Admirals defeat Rampage 3-1

MILWAUKEE -- In a hard hitting contest the Milwaukee Admirals defeated the San Antonio Rampage, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon from the Bradley Center. Jeremy Smith record 29 saves for his fourth straight victory and helped the Admirals earn five of six points on the weekend.

In a scoreless first period the Ads had the majority of the scoring chances. With 5:15 to go in the first, Jon Blum sent a pass to Kyle Wilson, who was behind the Rampage defense,  Wilson went on the breakaway and sent a shot on Rampage goalie Dov Grumet-Morris, beating him glove side but hit the post to keep the game scoreless.

Milwaukee broke the scoreless tie at the 2:08 mark of the second period. Scott Valentine fired a shot from the blue line on Grumet-Morris, who made the save. The puck bounced to the near faceoff circle, where Kyle Wilson corralled the rebound and sent a shot that beat Grumet-Morris putting the Ads up 1-0.

The Rampage struck back with 2:28 left in the second, as San Antonio had a two-man advantage. Bill Thomas found Jon Matsumoto in the slot, where he beat Jeremy Smith tying the game at one.

The Ads capitalized on a Rampage turnover at the 8:23 mark of the third period. Kyle Wilson faked a shot and passed to Ryan Flynn slammed it five-hole past Grumet-Morris putting Milwaukee ahead 2-1. Flynn’s goal ended up being the game-winning goal.

Milwaukee added an empty net goal to extend their lead to 3-1 with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Jon Blum cleared the puck from the Ads zone that bounced off the boards and stopped in the crease, where Chris Mueller beat everyone to the puck and tapped it in.

Wilson (1g-1a) and Blum (2a) paced the Ads offense with two points apiece.

The Admirals return to action on Wednesday, February 29th when they host the Peoria Rivermen at 7:00 pm at the Bradley Center.