Power-Plays Run Wild in 5-3 Loss for Stars

Mar 30, 2018

Boxscore Photos Three Stars: 1. McNeill (MIL) 2. Zengerle (MIL) 3. Zolnierczyk (MIL) Shots: Stars - 36 Admirals - 20 Goaltenders: W - Lindback L - Bow

MILWAUKEE - The power plays stole the spotlight on Friday night as the a combined six goals were scored on the man-advantage before the Milwaukee Admirals held on for a 5-3 win over the Texas Stars in front of 5,128 fans in attendance at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

Curtis McKenzie, Justin Dowling and Sheldon Dries all scored man-advantage goals for Texas (34-24-7-4), but it was former Star Mark McNeill's power-play strike for Milwaukee (35-28-4-1) three minutes into the third that held up as the game-winner. Anders Lindback his league-leading 30th win of the season after stopping 33 shots on a night where Texas vastly outshot the Admirals, 36-20.

Landon Bow stopped 15 of 19 in the loss.

McNeill's goal extended the Admirals' lead to 4-2, but Dries pulled Texas back within on at 7:53 on a rebound goal for his 18th of the season. Texas pulled their goaltender for a final push but Trevor Smith added the empty-net tally in the closing seconds to seal the win for the home team.

Both teams traded power-play goals in the first as McKenzie buried a rebound chance with 7:08 remaining to play and Harry Zolnierczyk knotted the score three minutes later.

Texas jumped back in front five minutes into the second as Justin Dowling scored his 12th of the season during a two-man advantage. Freddy Gaudreau responded minutes later with another power-play goal for the Admirals on a shot from the left circle. Tyler Gaudet tapped home an even-strength goal in the goal crease with eight minutes left in the second to give the Admirals their first lead of the night, 3-2.

Both teams went 3-for-5 on the power play as Texas allowed three power-play goals against for only the second time this season. 

Photo Credit: Milwaukee Admirals