MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Wolves opened this year’s Amtrak Rivalry series against the Milwaukee Admirals on a sour note, dropping a 7-4 decision Friday night at the Bradley Center.

Four different players scored for the Wolves as forwards Brett Sterling, Jordan Schroeder, Tim Miller and defenseman Mark Matheson lit the lamp for Chicago.

Milwaukee (5-6-0-0) opened scoring early as left wing Kevin Henderson took a feed from defenseman Victor Bartley and knocked home a goal past Wolves netminder Eddie Lack at 3:44 of the first period.

Schroeder had the equalizer for Chicago (7-4-1-0) 90 seconds later, beating Admirals goaltender Magnus Hellberg glove side at 5:11.

With the score knotted at one, Milwaukee broke away with two goals in less than two minutes, first from right wing Taylor Beck and then right wing Patrick Cehlin.

In a 3-1 hole, the Wolves went to the power play and Matheson went five-hole on Hellberg to bring the Wolves within one at 9:55.

Before the close of the first frame, Milwaukee would fire one more past Lack, this time off a point shot from defenseman Scott Valentine.

Lack (6-3-0) stopped nine of 13 shots before giving way to Matt Climie at the start of the second period.

Sterling cut into Chicago’s deficit midway through the second period, rifling a shot top-shelf past Hellberg sending him to the bench in favor of Jeremy Smith.

Hellberg kicked out 13 of 16 shots in 31:03 of action, while Smith (3-6-0) posted 14 saves on 15 shots to earn the win.

Admirals center Austin Watson closed out the frame with a quick wrister past Climie at 19:50 to give Milwaukee a 5-3 advantage.

The third period saw Milwaukee open a 7-3 lead with goals from Beck and defenseman Mike Moore before Miller closed the game’s scoring with a marker at 12:35.

Chicago will wrap up its five-game road trip with an Illinois Lottery Cup game against the Peoria Rivermen on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.

– The Chicago Wolves