Milwaukee Admirals lose Game 5 in OT, trail series 3-2

by Dirk Hoag on May 7, 2011 12:06 AM EDT in Milwaukee Admirals

From the Milwaukee Admirals:

Houston forward Robbie Earl jammed the puck into the net at 8:45 of overtime to give the Houston Aeros a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Admirals Friday in game five of the West Division Finals.

Earl was able to get to the net and slide the puck past goalie Jeremy Smith's left leg, spoiling a 50 save performance by the Milwaukee goalie. Houston outshot the Admirals 53-25.

The Aeros tied the game in the last 4:22 of regulation. Earl got Houston on the board with a shot from the right point while the Aeros were on a 5-on-3 power play at 15:38 of the third period. Then, with 1:21 to play, Jon DiSalvatore rushed on the left wing into the Admirals zone. He stopped on the halfwall and sent a pass to Chad Rau who was streaking to the net. Rau tipped the puck in to force overtime for the second straight game between the teams.

Milwaukee scored first thanks to a lucky bounce. Kelsey Wilson cleared the puck from the Admirals zone to center where it was corralled by Ryan Thang. Thang skated to the top of the right circle and put a shot on goal. Aeros netminder Matt Hackett made a blocker save and the puck popped straight into the air. Hackett was unable to locate the puck. It fell onto the goal line and Thang tapped it in at 11:28 of the second period for his fifth goal of the postseason. Wilson notched the helper.

Milwaukee made it 2-0 with just five seconds left in the second period. A Houston defenseman failed to hold the left point during an Aeros power play. Milwaukee forward Steve Begin tipped the puck to the right circle in the Aeros zone. Mike Bartlett scooped it up and drove to the net. He was unable to get the shot off but Begin followed to put a backhander into the net for his third goal of the postseason. Bartlett recorded the assist. The goal was Milwaukee's first shorthanded goal of the playoffs and was the first shorthanded goal allowed by the Aeros this postseason.

The teams will be back at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee for game six Sunday at 5pm. Sunday's game is a Private Bank Family Day, where fans get 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas for just $48! The Admirals will hold special office hours on Saturday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm for fans to stop by and pick up their Private Bank Playoff Pack.

For those who can't make it down, tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or logging on tomilwaukeeadmirals.com. For more information, or to purchase group tickets, fans should call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550. Don't forget to follow the Admirals on Twitter (@mkeadmirals) and on Facebook!

This weekend will assuredly be a pretty stressful one for the entire Predators organization!

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IHF Worlds

Don’t know if I am the only one following this, but Craig Smith is leading team USA in scoring after four games with five points. The kid is not affraid to shoot the puck. I really like what I saw of him watching the USA vs. Canada game.

by 901predfan on May 7, 2011 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

I mentioned him the other night, surprised there’s no talk about him here. Has to have some ability to get put on Team USA and put up some decent numbers over their. Sure we’ll see him in Milwaukee next season.

For those watching the Admirals series, any updates on our prospects down there?

by Grizzledbear on May 7, 2011 1:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Smith is a sophomore at Wisconsin

While there have been rumors that Craig Smith is considering turning pro this summer, he just completed his sophomore year and is a team captain at Wisconsin. Personally, I think much like Colin Wilson was brought to the WC’s a couple years ago to test him out against grown men before starting his pro career, Smith is being given that same chance.

Some might say that with Poile and Fenton on the Team USA management staff that Smith had an easy track onto the US roster, but the fact that Craig Smith is playing and much less playing on the top line with Derek Stepan (NYR) and Blake Wheeler (ATL) is all about him. Smith beat out Hobey Baker winner Andy Miele for the final roster spot in this tournament and Smith has excelled with the opportunity while Miele is sitting on the sidelines.

As a freshman, Smith played on Blake Geoffrion’s wing at Wisconsin and was among the NCAA freshman scoring leaders serving as a playmaker and helping his center win the Hobey. This year in Blake’s absence, Smith moved to center, took on more of a finishing role, and lead the team in scoring with 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 41 games.

There is still development time ahead, but so far I like what I see out of Craig Smith. Not bad for a 4th round pick! As for whether or not he turns pro, I’ve gotta think that by watching him grow as the tournament has progressed and seeing him lead the team in scoring through 4 games that he’s ready for more advanced competition. Still though, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed at Wisconsin for another season either…

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by Seth Lake on May 7, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs