ADMIRALS TAKE BACK-TO-BACK WEEKEND GAMES 2-1

Rockford falls below .500 to end October for first time since 2001

Rockford, Ill.- For every move the Rockford IceHogs had, the Milwaukee Admirals had an answer as the Admirals won 2-1 on Saturday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Corey Crawford saved 23 shots in another strong performance. Center Matt Keith scored Rockford's only goal of the night.

"We need to create more offensively but at the same time we gave up a lot of chances," said Keith. "If it wasn't for (Crawford) in the second period it could have been a lot worse."

After a scoreless first period, Milwaukee's first goal came when Crawford went to play the puck behind the net early in the second frame. It took a bad bounce and slid into the goal to put the Admirals up 1-0 at 1:11 into the second frame. Mark Matheson was given his first goal of the season unassisted.

Keith evened the score at one off a dish from Bracken Kearns at 2:01 in the third frame. The centerman found the corner of the goal on a snipe from the the face-off circle. Bryan Bickell was also credited with an assist.

But then O'Reilly solved Crawford at 5:59 in the final frame to take the lead back on a power play. Jonathan Blum and Robert Dietrich had the helpers.

"Tonight in the third we just didn't do enough to come back and win," said Keith.

Chet Pickard had 24 saves in his first professional win. The rookie netminder is 1-1-0 on the season. Rockford's power play continued to struggle, going without a goal in three attempts. Milwaukee was 1-for-1 on the power play.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Nov. 4 vs. San Antonio Rampage. The puck is set to drop at 7:05 p.m. Super Fan Cameron Hughes is back, presented by Rock Valley College, Nicholson Hardware, WXRX, Bob FM and 23 WIFR, to cause a general ruckus. Also if the IceHogs score with 9:10 left on the clock in the third period, one fan in attendance will win $10,000. It's also a WXRX Student Rush night where high school and college students with a valid ID will get the best available seat for $10 after 6 p.m. at the MetroCentre Box Office.