Brian Finley has had a rough time of things on the Bradley Center ice in recent outings. His last home game of the season last year was one of those that every netminder dreads. His first home game this season looked eerily similar to it except that he didn't return later in the game. So with second place in the Western Division in the balance, he took to the ice to see if his recent hot streak would hold up at home.
Coming off a great week on the road over the Thanksgiving holiday, Finley was primed for this one. "I think when he let in that second goal, I'm sure he was thinking 'oh God, I hope this nightmare doesn't go', but I thought he was good," said Head Coach Claude Noel, "It was good for him to get a win here, in Milwaukee, and get that camel off his back."
Novembers saw the Admirals turn red hot, going 10-2-0 and climb from last place to second in the division. "We've had a pretty good month," said Noel, "this was probably one of the worst games we've played this month. I didn't think we had a lot of rhythm in the game, I thought penalties were a huge factor. I thought we looked a little tired, mentally a little tired. But we got the win, and sometimes you win ugly. We got three power play goals and one short handed goal tonight, so things went a little our way."
Commenting on his team's specialty teams, "It worked out for us tonight, a couple of rebound goals. (Greg) Classen's goal was a rebound that he put in, just people at the net. Sometimes that's how you have to do it. It was good to see (Libor) Pivko back at the point on the Power Play, I think that really helped us. Special teams was.. special."
Commenting on Finley's play, Noel went on, "He was very good on the road, he saw the pucks really well. I thought played pretty well tonight, he really had to be aware of what was going on." Expanding further on the turn around from the last game he'd played in Milwaukee, "I think his focus has been great, he's been able to focus on his shots and see the puck well. Playing a few games on the road really helped his confidence, getting back to back shutouts. It's good to see him have some success."
Kris Beech provided all the offense the Admirals would need with his first AHL Hat Trick. "It's my first one in the AHL so it's good to have. I'm really begging to know these guys and gel with them. It feels good to be successful," said Beech. Commenting on his game winning short hander which trickled over Jason Bacashihua, "I just shot it high blocker, a pretty hard shot I got it off pretty quick and hard, I usually don't shoot there, because there is the butt end, usually its not a good place to shoot for a left hander, but it went off of the butt end."
