Milwaukee, WI- The Admirals earned a point in a 4-3 shoot-out loss to the division leading Texas Stars in front of over 9,000 kids in the team’s second School Day game of the season on Wednesday afternoon.
The Stars scored once in the best-of-three shootout as Cameron Hughes was the lone player to connect on his attempt.
The Stars got off to a quick start when Antonio Stranges found Chase Wheatcroft in front of the Admirals goal and was able to score only 1:41 into the first period. This was Wheatcroft’s 8th goal of the season for the Stars.
About a minute later the Admirals had a response with a goal of their own. Anders Bjork was able to find center Ondrej Pavel in on goal where he beat Stars goaltender Poirier with a backhander to tie it up 1-1. This was Pavel’s 5th goal on the season and concluded the scoring for the first period.
After a quiet first fifteen minutes to start the second period the Stars were first to break the deadlock. Matej Blumel scored a shorthanded tally, his 27th goal of the season for the Stars, as they grabbed a 2-1 lead. With 2:10 left in the second period the Stars struck again. Defenseman Kyle Capobianco broke the Admirals defense down and found center Justin Hryckowian for a easy tap-in to beat goaltender Matt Murray. This closed out the second period giving the Stars a 3-1 lead.
With 8:49 left in the third period the Admirals gained some momentum when Ozzy Wiesblatt’s pass put winger Ryder Rolston behind the Texas defnese. Rolston was able to put a shot on goal that was saved by Poirier, but Rolston followed his own shot and beat Poirier on the rebound. This was Rolston’s 10th goal of the season.
Milwaukee was able to force overtime with 1:20 left in the third after a slapshot from Joakim Kemell hit the post, Cal O’Reilly was there to clean up and tie the game up three with his eighth of the season.
There was no scoring in OT, setting the stage for the Stars to grab the extra point in the shoot-out.
Matt Murray was solid in net and ended the day with 33 saves.
The Admirals return to action Fri., March 7th when the team hosts the Chicago Wolves at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
