A month and a day after the Admirals opened their season with a thrilling victory over the Chicago Wolves in their building, the Wolves returned the favor Wednesday night at the Bradley Center, earning their first road victory of the season.  The AHL gamesheet is here, the Milwaukee recap isn't up yet, and the Wolves recap is...well, screw them. They beat us, they get no link.

The loss is bad enough for Coach Lane Lambert; the method may be more troubling. 

"There was a lack of communication and a lack of focus," said Lambert, "and that can't happen." 

Chris Chelios had two assists in his Bradley Center debut return to the Bradley Center, including an NHL caliber pass to set up the game winning goal.  Chelios carried the puck down the near offensive boards and fed the puck toward the net.  The key word is TOWARD the net.  Dekanich went down to make the save, but the puck was actually a pass to forward Tim Stapleton, who scored into the open net.  Tough to fault Dekanich on it -- it was a pretty play, and Stapleton's second (and arguably third) goal of the game.

Coach Lane Lambert certainly didn't fault Dex for that play. He placed most of the blame about 15 seconds earlier - when Scott Ford pinched in at the offensive blueline.

"When the mistake is made, Chelios has the presence of mind to see it. It was a lay-up goal. It looked too easy."

Drew MacIntyre made 14 saves on only 17 shots for the win, and came up with some big saves in the last couple of minutes of the game -- a storyline that should sound familiar to Admirals fans.

The Wolves scored the first two goals in a wild first period with Tim Stapleton scoring both goals within 2:03 of each other. (The first goal was given to Anthony Stewart, but we call B.S. on that, with Chris Jerina's great photo below as exhibit A)

Before the period was over, though, the Admirals responded with a wild 56 seconds that tied the score. Nick Spaling scored a goal off a rebound (credited to Ryan Maki), and a highlight reel goal from Wacey Rabbit tied it up.

The Spaling/Maki goal was the result of some great work by the reunited Grant-Spaling-Maki line. Grant had a shot blocked, got another shot off the rebound, Maki then got a shot off THAT rebound that either went in or went to Spaling in front, depending on who you believe. 

The Rabbit goal was....impressive. Mark Van Guilder gathered a loose puck in the neutral zone and broke down the the right boards. He centered to a wide-open Rabbit who made a move to his forehand, got MacIntyre to drop, deftly switched to his backhand, and roofed a shot over Mac's glove.  

Mark "Pudding" Santorelli gave the Admirals their only lead of the game with his 3rd goal of the season (30% of the way to a new nickname!) on a poorly-defended power play goal. The power play was earned by Ryan Jones, who got position on Brett Sterling and drew an interference call. 

About a minute into the man-advantage, Ben Guite fed Santorelli between the circles. Santorelli, with his back to the net, had time to turn around, gather the puck again, take a stride toward the net and THEN shoot the puck. It beat MacIntyre, who was screened by none-other-than Ryan Jones.

That lead lasted about 4 minutes, when some bad luck and some inertia conspired against Milwaukee. Ben Guite was back-checking on a 3-on-2. He actually caught up with the play, and blocked a centering pass. Unfortunately, his momentum carried him past the slot while the puck sat idle about 5 feet in front of the crease. Guite fell down trying to stop, and Jon Blum could do nothing to get to the puck...but Arturs Kulda swung at it and slid it towards the net. Dekanich didn't appear to see the puck until it was by him and into the net.

While that goal turned out to be the game winner, Coach Lambert recognizes that, for the 9th time in 11 games, his team fell behind early. This time - by two goals.  

"Whatever is going on in the room before the game has to change, because we can't come out and play like we are in the first period. It's time for them to step up to the plate and prepare themselves and be ready to go. It's professional hockey."

The Admirals didn't go down without a fight at the end, though. On the power play, Lambert pulled Goaltender Mark Dekanich for 1:28 of 6-on-4. Cal O'Reilly had a point-blank chance that he couldn't elevate, and Robert Dietrich hit a post. While the Ads couldn't get the puck in the net - there may be a silver lining there.  

"As poorly as I thought we played, we were still in the game," said Lambert. "At least there's some positive sign there."

NOTES

Jason Jozsa was the only scratch for the Admirals tonight. 

Ryan Maki left the game in the third period after getting checked by Triston Grant behind the Wolves net. He tried to take his next shift - but couldn't make it. He appeared to be favoring his left leg as he hobbled down the tunnel and was assisted to the lockerroom. His status for Friday - based only on this observation -  has to be "doubtful" or "questionable."

The Admirals only registered 5 shots in the third period according to the game sheet (4...according to our usually more accurate count). In fact, they had only 17 for the game.

The Admirals had a horrendous night on face offs. They went 0-7 in defensive zone draws in the first period, and 3-16 on the night. That's out of character. 

LINES

Maki-Spaling-Grant

Jones-O'Reilly-Santorelli

Olvecky-Guite-Jessiman

Rabbit-Van Guilder-McKenzie

That fourth line was flipped after the 1st period, as Rabbit was moved to center. 

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Do NOT be surprised if an Admirals player gets called up tonight (or tomorrow morning). Nashville has only 18 skaters in Anaheim. That's the bare minimum needed to field a team. It would be irresponsible of them NOT to call someone up.

Likewise, we still expect a Mueller recall tomorrow - especially with Maki's status undetermined.