MILWAUKEE, Wisc – The Admirals gained a point but fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Texas Stars on Friday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
That lone point was an important one however, as the Ads are now tied with division rivals Chicago wih 79 points, good for 7th place in the Western Conference standings.
Texas got the scoring started at 10:42 of the first period when a speedy Justin Dowling fired one from the top of the circles off the blocker of Marek Mazanec. The puck found the stick of Justin Dowling who backhanded one past a flailing Mazanec to give Texas a 1-0 lead.
Soon thereafter, Milwaukee forward Kevin Fiala gave a great individual effort to tie it up. Fiala’s pestering forced a Texas turnover in the Admirals offensive zone. Fiala gained control of the puck and danced around Maxime Fortunus before firing a hard wrister over the shoulder of Jack Campbell for the unassisted equalizer at 15:14 of the first.
Milwaukee took the lead at 5:13 of the second period with a powerplay goal from Austin Watson. Anthony Bitteto set it up with a hard, low slapper that found the tape of Watson for a deflection past Cambell for the slim 2-1 lead.
Milwaukee saw their lead fade at 15:07 of the second when Greg Rallo skated in towards the net and attracted all the attention of the Admirals defenders. Rollo was able to find an all alone Travis Morin at the far post for an easy goal.
After an action packed and physical third period and overtime, filled with big save after big save from Marek Mazanec, it took a shootout to decide this one.
At the tail end of an exciting five rounds of shootouts, featuring goals from Geadreau, Fiala, and Steffes, it was Stars forward Justin Dowling who beat Mazanec for the game winner.
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