Month: March 2014

News

Van Guilder Reassigned to Milwaukee
(Photo Credit: John Russell)
Mark Van Guilder made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators last night. It may have only been for one game – but that’s all that matters. (Photo Credit: John Russell)

Yesterday, Mark Van Guilder was officially recalled to the Nashville Predators under emergency conditions. Today, he has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals but will return to the team with a lifetime of memories.

Last night the 30-year-old forward made his NHL debut in Nashville’s dramatic 4-3 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals. Van Guilder logged 8:27 of ice time, the least of any skater for the Preds, but did get a respectable 14 shifts to go along with a well-deserved 45 seconds of penalty kill time.

In Nashville, Van Guilder joined recent Admirals teammates Calle Jarnkrok (6 NHL games, 1 goal & 4 assists) and Colton Sissons (16 NHL games, 1 goal & 3 assists). Courtesy of our friend Robby Stanley of Smashville 24/7 – Sissons had the following to say about Van Guilder after last night’s game:

“It’s awesome,” Sissons said. “He’s worked so hard for a long time. He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever met and come across in the game so I’m really happy for him. He was a great mentor for me in Milwaukee and helped me out a lot early on when I was just a young pro early on in the season. I can’t say enough about him. He’s an awesome guy.”

Other friend of the Roundtable, Jeremy K. Gover, caught up with Van Guilder in the locker room after the game. You can find his great story on Section 303 – including gem quotes from Van such as this one:

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Van Guilder before starting to look around his stall. “I’ll take whatever they can give me. Doesn’t matter to me. I’ll take a sock, whatever.”

The Roseville, Minnesota native will rejoin the Admirals in the thick of the AHL’s playoff race. Van Guilder has been excellent with Milwaukee this season posting 14 goals and 28 points, with a decent possibility of breaking his career high scoring mark of 14 goals and 32 points.

To see a great photo gallery of the game, check out Predators.NHL.com.

UPDATE: This afternoon, Van Guilder was featured and interviewed on NHL Network. Here are some quotes from his appearance:

When asked about finally making his NHL debut…

“First of all, 400 games? Holy crap. It was awesome. It was so much fun. I think the best part was my teammates in Milwaukee – the support and response from them when I found out from my coach. All the guys that are in Nashville. The cool thing about this was I’ve been in the organization for so long that I had so many guys in Nashville that I knew and were friends with. They made me feel so comfortable. I was actually kind of nervous for the first time in I don’t know how many years for a hockey game. It was awesome and a lot of fun.” Mark Van Guilder.

When asked about what led him down the path of being very active in the Milwaukee community…

“I think a lot of free time and a great staff in Milwaukee. First of all, I think that we are very fortunate to have the job we do. Practice in the morning and be done by – you’re free at 12:15 in the afternoon. You have the rest of the day. So I just think it’s our obligation to give back to the community that comes and supports you every weekend. That’s just how I kind of see it. And we have a great staff that makes it really easy on us – you know, buying us Chipotle whenever we do a school visit and stuff like that, so how could you say no?” Mark Van Guilder.

What was it like when you got the news that you were being called up…

“That was awesome. No warning from Dean Evason, but I think you’re trying to have some fun with it. He was trying to make it special for me. It was awesome. We had a team meeting in the morning on Saturday – just going over some points from the weekend – the previous game – the upcoming game, stuff like that. And then he said, “Oh yeah, one more thing, Van Guilder is going to Nashville.” So that’s how everyone knows. I was kind of surprised at first but all my teammates with hugs and high fives and stuff like that it was pretty special for me.” Mark Van Guilder.

Did you ever think you weren’t going to make it to the NHL…

“To be honest with you, when I was a kid I wasn’t that good. If you asked my peewee hockey coach he’d say there’s not a chance this kid is ever making it. So, I don’t think there was a time. I never really thought – yeah, I’m playing in the NHL. I just kind of took it one step at a time. I was like, man I’d really like to play for Roseville high school varsity team. And then, yeah I’d really love to play Division I hockey. And then, yeah I’d really love to play professional hockey. So it’s kind of been one step at a time and then I think the closer and closer you get the more real it becomes the more you want it.” Mark Van Guilder.

