AHL Milwaukee Admirals

Admirals Fall 3-2 to Chicago

Published on April 24, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Milwaukee Admirals News Release


Milwaukee, WI-The Calder Cup playoffs returned to the Bradley Center on Tuesday night as the Milwaukee Admirals hosted game three of their series against the Chicago Wolves. With the return of defenseman Alex Henry and forward Ramzi Abid, the Admirals looked to get back in the series with their first win. But like their previous two meetings, the Wolves got ahead early and the Admirals' late comeback came up short as they fell to the Wolves 3-2 in a contest they needed to win.

"It's been the story of the series," said a disappointed Claude Noel after the game. "I'm tied of going over some of the same stuff. There has to be accountability in the room. There comes a point when the players have got to play."

Noel's team has put together some great periods against the Wolves, but all of them have come in the third period where they've outscored the Wolves 5-2 in the series. But it's been their play in the first two periods, where they've been outscored 8-0, that has been hurting the Ads the most.

"We've prided ourselves all year on team play and discipline," explained Noel of the losses. "This is like an unraveling of the group. It's difficult to watch."

Chicago got their first goal 10:34 into the second period when Jordan LaVallee took the puck down the slot, faked to Pekka Rinne's stick side, and placed the puck into the open net before Rinne could recover to his glove side.

Four minutes later, the Wolves were on the board again when defensemen Sheldon Brookbank and Ville Koistinen got caught in each other's paths, creating a breakaway for Darren Haydar.

"It's just a different ballgame," said team captain Brookbank. "Regular season doesn't mean anything."

In the regular season it was the Admirals on top, as this season's campaign left them with a 6-2-1-1 record against the Wolves.

"Obviously we're not real happy with where we are right now," he added. "We're not just going to roll over and die here. I'll tell you that right now."

The Admirals didn't roll over and die in this game either.

Pat Leahy's goal a minute and a half into the final frame brought the Admirals within one and it looked as if the momentum had swung in their favor.

But the Admirals took four consecutive penalties in the time that remained after Leahy's goal, and the Wolves were able to put the game just out of reach with a goal on one of their chances.

Brett Sterling's insurance marker turned game winning goal came with a minute and half to play, but even then the team didn't quit.

The Wolves took a pair of penalties on their own and Noel pulled his goalie to take advantage of the situation.

Thanks to a lucky bounce off the skate of referee Steve Kozari, the puck found its way to the side of the crease where Chris Durno was able to put it in the back of the net with twenty-two seconds remaining.

The final seconds rolled off the clock with the Ads' rally yet to be completed and the team will now look to another day and another game to get themselves back in the series.

"We've got to find a quick turn around answer here," said Noel of the must-win game four. "You've got to just focus on the one game. You can say all the clichés, but bottom line is you got to win the game."

The Admirals have less then twenty-four hours before they see the Wolves again in a game that could be the beginning of the off season.

"Nothing will change for me," said Noel of his coaching style going into game four. "You never give up trying. We've got to win the next game. We don't have choices now. We've got to find a way to get it done."

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American Hockey League Stories from April 24, 2007


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