photo by Zack Smith
The Rivermen drew first blood during a power play at 9:06 of the first period. With Jonathan Cheechoo and Brett Sterling camped out on opposite sides of the net, Danny Syvret fired a waist-high shot from above the circle. Sterling tipped it in to light the lamp and Syvret and TJ Hensick were credited with assists.
At 15:45 of the period, Michael Latta was awarded a penalty shot. He drove in on Rivermen goalie Jake Allen and shot five-hole. Allen tried to squeeze the puck but, in the end, the puck lodged against the left post, just inside the goal line to tie the game.
Milwaukee took a 2-1 lead three minutes later when two Rivermen got tangles up and Victor Bartley came in on Allen’s left and rang the post. Ryan Thang gathered the rebound on the other side and buried it. Chris Mueller was given an assist on the play, as well.
The second period went by without any scoring but in the third it was all Milwaukee. Jani Lujen made a beautiful move to beat Mark Cundari and drive into the Rivermen zone.
Instead of shooting, he pulled up short and passed back to Juuso Puustinen who buried it for the 3-1 lead at 7:24 of the third. The air went out of the Rivermen after that.
photo by Zack Smith
Ryan Thang added an empty net goal with a minute and a half left to put the final score at 4-1.
Milwaukee led shots on goal 30-23. The Rivermen penalty kill unit was perfect in four chances while the Rivermen scored once in their three opportunities with a man-advantage. The Rivermen come back and play again Sunday afternoon at 5pm against the Rockford Ice Hogs.
Contact the author: Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com