So Roundtable . . . How would you like to welcome back MVG?

Chatterbox

The Chatterbox, Vol. 27
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Quite possibly lost in all the news shuffle leading into last night’s game was Braden Pimm – who made his professional hockey debut last night as a member of the Milwaukee Admirals. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The Admirals four-game point streak was snapped with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the division leading Grand Rapids Griffins last night. It really wasn’t until the third period until the Ads seemed to find some congruity and play on or above the Griffins level. Sadly, with the game level at 1-1, the Griffins found a late goal that put a dent in the Ads hope to gain a point out of the meeting.

You could considering the result frustrating. You could consider the four-game losing streak against Grand Rapids a red flag. But, I caution you to consider the following. The Griffins were in pretty much in full force last night. The Admirals were running a full line shy of their maximum capacity. No Mark Van Guilder. No Calle Jarnkrok. No Colton Sissons. They were all in Nashville last night. Simon Moser and Joonas Jarvinen are also on the comeback trail from injuries. And the Admirals still battled down to the wire with the Western Conference’s second best team.

It might be a bummer to fall three-minutes short last night. But I still see lots and lots of promise – even in a losing effort such as the one against the Griffins. The strength of the team, putting themselves in a chance to earn a point or more, is the difference a season makes. Earlier in the season, they could have fallen to Grand Rapids to the toll of 5-0 (11/20/13) or, again, 5-0 (12/14/13). They were in that exact same mode through two periods last night – but were only down a goal – and then found an equalizer in the third period.

Heads up, Roundtable. It’s that sort of character and new found confidence that should see the month of April get good. There are four games against a hot Chicago Wolves team, two against the evil Rockford IceHogs, two against the Iowa Wild, and one against a playoff push opponent – the Charlotte Checkers (current eighth seed).

It’s time to get watertight for the Admirals. I think they are getting right there with the best of them. When the reinforcements arrive from Nashville – it will only make them that much better. Nine. That’s how many games remain in the season. Then playoff season begins.

Following the game I spoke with Dean Evason, Filip Forsberg, and Braden Pimm. Here is what the group had to say after the defeat against the Griffins.

Continue reading “The Chatterbox, Vol. 27” →

Feature, News

Admirals, Cuts For A Cause

So, the Admirals may have lost to the diabolical Grand Rapids Griffins. It’s a bummer, but, we got a taste of playoff hockey in that game – which is exciting to think about considering we flip our calendars to April on Tuesday.

For those still needing a lift out of the defeat – I bring you this! After the game the Milwaukee Admirals held their annual “Cuts For A Cause” event. For every head shaved the Admirals pledged to donate $50 to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. By my last count, I believe there were a whopping 67 people who participated – including a few Admirals players.

The following photos are via the man, the myth, the miracle, Scott Paulus.

Continue reading “Admirals, Cuts For A Cause” →

Game Recaps

Ads Point Streak Ends, lose 3-1 to Griffins
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Teemu Pulkkinen scored two goals as the Griffins snapped the Admirals four-game point streak tonight in Milwaukee. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The Admirals lost 3-1 against the Grand Rapids Griffins Sunday night. It was a strong night for the visitors as they outshot the Milwaukee 36-27 and had yet another great performance from Petr Mrazek en route to a win that ended the Ads point-streak at four games.

“[Grand Rapids] played a smart game,” said Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason. “They controlled the puck. They got pucks deep on us. And they worked. We anticipated that they would be a little bit more fatigue than they looked, but that’s why they won the league last year.”

In the first period the Griffins were on the receiving end of a quick whistle that cost Miikka Salomaki an opening goal. Patrick Cehlin’s shot from the left wing trickled through Petr Mrazek’s pads, was rolling towards goal, and then Salomaki pushed it in. Unfortunately, the whistle blew just as the Finn barreled in on goal for the puck.

“[The official] apologized,” said Evason. “He just said, he thought the goaltender had it, and he just said, sorry. It happens. Obviously, big goal too. For us, momentum. Just a bad break.”

Former-Admiral Jordin Tootoo clobbered Mathieu Tousignant into the boards in the second period – and it drew the ire of Mike Liambas. Tootoo was going to receive a penalty for boarding, but Liambas instigated and landed some decent blows. Once the dust settled, Liambas also received a ten minute misconduct to go along with an instigator and his fighting major.

