Admirals fall to Rivermen, 4-2

MILWAUKEE -- Sunday afternoon at the Bradley Center, the Milwaukee Admirals took on the Peoria Rivermen for the second time in ten days and in both games the Ads held 1-0 and 2-1 leads, however in both games the Admirals surrendered the lead and lost by a score of 4-2. Chris Mueller tallied two points (1g-1a) to lead the Ads, who have now lost five straight home games.

The Admirals had plenty of scoring chances early in the game against the Rivermen as they had 11 shots on goal before Peoria registered their first.

Milwaukee kept the pressure on as they continued to keep the puck in the Rivermen’s end and with under a thirty seconds remaining in the first period the Ads broke the scoreless tie. Blake Geoffrion dumped the puck into Peoria’s corner as Taylor Beck hustled to gain possession and found Chris Mueller in the slot who beat Bishop to put the Ads up 1-0.

Milwaukee outshot the Rivermen 14-1 in the first.

The second period did not start out the Ads way as Peoria wasted no time tying the game at one. Less than a minute into the second period, Peoria capitalized in transition and Adam Cracknell beat Atte Engren glove side.

The Ads bounced back, however, as Brodie Dupont found Mueller in the slot. Mueller fought of the check a Rivermen defender and found Zack Stortini in front of the net. With Peoria goalie Ben Bishop pulled out of position, Stortini put the puck in the back of the net giving the Ads a 2-1 lead at 10:37 of the second.

The lead did not last long for Milwaukee as Peoria answered back at the 13:25 mark of the second period. Brett Sterling tied the game at 2-2 with his 19th goal of the season.

Just over three minutes, Sterling scored the eventual game-winner when he came up with a loose puck in front of the Milwaukee net and put the Rivermen on top 3-2 with 3:18 to play in the second.

The Admirals had plenty of scoring chances in the third period, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Brodie Dupont looked like he had Bishop beat but the puck clanged off the post.

Milwaukee looked to tie the game at three late in the third period; however referee Joe Sullivan waved the goal of because Ryan Thang illegally deflected the puck in with his hand.

The Rivermen added an empty net goal and defeated the Admirals 4-2.

The Admirals return to action on Tuesday, February 14th when they host the Houston Aeros at 7:00 pm at the Bradley Center.