A two-goal Monsters lead evaporated in a 48-second span during the third period, and the Lake Erie Monsters (32-25-3-4) eventually fell in overtime to the Milwaukee Admirals (31-26-2-2) by a 5-4 score in front of 10,885 fans at Quicken Loans Arena Friday night. Despite the overtime loss, the Monsters eight-game unbeaten-in-regulation streak ties a franchise best; a run that has been achieved on two previous occasions. Peter MacArthur and Patrick Rissmiller each recorded multi-point efforts in the loss.

Rissmiller demonstrated great patience in netting the game’s first goal at 15:45 of the opening period- his 11th of the season- when he briefly delayed in front of the net before sending the rebound from a MacArthur shot into the upper regions of the Milwaukee goal. Dean Strong also gathered an assist on Rissmiller’s goal.

The 1-0 lead lasted less than four minutes. Milwaukee’s Victor Bartley received a back-door pass on the power play at 19:22 of the opening period and tapped the puck by Monsters goalie Cedrick Desjardins to tie the game.

At 3:04 of the second period, Greg Mauldin took a pass from Rissmiller on a two-on-one, and sent the puck underneath Milwaukee goalie Jeremy Smith to regain a one-goal lead for the Monsters. The goal was Mauldin’s 14th on the season.

Again, less than four minutes later at 6:49 of the second period, Brodie Dupont scored on the power play to tie the game for Milwaukee at 2-2, which would remain the score for the remainder of the second.

Eric Hunter responded for the Monsters just 2:45 into the third period when he rocketed a wrist shot that beat Smith glove side to put the Monsters up 3-2. The goal was Hunter’s fourth of the season, and was assisted by Ryan Stoa.

Then, the Monsters gained the only two-goal lead of the game for either team when Peter MacArthur scored on the power play- his third of the season- at 8:26 of the final period. Strong and Brad Malone assisted on the Monsters fourth goal of the game.

But Scott Ford at 13:43, and Dupont at 14:31, each scored before the third period could expire, and Milwaukee managed to tie the game at 4-4 and force overtime.

Taylor Beck scored on a backhand from the front of the Monsters net at 2:44 of overtime to earn the second point in the standings for Milwaukee.

Desjardins is 12-6-3 after the overtime loss in which he stopped 37 of 42 shots. Smith picks up the win for Milwaukee; he is 24-18-1-3.

The Monsters continue their St. Patrick’s Day weekend Saturday night when the host the Chicago Wolves. The action begins at 7:30 PM, and can be heard live on AM 1220 WHKW.

NOTES: Peter MacArthur has points in three straight games; he has a goal and three assists over that time… Brad Malone is also on a three-game point streak with two goals and two assists over that time… The Monsters record when Ryan Stoa notches a point moves to 14-4-1-1… Cedrick Desjardins is 3-0-2 over his last five starts in net… The Monsters finish the season series against Milwaukee with a 1-1-2-0 record, and are now 7-5-3-1 all-time against the Admirals… The Monsters are 5-0-0-2 in March, and are now 12-3-1-3 since the all-star break… Greg Mauldin has goals in back-to-back games… The seven power plays allowed by the Monsters in the game were the most for a Monsters opponent since the Toronto Marlies had eight power plays against the Monsters on February 20th; a game Toronto won 4-1… Saturday’s game will mark Chicago’s first visit to The Q this season.