Milwaukee, WI–The Milwaukee Admirals exploded for four goals in the third period to turn a 1-1 game into a 5-1 victory over the Peoria Rivermen on Friday night at the Bradley Center on U.S. Cellular Teddy Bear Toss Night. The Admirals have now scored 13 goals in their past two games, which is more than they tallied in their previous five contests.
Rookie forward Michael Latta led the way for the Admirals with two goals and an assist on the night, while fellow first-year players Taylor Beck (1g-1a) and Ryan Ellis (2a) each tallied multi-point efforts as well. Jeremy Smith stopped 24 of 25 shots to pick up his 11th win of the year.
After a scoreless first period, Juuso Puustinen almost made the bears rain when he was hooked from behind on a breakaway and awarded a penalty shot at 11:42 of the second. However, his attempt was no-good as he pushed a forehand just wide of Peoria goalie Ben Bishop and the net.
Peoria’s Derrick Nesbit gave the Rivermen a 1-0 lead at 15:57 of the second on a power-play tally, but their lead wouldn’t last long.
With time running out on the teddy bear toss, Michael Latta beat Bishop with a wrister to tie the score and also unleash an avalanche of teddy bears. The goal was assisted by Beck and Ellis, while the teddy bears were collected and then donated to UMOS.
Defenseman Victory Bartley scored what would eventually be the game winner at 3:18 of the third period. Bartley carried the puck through the neutral zone and then ripped a slapper from just inside the blueline that beat a screened Bishop low to the stick side.
The Admirals picked up some insurance on a beautiful backhand goal by Beck at 5:42 of the third. With Beck stationed in front of the net, Latta sent a pass to him from the right point. Beck caught it on his forehand and then chipped a backhand that rose quickly to beat Bishop over his right shoulder.
Milwaukee would tack on two more as Joel Champagne notched his first goal as an Admiral at 12:46 of the third and then Latta ended the scoring with his second of the night with 3:15 to play in the game.
The Admirals and Rivermen finish up their home-and-home series on Saurday night in Peoria at 7:00 pm.
The Ads next home game is next Friday, December 9th at 7:00 pm against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Fans can purchase tickets for Friday’s game, or any Admirals game, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or logging on to milwaukeeadmirals.com. Groups of ten or more people receive at least $2 off the face value of each ticket. For more information or to purchase group tickets fans can call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550or visit milwaukeeadmirals.com.