Aberg gets hat trick in Admirals win

San Antonio, TX -- Pontus Aberg recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Admirals to a 6-3 win over the San Antonio Rampage Saturday night.

The Admirals set a season-high with four goals in the first period, eclipsing the previous high of three goals in a period which was accomplished twice before this season (Nov. 18 vs. Chicago and Dec. 21 at Rockford).

Milwaukee goalie Juuse Saros stopped 22 shots to improve his record to 15-5-0.

Admirals forward Matt White started the first period barrage with his fifth goal of the season at 1:51 of the first period. White drove the slot and converted a pass from the right wing boards from Max Gortz for the tally. The point was the 150th of White’s pro career (11 AHL points, 139 ECHL points).

Milwaukee grabbed a 2-0 lead with a Pontus Aberg power play goal at 8:25 of the first period. Max Reinhart sent the puck from the right wing wall to the newest Admirals defenseman, Stefan Elliott, at the point. Elliott slid a pass to the left circle for Aberg’s one-timer, his third power play goal of the season and 10th overall.

Admirals center Vladislav Kamenev scored his eighth goal of the season at 12:41 of the first period to extend the lead to 3-0. Frederick Gaudreau and Jimmy Oligny recorded the assists. The goal ended the night for San Antonio goalie Spencer Martin, who was relieved by Roman Will.

Aberg scored his second goal of the game and 11th of the season at 17:24 of the first period with a shot from the slot. Reinhart dished the puck from the bottom of the right circle from his knees to Aberg for the goal.

Milwaukee’s fifth goal was scored on the power play at 5:16 of the second period. Cody Hodgson fired a slapshot from the right circle that deflected off the stick of Colton Sissons for his sixth goal of the season, fourth on the power play. Hodgson and Kamenev recorded the assists.

San Antonio scored a power play goal to get on the board at 15:35 of the second period. Maxim Noreau was able to tuck the puck under the left leg of Saros for his sixth goal of the season.

Aberg converted the hat trick with a wrist shot from the right circle that cleared the shoulder of the San Antonio goalie at 6:22 of the third period. Max Gortz and Oligny notched the helpers. The goal was Aberg’s 12th of the season.

Rampage forward Michael Schumacher scored his sixth goal of the season at 9:25 of the third period to bring the score to 6-2. San Antonio’s Colin Smith added a goal at 16:38 of the third period to close the scoring.

The Admirals are off until Fri., Jan. 22 when the team travels to Cleveland to face the Lake Erie Monsters.

Milwaukee’s next home game is Sat., Jan. 30 against the Grand Rapids Griffins at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.