WINNIPEG, MB – The Milwaukee Admirals paid their first visit to the MTS Centre this season to take on the Manitoba Moose, fresh off a rather disappointing road trip. The Admirals, sporting a 15-7-1-0 record, good for 3rd place in the Central Division set a torrid pace with n 11-1 record through the month of November and hoped to avenge two home ice losses to the Moose earlier this season.
With the excitement of the night’s pending Teddy Bear Toss dancing in their heads, the Moose set a quick pace early putting relentless pressure on Admirals starting goaltender Marek Mezanec through the first 4 minutes of the game. The Admirals 
eventually got their legs and the play evened out with chances going each way. Milwaukee drew first blood with a quick snap shot by Joe Pendenza beating Eric Comrie high on the short side.
The Moose continued to pressure and evened things up with a big point blast by Julien Mlchiori squeaking through Mezanec’s pads at 17:52. Melchiori’s first goal of the season was unassisted and the first period ended with the teams even on the scoreboard and in shots with eight apiece.
The second frame continued with back and forth chances with both goaltenders making impressive stops to keep things even. Moose forward Matt Fraser eventually gobbled up a rebound in front of the crease and put it away for his first of the season, joining Melchiori in getting off the shnide. Stoykewych and Petan picked up assists on Fraser’s marker.
The good fortune for the Moose continued a couple minutes later with a centering pass from Chase De Leo deflecting up and over Mezanec to put the Moose up 3-1, Kosmachuk and Kostalec assisting. Shots after 2 periods favored the Admiral 18-17.
Eric Comrie continued to show why he is such a highly regarded prospect with solid if not spectacular play in the third period. The Admirals were frustrated rush after rush with no results. You can see this Moose team is poised for good things as the defense are playing much better than at the start of the season. With Mezanec on the bench for the extra skater, the Admirals pressed and finally solved the Comrie puzzle with 12 seconds left after Max Reinhart jammed a rebound past Comrie.
It was a case of too little too late with the Moose prevailing 3-2. Shots ended 32-23 in favor of the Admirals.
The Three Stars were 1) Eric Comrie 2) Matt Fraser 3) Julian Melchori, a Moose sweep.  Honourable mentions will go to Milwaukee’s Kevin Fiala who was always dangerous with the puck and Moose d-man Peter Stoykewych who continues to impress with his cool, calm demeanor on the ice and was rewarded with his first point of the season on Matt Fraser’s 2nd period marker.
NOTES: The big winner was the Christmas Cheer Board who received 2330 stuffed toys for distribution to deserving kids in the Moose Teddy Bear Toss – well done Moose fans!!
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