MILWAUKEE – Marek Mazanec stopped all 30 shots he faced as the Grand Rapids Griffins fell to the Milwaukee Admirals 3-0 on Tuesday at BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Tuesday’s game was the first time Milwaukee (22-9-1-0) had beaten Grand Rapids in three meetings this season, with the Griffins outscoring the Central Division-leading Admirals 11-4 in that span. The result also extended the Admirals’ winning streak to five consecutive games.
Chances were few and far between in the opening period, with the Griffins (17-10-0-1) outshooting Milwaukee 11-8. The best chance from either side came with 5:03 remaining when Pontus Aberg’s centering pass from behind the net found Frederick Gaudreau in front of goal, with Gaudreau’s shot forcing a quick glove save from Jared Coreau.
Max Gortz opened the scoring on the power play for Milwaukee 1:43 into the second period. Fiala’s centering pass from below the right circle found Gortz just inside the left circle, sending a wrist shot over Coreau’s blocker-side shoulder.
Kevin Fiala added to the Admirals’ lead on the power play with 4:34 left in the middle frame. After a Gortz shot from the top of the left circle forced a stick save from Coreau, Gaudreau’s rebound ricocheted off Robbie Russo’s skate and in the direction of Fiala, who blasted a slapshot from the right circle over Coreau’s glove-side shoulder. Matt White capped the scoring for Milwaukee with an empty netter with 1:07 to go in regulation.
The Admirals finished 2-for-3 on the power play, while Grand Rapids was unable to score on four opportunities. Coreau stopped 22 of 24 shots in a losing effort.
The Griffins will look to extend their franchise-record 10-game home winning streak at Van Andel Arena on Thursday in a New Year’s Eve rematch against Milwaukee at 6 p.m.
Three Stars: 1. MIL Mazanec (W, 30 saves, SO); 2. MIL Gortz (goal, two assists); 3. MIL Fiala (goal, assist)
Notes: The last time the Griffins lost consecutive games in regulation was during a three-game stretch lasting from Oct. 23-Nov. 6, 2015
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