Stars Fall 2-1 to Ads in Tight Game

Whenever the Admirals and Stars tangle, the only time the differential is more than one is when there's an empty netter. Even though both clubs have changed coaches since last season, Texas and Milwaukee's low-scoring nature really comes out against each other. Tonight's game was no exception. Texas got a goal from Mike Hedden, but Milwaukee collected two in just 75 seconds in the first. That was the difference. Texas ends its four game point streak, and Milwaukee broke a three-game losing skid with the W.

With Francis Wathier in the box, Juuso Puustinen got things started for the Ads in the first period, beating Andrew Raycroft over the left shoulder for his 13th of the year. Only 75 seconds later, Joel Champagne added his fourth of the season to set the score at an early 2-0 advantage for Milwaukee. Champagne's goal came on the rebound of an initial Ryan Flynn shot.

As the first wound down, Mike Hedden cut the lead to 2-1 for Milwaukee as his fourth of the season found twine. The hot hands of Colton Sceviour assisted on the play. Milwaukee outshot Texas 12-11 in the period.

The second and third period were mostly quiet, traditional low-scoring fair between these two teams. Texas outshot the Ads 9-5 in the second but neither team tallied a goal.

Texas got a late chance the Joel Champagne in the penalty box but could not convert on the power play. Francis Wathier took a cross-checking penalty with just 49 seconds left to seal things up for the Milwaukee Admirals.

Jeremy Smith finished with 22 saves in the contest and Raycroft with 23. The Stars are next in action against the Rockford IceHogs on Monday afternoon.

Tonight's lines:
Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Garbutt-Connolly-Schultz
Gazdic-Hauswirth-Godard

Benn-Dillon
Fortunus-Lukowich
Labrie-Spang

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Esposito, Berube (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 6,885.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Milwaukee - January 14 2012

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