Aeros unfocused in loss to Milwaukee, 5-3

HOUSTON, Texas – The home ice advantage earned with a win in Milwaukee Sunday proved to be a disadvantage to the Houston Aeros in a 5-3 loss to the Admirals Tuesday night. In a chaotic, emotional roller coaster of a game, the Admirals took advantage of an unfocused home team to go up 2-1 in the series. The Aeros dominated the first period, getting several quality chances on the Milwaukee net but only able to convert once, as Milwaukee struggled to get a handle on the puck the entire period. Aeros’ defenseman Jared Spurgeon opened the scoring midway through the first period on a back door power play goal set up by Robbie Earl and Cody Almond. Milwaukee answered near the end of the period, with Mark Van Guilder scoring just one second after a penalty on the Aeros ended. The second frame was another story entirely, with Milwaukee looking every bit the division champion and keeping the Aeros on their heels for the remaining 40 minutes. Aeros coach Mike Yeo said the team simply didn’t come ready to play. “I think the guys were feeling pretty proud of themselves, getting the split up in Milwaukee, and now all of a sudden we’re coming home and ‘hey, we’re a really good team, we’ve had a lot of success in the playoffs,’” said Yeo. “Somewhere along the way, we forgot that we’re playing a first place team, a quality opponent who’s had a lot of success on the road.” While giving credit to Milwaukee for getting capitalizing on the Aeros follies, Yeo felt his team essentially gave the game to the Admirals, whose bread and butter is feasting on opponents mistakes. “We had guys that turned pucks over tonight like crazy, and that played right into their game,” said Yeo. “Every chance they got, for the most part, was coming off turnovers.” Milwaukee’s go-ahead goal in the first came at 8:55 as Ryan Thang picked up a rebound off a shot by Scott Ford. Then they went up 3-1 after the Aeros let off the gas at the end of a penalty kill, and Andreas Thuresson punched a pass from Steve Begin behind the net past a stunned Matt Hackett. The third period kept the roller coaster going, as Aeros defenseman Marco Scandella brought the home team within one at 8:16 in the third with a pretty shot just under the crossbar. The answer came quickly, however, as Milwaukee took advantage of more sloppy play by the home team and Begin netted his second goal of the series. It looked as though the Aeros might pull close again, as Jared Palmer corralled a turnover just seconds later and raced in on a breakaway, roofing the puck top shelf over goalie Jeremy Smith. To add to the intrigue, the officials failed to see the goal and play continued until a stoppage. After a conference with the goal judge, along with a hail of boos from fans watching multiple slow-motion replays, they awarded the goal to put the Aeros within one again. But as they had done all night, Milwaukee took advantage of an Aeros team riding on the emotion of a big goal, and Mike Bartlett scored an easy goal just 27 seconds later to seal the deal. “We were all pretty jacked up on the bench when Palms scored there,” said Aeros left wing Colton Gillies. “Once that happens, it’s tough… it’s an emotional roller coaster. And as much as you want to try and stay away from that stuff, it’s pretty hard. It’s a game of emotion.” Both teams will practice at the Toyota Center Wednesday morning and will pick up with game four Thursday night. Contact Heather.Galindo@prohockeynews.com