Admirals fall 2-1 to Griffins in shoot-out

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Admirals goalie Magnus Hellberg was magnificent in goal, stopping 33 of 34 shots, but Grand Rapids tied the game with just 50 seconds left in regulation and eventually won it in a shoot-out, taking a 2-1 decision on Sunday afternoon, December 7th at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Grand Rapids fired 14 shots in the final period, to the Ads three, and they were finally able to solve Hellberg when Teemu Pulkkinen poked a loose puck through Hellberg’s legs with a sixth attacker on the ice and just 50 seconds remaining in the game.

After a scoreless overtime, the Griffins Andy Miele and Mitch Callahan each scored in the shoot-out, while Patrick Cehlin was the only Admiral to convert.

After a slow start to the game, the two teams had just one total shot half-way through the first, the action picked up at the end of the first.

Pontus Aberg's team-leading ninth goal of the season at the 12:36 gave the Ads a 1-0 lead. Effective neutral zone pressure by the Ads, caused a Grand Rapids turnover, which Aberg picked up and carried into the Griffins zone 3-on-2 with Mark Van Guilder and Miikka Salomaki.. Aberg held the puck until the last second before lifting it over the right shoulder of Jared Coreau for the goal.

Despite power play chances for both teams in the neither, neither squad was able to find the back of the net through the second and third period, until Pulkkinen tied it late in the third.

The loss was the fifth in a row for the Admirals, who continue their homestand on Wednesday night when they host Rockford at 7 pm.

Fans can purchase tickets by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com. Groups of 10 or more receive significant discounts off the original ticket price. For more information, or to purchase group tickets, fans can call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550.