Admirals top IceHogs 2-1; make up for Wednesdays loss against the Heat

October 30, 11:49 PMMilwaukee Admirals ExaminerStephanie Muraro

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Admirals forward Ben Eaves (Photo by Scott Paulus)

After blanking Wednesday against the Abbotsford Heat, the Admirals redeemed themselves with a big win Friday night at the Bradley Center. In their second meeting of the season, the Admirals beat the Rockford IceHogs 2-1, evening the season record between the clubs at one game a piece. Friday night's performance was a vast improvement from Wednesday nights showing, thanks to improved teamwork and strong special teams.

The Admirals kicked off the week with a Wednesday night contest against the Abbotsford Heat, marking the first time in franchise history the Heat had been to Bradley Center. The Heat, who operated in Moline, IL last season as the Quad City Flames, serve as the development team for the NHL's Calgary Flames. Wednesday night was the 3rd time the two teams had met this season, with the Heat taking the first 2 games in Abbotsford (which were played during the Admirals 6-game roadtrip). The Heat brought the season standings against the Admirals to 3-0, winning Wednesday night 2-0. The Heat's Kris Chucko and Carsen Germyn both found of the back of the net, while goaltender Leland Irving shined in net, blocking all 26 shots he saw. It is the second shut out of the 21 year-old Swan Hills, AB natives pro career.

Milwaukee hoped to redeemed themselves Friday night, as the Rockford IceHogs made their first trip to the Bradley Center this season. It was the second time the teams have met this season, with Rockford beating the Admirals 6-1 last Friday at the Rockford MetroCentre. Rockford struck first with an even strength goal at 13:36 of the first period. IceHogs netminder Corey Crawford earned himself an assist on the tally.

Admirals goalie Mark Dekanich (Photo by Scott Paulus)

The Ads would eventually tie things up with a second period power-play goal from forward Mark Santorelli, marking his second goal of the 2009-2010 campaign. Santorelli shot the puck on Corey Crawford in hopes of finding a teammate to tip it in, but ended up getting marking the tally himself.

Forward Andreas Thuresson would give the Admirals the 2-1 lead with just under 5 minutes to go in the period. Hogs goalie Corey Crawford went behind the net to play the puck, and made it back between the pipes just in time to watch Thuresson sail the puck past him. With the addition of a strong power-play late in the second period, the Admirals went to the locker room with 26 shots on goal and a one goal lead.

IceHogs goalie Corey Crawford (Photo by Scott Paulus)

With 3:13 to go in the final frame, tempers flared and Rockford's Bryan Bickell and Milwaukee's Triston Grant got tangled up in front of the the Admirals bench. Fighting ensued, sending a total of 4 players to the box and putting the Admirals on the power-play. After the power-play ran out, IceHogs head coach Bill Peters pulled goalie Corey Crawford for the extra attacker, but it wasn't enough to send the game into overtime. Crawford ended the night with 33 saves on 35 shots, while Milwaukee's Mark Dekanich made 29 saves on 30 shots.

For complete game state courtesy of the AHL, click here.

The Admirals head south for a Saturday night rematch against Rockford. The team returns to the Bradley Center Wednesday night to face the Chicago Wolves and to welcome NHL vet and 3-time Stanley Cup winner Chris Chelios to the Bradley Center.