Admirals take 4-2 victory over Chicago Wolves
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Admirals scored four of the game’s final five goals to take a 4-2 win over the Chicago Wolves in Amtrak Rivalry action on Wednesday night at the Bradley Center. The win was the ninth in a row at home for Milwaukee, putting them just one shy of the franchise record of ten straight, set back in 1992 and then equaled again in the 2008-09 season. The Ads will attempt to tie the record on New Year’s Day when they host the Peoria Rivermen.
Chicago grabbed an early 1-0 lead when University of Wisconsin alum Steve Reinprecht scored his second goal of the year with the Wolves on the power-play at 5:45 of the first.
The Admirals responded with a power-play goal of their own with 2:27 remaining in the first. After Chicago iced the puck, Milwaukee netminder Jeremy Smith corraled the puck behind the Milwaukee net and left it for defenseman Victory Bartley. Bartley sent an outlet pass from the Ads zone to the far blueline to Chris Mueller, who got behind the defense and then beat Wolves goalie Eddie Lack with a wrister top shelf.
Milwaukee took their first lead early in the second period when Scott Valentine ripped a one-timer from the top of the left circle that found its way through traffic and into the back of the Chicago net. The tally, which took place at the 2:35 mark of the second, was assisted by Teemu Laakso and Kyle Wilson
Chicago tied it again with a 4-on-4 goal by former Admiral Darren Haydar, who carried the puck down the slot and roofed it past Smith at 7:36
However, the Admirals responded again when Scott Ford connected on his third goal of the year at 13:10 of the second. After a scramble in front of the Chicago net Milwaukee forward Ryan Flynn chipped the puck back to Ford, who beat Lack glove side.
The got some insurance in the third period when Taylor Beck carried the puck into the Chicago zone three-onthree along with Ryan Thang and Michael Latta. Beck held the puck long enough to freeze Lack, before passing to Latta on the far post for an easy tap-in with 11:12 to play in the game.
Once again the Admirals found a balanced scoring attack as all four goals were scored by different players and 13 skaters found their way onto the scoresheet. Jeremy Smith earned his AHL-leading 16th win of the season, stopping 28 shots on the night. The win also snapped a three-game losing streak versus their Amtrak rival.
The Admirals finish off 2011 on New Year’s Eve when they travel to Grand Rapids, before commencing the 2012 portion of their schedule on Sunday, January 1st at 5:00 pm against Peoria.