Admirals top the Griffins, 4-1

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WITI) -- Zach Hamill recorded a goal and an assist in his first game with the Milwaukee Admirals to help the team to a 4-1 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins Friday night at Van Andel Arena.

The win moved Milwaukee’s record to 37-27-4-3 (81 points). The team remains tied for the eighth, and final, playoff spot in the Western Conference with five games left in the regular season.

The game was not only notable for the win. Admirals defenseman Scott Ford played his 295th game with Milwaukee, which pushed him past Kelsey Wilson for the most games played for the Admirals in the team’s AHL history. Wilson played 294. Darren Haydar played 293.

Admirals goalie Magnus Hellberg continued his strong play. He stopped 30 shots for his 18th win of the season.

Milwaukee took an early lead with a power play goal at 3:32 of the first period. Captain Mike Moore fired a shot from the left point that was re-directed into the net by the newest Admiral, Hamill. The goal was Hamill’s first as an Admiral and 17th in the AHL this season with Moore and Patrick Cehlin recording the assists.

The Admirals grabbed a 2-0 lead when Brad Winchester’s snapshot from the top of the right circle beat goalie Tom McCollum over his shoulder. The goal was Winchester’s ninth of the season and was assisted by Josh Shalla and Mattias Ekholm.

Griffins defenseman Brett Skinner put his team on the board at 2:09 of the second period with a shot from the right point that trickled under the right leg of Hellberg.

Kevin Henderson returned a two-goal cushion to Milwaukee with his 15th goal of the season at 4:22 of the third period. Zach Budish knocked a puck from the right wing boards to Henderson who carried to the slot before firing a low slapshot off the left post and into the net. Budish recorded the lone assist.

Mattias Ekholm added an empty-net power play goal with 1:03 to play. Hamill recorded the lone assist.

The Admirals return home Saturday, April 13 to host the Rockford IceHogs.