Liambas now has 258 penalty minutes this season and is second only to Tootoo in team history in that respect. His combatant tonight holds the record with 266 penalty minutes from the 2004-05 season.

After leading the way in shots for the majority of the contest – the Griffins finally found the back of the net. Francis Wathier was called for kneeing to give the division leaders their second power-play of the game. Ryan Sproul’s shot from the right point was saved by Marek Mazanec with the pads. Yet, he kicked the save out to the left wing for an easy rebound goal for Teemu Pulkkinen – his twenty-ninth goal of the season.

With a power-play putting life back into the Admirals game – they found a breakthrough in the third period that leveled the score at 1-1. Filip Forsberg ripped a shot from the point that eluded four bodies in front of Mrazek and into the net. It was Forsberg’s eleventh goal of the season.

“We didn’t feel we got enough chances in the first two periods,” said Filip Forsberg. “We know that they have some pretty slow d-men there – pretty good size – so we have to use our feet. I think we did that pretty good in the third and created some chances. It was unlucky we couldn’t score more than one goal.”

The Griffins struck back with 3:32 remaining in regulation in eerily similar fashion. They had just capped off a power-play, maintained pressure in attack, and then Sproul’s blast from the right point beat a net front screen and Mazanec for the eventual game-winning goal. It was Sproul’s tenth goal of the season.

The Admirals emptied their net with 1:14 remaining. Pulkkinen’s try on the empty net, post. Mitch Callahan’s chance on the empty net, up and over. Yet Callahan followed in and set up Pulkkinen for the empty netter for his second goal of the game and thirtieth of the season.

Mrazaek has had his way against the Admirals this season and he continued his dominance tonight. He stopped twenty-six of twenty-seven chances – only beaten by a puck that cruised through a wall of traffic. In six meetings against the Admirals he has now won five games in net for the Griffins.

“He had some great saves,” said Forsberg. “We had a couple of good shots and he was there. It’s hard. We have to get in front of him. That goal that we scored we had a lot of people in front so that’s what we need to do and we didn’t do that enough until the third.”

Ramblings: Prior to the game, Mark Van Guilder was officially recalled to the Nashville Predators under emergency conditions. He made his NHL debut in Nashville against the Washington Capitals wearing his #29. Patrick Cehlin played in his one-hundredth game as an Admiral today. Meanwhile, Braden Pimm was playing in his first career AHL game after joining the Admirals in recent days from Northeastern on an ATO.

Scouting

Griffins: Scouting the Enemy
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The more I look at this photo, taken earlier this season, the more I smile. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The Grand Rapids Griffins enter today’s game with a record of 42-20-2-4 (90 points). They are leading the Midwest Division and are second in the Western Conference. On Friday night the reigning Calder Cup Champs were able to clinch their spot in the playoffs.

Today will mark the tenth meeting of the season between the Griffins and Admirals. The season series so far has gone as follows:

Oct. 18 @ Grand Rapids: W, 3-2
Nov. 13 vs. Grand Rapids: W, 2-1
Nov. 20 @ Grand Rapids: L, 5-0
Dec. 13 @ Grand Rapids: L, 4-2
Dec. 14 @ Grand Rapids: L, 5-0
Dec. 26 vs. Grand Rapids: W, 4-1
Feb. 1 vs. Grand Rapids: L, 3-2 (SO)
Feb. 23 @ Grand Rapids: L, 1-0 (SO)
Feb. 26 vs. Grand Rapids: L, 5-1

Admirals, 3-4-0-2 (8 points), goal differential from open play -11 (14 GF, 25 GA), and 155 penalty minutes. Griffins, 6-3-0-0 (12 points), goal differential from open play +11 (25 GF, 14 GA), and 137 penalty minutes.

I feel as if the Admirals in this match up tend to do one of two things. (1) play above the level of the Griffins compete levels and earn one of their best results of the season or (2) get completely outskated by the hyper-skilled team that are the Griffins.

