MILWAUKEE, Wis – The Houston Aeros’ top two lines are enough to keep any goalie awake at night, but it was the checking line that doomed the Milwaukee Admirals Sunday afternoon. Checking line fixtures Jed Ortmeyer, Colton Gillies and Warren Peters racked up 2 goals and 1 assist in the 2-0 win for the visiting Aeros. And the line is carrying the team in playoff scoring with 7 goals and 13 points combined in 6 games. A tentatively-paced first period resulted in no scoring, but Aeros’ goalie Matt Hackett sparkled, stopping 10 shots and keeping the Aeros in the game. The second period started similarly, but midway through the frame, Michael Latta and Grant Lewis took penalties within seconds of each other to give the Aeros a two-man advantage. Peters converted on the power play for his second goal of the playoffs, with helpers from Casey Wellman and Robbie Earl. The goal sparked the Aeros to 11 shots in the second period and 8 in the third, when Gillies scored his fourth goal of the playoffs at 3:56, beating goalie Jeremy Smith on an 3-on-2 rush. Ortmeyer and Marco Scandella had the assists on the insurance goal. One mindset emphasized by the Aeros coaching staff late in the season was not letting up with the lead, and indeed, the Aeros allowed only three shots in the third period, ultimately blanking the Admirals and earning Hackett his first professional playoff shutout. Hackett has a 5-1 record thus far in the playoffs, and leads the league in goals against average. The win ties the series at one apiece and cost Milwaukee home ice advantage as the next three games move to Houston, starting Tuesday. Contact Heather.Galindo@prohockeynews.com
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