The Milwaukee Admirals sent the Abbotsford Heat to a third consecutive loss in decisive fashion on Tuesday evening, blowing out the Heat 8-3 at the Bradley Center.
Admirals forward Chris Mueller led the offensive onslaught, notching a hat trick and adding an assist. Ryan Thang, Michael Latta, Zack Stortini, Taylor Beck and Juuso Puustinen also scored for Milwaukee, which improved to 13-6-1-1.
Jon Rheault, Paul Byron and Dustin Sylvester mustered goals for the Heat (13-8-1-0), who have been out-scored 16-4 over their current losing streak.
For the second time in three games, Abbotsford starting goalie Leland Irving got the hook. He was pulled at the 7:44 mark of the first after the Admirals scored a pair of power-play goals, though he would appear again later in the game. He finished the night with five goals allowed on nine shots, while backup Joni Ortio, who came on in relief, surrendered three goals on 10 shots.
The Heat will look to get back on track with three road games in three days this weekend. They play Friday and Sunday against the Chicago Wolves, the Vancouver Canucks' affiliate, with a Saturday date with the Rockford IceHogs sandwiched in between.