The top scorer in this match up, for either team, is Teemu Pulkkinen. He has played in each of the previous nine games this season and has averaged a point per contest: 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists). The 22-year old Finn has a wicked slap shot and leads all AHL rookies in goal scoring this season with 28 goals. The lone player to edge him in the rookie scoring race? Curtis McKenzie of the Texas Stars (59 points) who has 6 more points than the Griffins right winger (53 points).

Adding to all the glam from the skaters are two great goaltenders: Petr Mrazek and Tom McCollum. Mrazek has played five games against the Admirals this season, won four games, 1.17 GAA, 0.949 SV%, and two shutouts. McCollum has played four games against the Admirals this season, won two games, 2.18 GAA, 0.924 SV%, and has a shutout to his name as well.

Mrazek played last night for the Griffins in their 4-1 win against the Rockford IceHogs. McCollum was in net Friday for the Griffins 5-4 loss in Rockford. It’s always fun to see just how coaches work goalies in a three-in-three scenario. The rested man will be McCollum but the go-to-guy would be Mrazek for this meeting… expect he played last night in Grand Rapids… late travel night… back-to-back starts. It will be an interesting decision.

The Milwaukee Admirals are now 32-21-6-7 (77 points). They remain in third place of the Midwest Division and sixth place in the Western Conference -yet- this recent string of games has really strengthened that position.

Yesterday’s hot news from the Twitter-verse was that Mark Van Guilder will be recalled. The news first came from an agent and was then retweeted by the Nashville Predators Director of Player Development, Scott Nichol. At the time I’m writing this, 1:15 am CST … I am the night, there has still yet to be an official confirmation from the team. It would appear that myself, and media buddy Dave Boehler of the Journel Sentinel, were the lone people to dive in on the social media buzz. By the time I wake up – perhaps we’ll have an official confirmation from the Predators. Look for Kevin Wilson on Twitter if that ends up being the case.

In the less “is this legit or not” news, I can give full confirmation that the Ads are in incredible form this month. 8-2-0-1 (17 points) from eleven games. It’s almost sad to think that today’s contest will be the final contest in March.

Yet, I feel they have finally found their identity at the right time of the season. Today’s game included: there are ten games remaining in the Admirals season. When the Predators season ends – expect to see reinforcements arrive on Monday April 14th – just in time for two more regular season games – and then we’re into Calder Cup Playoff season.

With that sort of mindset. Today’s game should be taken exactly as it is for the Admirals: like a playoff game. The Ads are currently on a four-game point streak, 3-0-0-1 (7 points). The Griffins, who claim to be pesky these days, are 6-3-0-1 (13 points) from their previous ten-games. I am expecting a tightly contested game tonight.

How do you feel the Admirals will play against the Griffins? What are your expectations?

News

Dream Realized: Mark Van Guilder Recalled to Nashville
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Dream. Realized. Mark Van Guilder is heading to the Nashville Predators for his first ever taste of the NHL after six professional seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals. (Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)

As if the recent stretch of games for the Admirals didn’t have you happy or excited enough as it is, more good news! Today, Mark Van Guilder has been summoned by the Nashville Predators.

The news comes a day after Van Guilder and the Admirals defeated the Lake Erie Monsters and strengthened their playoff position in the Western Conference.

I had hit upon this circumstance not too long ago regarding how special it would be for a guy such as Van Guilder get finally reach the NHL after six professional seasons in the organization. Today, it is realized. Tomorrow, he could well make his NHL debut at the young age of 30-years old as the Predators play at home against the Washington Capitals.

This season Van Guilder has played in all 66 games for the Admirals, produced 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists), taken 26 penalty minutes, and has an even plus/minus rating. At the time of his first ever NHL recall he has played 387 games professionally at the AHL and ECHL level – including 304 with the Admirals.

Still awaiting an official statement from the Nashville Predators regarding this move. As soon as that comes into the fray – I’ll provide an update.

UPDATE: I might have taken a day, but, it’s been made official. I suspect the reason why this took some time to unfold is because it is a recall that is taking place under emergency conditions. He will be wearing his #29 in Nashville later tonight and is expected to play on a line with Colin Wilson and Victor Stalberg.

UPDATE: The Milwaukee Admirals have also signed another ATO deal today – Tommy Veilleux has just been added. He was a sixth rounder in the 2013 NHL Draft and played for the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL.

