The Milwaukee Admirals dropped a 4-0 decision in a heated battle with division leader the Rockford Icehogs on Thursday night at the BMO Harris Bradley center.
Tonight’s game marks the Ads third loss in a row, their longest losing streak so far this season. This is also the first game that the Ads have been shutout this season.
Rockford took the lead half way through the first with a goal from Cody Bass. Magnus Hellberg made the initial stop, but the Icehogs continued to make stabs at the puck and it trickled under Hellberg’s pads.
Rockford scored once more early into the second at 2:42 to strengthen their lead 2-0. T.J. Brennan set up a centering attempt and Matt Carey picked up the puck and buried with Hellberg’s back turned.
Rockford scored another early goal at 1:08 of the third period. Bass skated the puck into the zone on a 2-on-1 breakaway. Hellberg blocked Bass’s shot, however, Drew LeBlanc tapped in the rebound. Brennan scored the fourth and final goal for the Icehogs with a shot over the right shoulder of Hellberg.
The Admirals were having an off game and tonight was a rare clunker for them this season.
“We’ve talked that there’s a difference between work and compete,” said Admirals Head Coach Dean Evason. “We’ve always said our group works. We get out competed sometimes, but we always work. Tonight, we didn’t do either.”
This game was Hellberg’s first regulation loss so far this season.
“It’s frustrating for sure,” said Hellberg. “It’s a division game and it’s two really big points that we need, especially against Rockford. Every game is a battle. We have to learn from this game and see what we can do better. Every game is so important. That’s one thing I realized the last two years here. When it comes down to the playoff stretch, every point counts. You can’t let your foot off the gas, you have to go hard every night.”
Tonight was the first of a five game home stand for the Admirals. The Ads will fight to break their losing streak this Saturday, December 6th at 7pm at the BMO Harris Bradley Center as they take on the Oklahoma City Barons.
