Admirals fall to Stars in OT, 1-0

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Texas Stars forward Brett Ritche scored the game-winning goal at 11:44 of overtime to give the Stars a 1-0 lead over the Admirals in their best-of-five Western Conference Quarterfinals Friday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Milwaukee got on the board first when Patrick Cehlin slammed a one timer from the left dot past Texas netminder, Cristopher Nilstorp, with the Admirals on a power-play.

The Stars equalized the score with only 16 seconds remaining in the opening period. After ringing a shot off the far post in their previous attack, the Stars managed a quick rush from their own zone that resulted in a goal by Matt Fraser. The puck skipped away from Colton Sceviour and onto the blade of Travis Morin whose shot was deflected past Admirals goaltender Magnus Hellberg by Fraser.

With Texas on the man-advantage due to a boarding infraction by Brad Winchester, the Stars picked up the lead in the second period at 9:09 when Kevin Connauton threw a wrister over Hellberg’s gloveside.

The final period kicked off with the Stars leading the Admirals 2-1. Multiple penalties in the third put Milwaukee on a 4 v 3 powerplay allowing the Ads to catch up with 12:49 remaining in regulation time. Zach Hamill found a hole top shelf and lit the lamp off a pass from Brad Winchester.

Regulation time ended with game tied at two.

Although the Ads were forced to kill a penalty when Scott Ford was called for holding during overtime, the game continued deadlocked until Mike Hedden of Texas connected a pass to Ritchie at center ice who skated the puck into the Milwaukee zone put a shot top shelf past a partially screened Hellberg for the GWG.

Hellberg continued his recent strong play, turning aside stunning 41 saves during the match.

The two teams will go at it for game two at 7:00 pm Saturday night at the BMO Harris BC.