Wednesday night was hockey night at the UWM Panther Arena. While it might not have the marquee appeal of Packers-Bears or Brewers-Cubs, the city rallied behind the Milwaukee Admirals to defeat the Chicago Wolves and live to see another day in pursuit of the AHL’s Calder Cup. After defeating the Manitoba Moose three games to two earlier in the month, the Admirals now have to go through their Central Division rivals who led the division with an impressive 50-16-5-5 record.
Captain Cole Schneider and company came into the night down two games and facing elimination after dropping a pair in Rosemont, but after upsetting the Moose in their first round matchup, the Admirals were ready to take care of business during their homestand with hopes of then stealing one in Illinois to upset the Wolves for the Central Division Finals. Thankfully part one of their plan came true as the home team won Game 3 with a 4-2 final score, forcing a Game 4 on Friday night.
Check our some of our favorite images from the Admirals' Wednesday night playoff matchup against the Chicago Wolves:
1. As Cooley as a cucumber
Goaltender Devin Cooley was clutch in the elimination game for the Admirals, recording 47 saves on 49 shots. To make things even better for the netminder, he did it all on his birthday in front of a home crowd.
2. Three apples for Cody Glass
Cody Glass had an assist (“apple” for the hockey community) on three of the Milwaukee Admirals' four goals Wednesday night. They weren’t cheap ones either as all three of his assists were primary and during Admirals power plays.
3. Home ice
Wednesday went substantially different for the Admirals on home ice than the first two games in Chicago, thanks in part to the thousands of fans that showed up to the UWM Panther Arena to cheer on their local hockey team.
4. “You can’t do that”
Wolves RW Stefan Noesen committed quite the mistake when he collided with Devin Cooley with about five minutes left in the second period. About half a minute later, the Admirals converted the Wolves' goalie interference penalty into a goal for the good guys.
5. A wolf or a Lyon?
Chicago Wolves goalie Alex Lyon has been amazing in the Calder Cup playoffs thus far, giving up less than two goals per game going into Wednesday night. However last night wasn’t his best, as the Minnesota native doubled that impressive stat, giving up four goals against the Admirals. Lyon didn’t have much help though, as three of the four goals came during the penalty kill.
6. More cowbell
The Admirals lit the lamp four times throughout the game as the home crowd went crazy on their team branded cowbells. When you combine stellar goaltending and you can put four on the board, you’re always going to have a good chance to win.
7. See you Friday
The Wolves couldn’t force the Admirals to walk the plank on Wednesday night, so the team lives to see another day and will meet Chicago again on home ice for a Friday night game this weekend. If the Admirals can pull out another home win, they’ll just have to steal one on the road to advance to the next round in pursuit of the Calder Cup.
