Grand Rapids, MI–Daniel Carr scored twice and Zach L’Heureux scored the overtime winner as the dmirals defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 Wednesday at Van Andel Arena.
The Admirals ended the Griffins 15-game winning streak. In Feb. 2024, Grand Rapids had ended the Admirals franchise-record 19-game winning streak.
The win moved Milwaukee into 4th place in the Central Division, five points behind second-place Chicago.
The Griffins entered the Admirals zone in overtime but the puck was misplayed just across the blue line. Ryan Ufko pushed the puck up the middle of the ice to a breaking L’Heureux. L’Heureux moved methodically toward the Griffins net before snapping a low shot through the legs of goalie Sebastian Cossa at :58.
The Admirals never trailed in the game and won their second straight after losing nine consecutive games, which is the franchise record since joining the American Hockey League in 2001.
The Admirals power play accounted for the first goal at 7:30 of the first frame. Oasiz Wiesblatt won a face-off to the blue line where Ryan Ufko slid a pass to Daniel Carr at the left circle. With a good luck at the net, Carr ripped a wrist shot past Griffins goalie Sebastian Cossa for his 12th goal of the season. It was Carr’s eighth power play goal of the year.
Grand Rapids tied the score 1-1 when defenseman William Wallinder’s shot from the left face-off dot beat Admirals goalie Matt Murray at 11:05 of the first period.
The Admirals reclaimed the lead in the third period. Defenseman Ufko skated away from Eduards Tralmaks at the Griffins blue line. Ufko got to the slot but the puck was tipped to Cole O’Hara in the right circle. With Carr camped in front of the goalie, O’Hara’s pass was tipped off Carr for the goal at 6:42 of the third period.
Former Admirals forward John Leonard tied the score at 2-2 with a shorthanded goal at 13:16 of the third period, setting up the overtime.
Murray stopped 28 shots to earn the win for Milwaukee.
Milwaukee continues a three-game road trip Saturday at Texas. The Admirals return to Historic UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena to host the Manitoba Moose Thurs., Jan. 8.
