After going five consecutive games without a regulation loss, the Lake Erie Monsters fell by a 4-0 count to the Milwaukee Admirals at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday night in front of 7,311 fans. Milwaukee became just the second team to shut out Lake Erie this season.

The regulation loss came as Lake Erie’s second of the season on home ice, as they now hold a 3-2-1-1 record at The Q.

At 14:29 of the opening period, former Monster Chris Mueller picked off a loose puck in the neutral zone, split the Lake Erie defense and scored on a breakaway to put the Admirals up 1-0. Mueller’s goal was shorthanded and unassisted.

Despite falling into a one-goal deficit in the first period, the Monsters outshot Milwaukee 13-7 in the first 20 minutes.

In the middle frame, Aaron Johnson put the Ads up 2-0 when his wrist shot from the point made its way through traffic and into the net at 5:11. Mueller assisted for his second point of the night.

The second period featured a low shot count, as Lake Erie notched four and Milwaukee recorded seven. The frame ended with the Admirals up, 2-0.

In the third period, Matt Halischuk buried a rebound at 2:02, assisted by another former Monster, Jamie Lundmark, and Ryan Thang.

With Lake Erie goaltender Jason Bacashihua pulled in favor of an extra attacker, Milwaukee finalized a 4-0 score sheet when Mueller tapped in an empty-net tally at the 17:58 mark. Mueller’s third point of the night was assisted by Linus Klasen and Andreas Thuresson.

Bacashihua made 23 saves in his third consecutive start for the Monsters.

At the other end, Mark Dekanich made 21 saves in his second straight shutout for the Admirals, improving his record to 8-1-1-1 on the season.

Lake Erie will host Milwaukee for a rematch at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Quicken Loans Arena.

Three Stars: 1. MIL Mueller (2 goals, 1 assist); 2. MIL Dekanich (21 saves); 3. MIL Johnson (1 goal)

David Quinn Postgame Interview