Photos courtesy of Mike Goelzer

Lake Erie built a 3-0 lead midway through the third period before giving up two Admirals goals in the last minute. Milwaukee would still come up short, however, as the Monsters held on for the 3-2 win, their fourth straight.

The Monsters now boast a 36-25-3-5 record and are currently in second place in the North Division.

After a scoreless first period in which Milwaukee outshot Lake Erie 13-6, it would be three-quarters of the way through the second period before either team lit the lamp.

Greg Mauldin gave the Monsters a 1-0 lead with his marker at 14:49, assisted by David van der Gulik and Cameron Gaunce. Mauldin has scored in four straight games and in seven on the last nine. He has also recorded points in five straight and 10 of the last 11 (8g, 4a). Gaunce has points in five straight games (1g, 7a).

Justin Mercier increased the Lake Erie lead before the end of the second period, scoring on the power play at 19:01. Van der Gulik and Ben Walter assisted. Van der Gulik has now posted five assists in his last two games and recorded back-to-back multi-point games for the second time this season. Walter has points in four consecutive contests and in 12 of the past 13 (3g, 16a).

Lake Erie finished the second period with the 2-0 advantage after outshooting Milwaukee 11-7.

Midway through the third period, Julien Brouillette scored the eventual game-winner, an unassisted power play tally at 9:46.

Just as it looked like the Monsters were going to leave Milwaukee with the 3-0 shutout, the Admirals made it interesting in the final minute. Brock McBride scored at 19:10 off assists from Jamie Bates and Grant Lewis.

Former Monsters player Chris Mueller then cut the Admirals deficit to one goal with his unassisted marker at 19:46.

Lake Erie held on for the last seconds, escaping with the 3-2 win.

John Grahame was in net for the Monsters, stopping 25 of 27 shots in the win.

Jeremy Smith had 22 saves on 25 shots between the Milwaukee pipes.

The Monsters will finish their three-in-three weekend and five-game road swing in Peoria on Sunday.