watson buried the rebound for his 25th goal of the season. Aberg and Scott Ford recorded the assists.
Milwaukee defenseman Ford was assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding at 9:26 of the second period. The IceHogs finally scored on the lengthy power play at 14:11 when Brandon Mashinter lifted a backhander past Mazanec with just 15 seconds remaining in the penalty.
Milwaukee forward Gary Steffes scored his fourth goal of the season at :59 of the third period. Defenseman Joe Piskula sent the puck from the right point behind the Rockford goal. Aberg centered to Steffes above the crease.
The IceHogs reclaimed the two-goal cushion when Seabrook snuck into the right circle without a defender near him. Vince Hinostroza found him with a pass out of the left corner and Seabrook planted his first goal of the season at 9:40 of the third period.
Abbott scored his second goal of the game with a wrist shot from the left circle at 11:17 of the third period. After this goal, Mazanec was pulled in favor of Magnus Hellberg.
Watson scored his second goal of the game, a power play tally, with 20 seconds remaining to close the scoring.
The Admirals visit Grand Rapids Wed., Apr. 8. Milwaukee returns to the BMO Harris Bradley Center to host Chicago Fri., Apr. 10 at 7pm.
Fans can purchase tickets for any Admirals game by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 FREE or online at www.milwaukeeadmirals.com.