Texas defenseman Brad Lukowich scored with 20.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and Travis Morin deflected a shot past Jeremy Smith at 8:44 of overtime to give Texas a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Admirals in game three.

 

Milwaukee led 2-0 just 34 seconds into the third period. The goals came from Chris Mueller and Gabriel Bourque, of course.

 

Of the eight goals Milwaukee has scored in the series, six have been from Bourque or Mueller. Ryan Thang, the right wing with Mueller and Bourque, and Teemu Laakso have the other tallies.

 

It’s time for one of the other lines to get some goals and some chances.

 

I’m not here to call players out. They’re trying. It just isn’t happening. Yet. The difference in this series has been the lack of secondary scoring for the Admirals. Moreover, the lack of secondary CHANCES.

 

Milwaukee needs to be better along the walls. In game one, the Admirals had a lot of speed. Texas shuts down the middle very well and has started to defend the walls. So, Milwaukee wants to rim the puck hard around the Texas goal. A shot from the right wing boards around the Texas net will get to the left wing if he speeds into the zone. That’s how Chris Mueller scored Milwaukee’s first goal last night. It’s a strategy that will work if the Admirals can stay smart against the Texas pressure.

 

Defenseman Grant Lewis also adds the team needs to establish itself defensively in front of Jeremy Smith. If Lewis and the other defenseman can get a spot in front of the goal, big-bodied players like Francis Wathier and Raymond Sawada won’t be able to screen the goalie as easily.

 

In the last two games, Texas has elevated its play as the game has worn on. Milwaukee needs to do the same tonight. The starts have been very good. The finish needs to be more assertive.