WINNIPEG – The Central Division leading Milwaukee Admirals proved to be just a little too much to handle for the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday. A strong second period helped propel the Admirals past the Moose 4-2 at MTS Centre as Manitoba opened their final homestand of the season. It was just the Moose second regulation loss to the Admirals in seven meetings this season.
“I thought we played a pretty strong game.” head coach Keith McCambridge said.
“I liked our energy, our push we had in the first period. In the second period there was a lull there with regards to being hemmed in our our own zone. Obviously the shot total is not where we wanted, but I really thought a real strong push back.”
Admirals left winger Kevin Fiala led the way for Milwaukee with a goal and two assists. Adam Payerl, Pontus Oberg and Max Gortz also scored goals for the Admirals.
Chase De Leo and Brandon Denham answered back for the Moose. It was Denham’s first career AHL goal.
“You always want to get the first one out of the way and I had a couple chances there early in the game, so it kinda would have haunted me if I didn’t get one. So it was nice to get one, just wish it would have been in a win.”
Connor Hellebuyck stopped 24 of 27 shots for Manitoba while Juuse Saros made 27 saves for the visitors.
Brendan Lemieux and Jansen Harkins both made their pro debuts after their junior teams were eliminated from the playoffs. Both saw some time on the powerplay. Lemieux had three shots and took a minor penalty for hooking. Harkins chipped in with one assist.
“It was fun.” Harkins said.
“It was fast paced and different tempo during these type of games. It was good to get used to it. I think I got more comfortable out there. I mean it’s a quick game. You got to be ready every shift. Just trying to enjoy it and make the most of the opportunity I have.”
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The two sides played a fairly uneventful opening period. There weren’t many scoring chances for either team in a scoreless first period which the Moose outshot the Admirals 11-7.
Just over three minutes into the second period, Hellebuyck made a big save on Jimmy Oligny, but Payerl was right there to shovel in the rebound. His 11th goal of the season was also assisted by Fiala. The Admirals took a one goal lead.
With a little over five minutes left in the middle frame the Moose came in on the odd man rush. John Albert flipped the backhand in front for a wide open De Leo but Saros robbed him to preserve the one goal lead.
With 4:04 to go in the period, Aberg, on the powerplay, blasted the one-timer in from the top of the circle. His 20th goal of the season was assisted by Patrick Mullen and Vladislav Kamenev, and the Admirals had a two goal lead at the second intermission. Milwaukee led in shots in the second 16-7.
The Moose clicked on the powerplay three minutes into the final frame. Harkins threw the puck on goal. Saros kicked the puck out right to Denham. He buried the rebound for his first career AHL goal. Andrew MacWilliam had the other assist and the Moose were within one.
But the Admirals capitalized on a man advantage of their own soon after. Gortz was left wide open at the side of the net and he fired it past a sprawling Hellebuyck. Gortz’s 17th goal of the season was assisted by Mullen and Fiala to extend the Admirals lead.
With just 1:47 left in regulation, Albert’s point shot was tipped in by De Leo for his fourth goal of the season. Dan DeSalvo also drew an assist as the Moose cut the lead to one.
But Fiala scored into the empty net with 59 seconds remaining to give Milwaukee a 4-2 victory.
The Moose were without leading scorer Brenden Kichton who is on recall with the Winnipeg Jets. Defenceman Jan Kostalek returned to the lineup after missing nine games with an upper body injury. It was his first game since March 11.
Injured players Josh Morrissey and Scott Kosmachuk were among those who sat out for Manitoba.
The Moose and Admirals renew acquaintances on Wednesday with the rematch.
WATCH: Keith McCambridge and Brandon Denham of the Moose react following the 4-2 loss to Milwaukee
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