A pair of second period power play goals by Simon Gamache was all Milwaukee would need to beat the Rampage by a score of 2-1 at the Bradley Center on Thursday night.
Libor Pivko picked up the assists on both Admirals goals. The two goals for Gamache were his ninth and tenth of the season.
Brian Finley was solid in goal for the Admirals, stopping 25 of 26 shots to pick up his 12th win of the season.
Karl Goehring kept the game close with 33 saves on 35 shots and rookie Matt Jones scored his first career AHL goal in the losing effort for San Antonio.
The win for Milwaukee (36-14-5-2, 79 pts.) positions the Admirals just two points behind West division leading Houston. Milwaukee will entertain Houston this Saturday and Sunday in the showdown for first place.
For San Antonio (16-34-1-4, 37 pts.) it was a bitter end to a 10-game, 21-day road trip, which the Rampage ended with a 2-6-0-2 record. The Rampage return home to the AT&T Center on Friday night to start a ten-game home stand against the Iowa Stars.
IOWA 3, HOUSTON 4
Two power play goals by Rem Murray and Curtis Murphy scored 90 seconds apart in the third period helped Houston Aeros to a 4-3 victory over the Iowa Stars. Houston’s Josh Harding made 35 saves to pick up his 24th win of the season. Loui Eriksson, Peter Stastny and Mathias Tjarnqvist each scored for the Stars.
LOWELL 4, SPRINGFIELD 1
Krystofer Kolanos scored twice to lead the Lock Monsters to the victory over the Falcons. David Gove posted a goal and an assist while Craig Kowalksi made 29 saves on 30 shots for Lowell. Doug O’Brien scored the lone goal for Springfield.
