The Milwaukee Admirals are working up something special. In the midst of February, where the Admirals had only won a single game, most people wouldn’t have thought that they’d be coming close to clinching a playoff berth. They are currently riding an eight game winning streak with three games remaining in the season. The team currently sits in third place after beating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 on Friday and the Iowa Wild 5-1 on Saturday.

Friday April 5th vs. Chicago Wolves (Home)

The Admirals managed to pull out a win on Friday despite being out-shot by the Wolves 35-20.

Tomas Hyka scored led off scoring for Chicago at 8:22 in the first period, but was quickly answered back at the 10 minute mark by Colin Blackwell on his 14th goal of the season.

Joe Pendenza had the lone goal in the second period to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead. Pendenza’s goal came while the Admirals were shorthanded.

28 seconds into the third period Chicago’s Cody Class scored his first professional goal, beating Milwaukee netminder Troy Grosenick. Alexandre Carrier (5) answered back at 2:17 with Zac Rinaldo getting the primary assist.

Within around two minutes remaining in the third, Chicago pulled Max Lagace in favor of an extra attacker. Phil Di Giuseppe was able to muscle passed the defender and score an empty net goal at 18:57.

Chicago pulled Lagace one more time and Cody Glass was able to score his second professional goal (and second of the game) at 19:40. The Wolves fell 4-3.

Saturday April 6 vs. Iowa Wild (Home)

The Admirals controlled this one from start to finish. Milwaukee’s passing was the most crisp it’s been all season. Plays were strong and Grosenick continued to be outstanding for the Admirals.

Cole Schneider had another great game and the first period was all him. At 9:45 he scored on a powerplay after a Mitch McClain interference call. Schneider was able to push the puck in off of a rebound from a Alexandre Carrier slapshot.

At 18:32, Schneider and Gaudet formed a 2-on-1 breakaway while the Admirals were short handed. Gaudet passed the puck over to a sliding Schneider (he had been tripped) who managed to beat Kaapa Kahkonen to score his second of the game and his 21st goal of the season.

A few minutes before the second Schneider goal, Matt Donovan hooked Gerald Mayhew who was on a breakaway. This allowed Mayhew to take a penalty shot. He deked a bit too much and lost control of the puck which bounced into Grosenick. He attempted a second shot which went in, but you’re only allowed one shot so the latter didn’t count.

In the second period, Phil Di Giuseppe scored his 5th goal of the season on a beautiful wrap around shot.

Iowa’s Matt Read scored their lone goal at 6:51 in the third period while short handed. This was the second shorthanded goal of the matchup.

Less than a minute later, the Admirals were still on the powerplay. Anthony Richard received a pass from Yakov Trenin while he was on a breakaway. He sniped a shot passed Kahkonen to score his 23rd of the season.

Joe Pendenza had the final goal of the game after he muscled through his defender and backhanded a shot that went right over Kahkonen to seal the 5-1 victory for Milwaukee.

Game Notes:

Like I mentioned earlier, this team looks great and didn’t show any signs of slowing down. I expected that Milwaukee’s biggest challenge through this final stretch would be the first place Chicago Wolves. They battled hard and earned the win.

Iowa was on a seven-game losing streak going into Saturday’s game, so it was half expected that Milwaukee would win that matchup.

Zac Rinaldo posted 1 assist over the weekend and 3 shots on goal. He also had 4 penalty minutes. His +/- over the weekend was 0. His presence on the ice was much less noticeable than Austin Watson or Miikka Salomaki.

Milwaukee now has sole possession of third place in the Central division with 83. With three games remaining, their magic number is 5. Manitoba has a game in hand with 81-points, Iowa is tied with Manitoba for fourth.

The Admirals could clinch a playoff spot next Saturday. They will play Rockford on Tuesday and Grand Rapids on Saturday. They’ll then face Rockford one last time on Sunday April 14th.