Admirals edged by Rivermen, 5-4

PEORIA, Ill.-- In their first foray into a shootout in the 2012-2013 season, the Milwaukee Admirals lost to the Peoria Rivermen, 5-4, Friday in Peoria.

Milwaukee’s four shooters failed to score in the shootout. T.J. Hensick and Jaden Schwartz scored for Peoria.

The Ads did gain a point, but are now alone in fifth place in the Midwest Division with 14 points. Milwaukee

Peoria took a 1-0 lead at 14:55 of the first period when Schwartz was able to get by Ads defenseman Scott Valentine and lift a shot over the glove of goalie Jeremy Smith.

The Rivermen extended the lead to two just 26 seconds later. A clearing attempt was held above the right circle by Peoria forward Sebastian Wannstrom. His shot to the net was deflected in the air and lofted just over Smith off the crossbar. Sergey Andronov tapped the puck into the net for the goal.

The Admirals got on the board at 6:25 of the second period when Michael Latta scored his second goal of the season. Latta skated into the slot from the left wing boards and sent a shot along the ice inside the right post. Mark Van Guilder and Josh Shalla recorded the assists. The assist marked Shalla’s first AHL point.

The Admirals tied the game at 4:21 of the third period when Joonas Jarvinen scored his first AHL goal (and point). Jarvinen’s shot from the left faceoff dot was blocked. He followed his shot, though, and wrapped it around the net inside the right post for the tally. Assists went to Ryan Ellis and Cam Reid. It was Reid’s first AHL point.

Evgeny Grachev gave the Rivermen a 3-2 lead at 6:57 of the third period when he slapped a loose puck into the net after a scramble in front of the Ads goalie.

Milwaukee tied the game when Mark Van Guilder slapped a shot into the net after a scramble at the other end of the ice. Van Guilder’s fourth of the season was assisted by Michael Latta and Shalla at 12:28 of the third period.

The Admirals took the lead for the first time at 12:58 of the third period on Austin Watson’s fifth goal of the season. Daniel Bang and Ben Ryan recorded the helpers.

The Admirals play the sixth game of a season long seven-game road trip Saturday night in Chicago. The Ads aren’t home again until they host Chicago on Friday, November 30.