Thoughts? How happy are you for Mark Van Guilder? While were in the MVG Love Fest – what is your favorite Van Guilder moment as an Admiral?

Chatterbox

The Chatterbox, Vol. 26
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Patrick Cehlin has scored twelve points in his last ten games. He picked up his sixth goal of the season in the Admirals 4-3 win against the Lake Erie Monsters Friday night. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

Last night the Admirals took down the Lake Erie Monsters by a final score of 4-3. It was a game of bad bounces but, most importantly, a game that the Admirals capitalized on with those bad bounces. Take Austin Watson’s goal for example. It was the goal that gave the Admirals momentum to tie things up and they propelled from that moment all the way until the final horn.

If the Admirals didn’t seem hot enough these last few weeks. They’re now looking solid without the likes of Colton Sissons or Calle Jarnkrok on the team. It looks as if the defense is solidifying and the forward groups are playing their best hockey of the season – no matter what the line combinations seem to be.

I mentioned at the tail end of the Admirals five-game winless streak, feels like awhile ago, that it is all about getting hot at the right time. In that stretch the IceHogs were shot out of a cannon and above the Admirals in the standings. Look at the standings right now. It has been a fantastic month of March for the Admirals.

After the game I spoke with Dean Evason, Austin Watson, Patrick Cehlin, and Taylor Beck. Here is what they had to say following last night’s victory.

Continue reading “The Chatterbox, Vol. 26” →

Game Recaps

Keeping The Groove, Ads win 4-3
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Taylor Beck, in that stylish 2004 Calder Cup Champions retro uni, tallied tonight’s game-winner as the Admirals won 4-3 in their return to home ice. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The Admirals won 4-3 against the Lake Erie Monsters Friday night. The line combination of Taylor Beck, Francis Wathier, and Austin Watson helped the team get two of the team’s four goals in their second straight win.

“We’re sound,” said Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason of the team’s recent performances. “We’re playing the right way. Everyone is buying in. Our line combinations work. The group doesn’t care who is out of the lineup – who is up in Nashville – they just play the game. It’s a good mix.”

The Monsters came out as the better looking of the two teams in the first period. They had their reward at 4:18 of the frame when Markus Lauridsen scored his third goal of the season. Andrew Agozzino threw a pass from the left wing faceoff circle that picked out the open Lauridsen. The shot whipped past Marek Mazanec to make it 1-0 Monsters.

Vinny Saponari tied the game back up later in the period from a bizarre series. It appeared as though the puck was offsides – and the Monsters sort of reacted with a panic when they realized it wasn’t. Miikka Salomaki cradled it, passed to the left wing side of the cage for Mark Van Guilder, and Van’s pass to Saponari saw him patiently wait for the roof of the net to open for him. It did, and he beat Sami Aittokallio for his fifteenth goal of the season.

Then came an incredibly poor goal that allowed the Monsters to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room with fifty-seven seconds remaining in the first period. Mazanec was run over from an initial scoring chance by David van der Gulik. In the melee, Mazanec lost his goaltending stick and really didn’t have his bearings set as the play continued. Mazanec kicked his stick into the net as he tried gathering himself, set back in net, but Mark Olver’s shot beat him to the stick side – where Mazenec lacked the paddle to make a save. It was Olver’s fourteenth goal of the season. I still have troubles understanding why the play wasn’t blown dead for a goaltender interference call.

The Hockey Gods were there for the Admirals in the second period. They were able to score two goals in the period – both of which were down right spectacular.

Austin Watson scored his fifteenth goal of the season after a massive redirection from the end boards. Scott Valentine was rimming the puck around the boards from the right point and it hit a seam right at the trapezoid line. Aittokallio was looking around the other side of the net waiting for it to reappear. Watson had a tap in to make it 2-2.

“I guess I was just looking the right way,” said Austin Watson. “At the last second I saw it come out. If I don’t put that one away I’d be kicking myself.”

The Monsters took a too many men on the ice penalty in the dying minutes of the second period. Having looked great all night without the goal to show for it – the power-play unit delivered with Patrick Cehlin’s sixth goal of the season. Cehlin’s initial shot caused his stick to explode in half. He raced to the bench, grabbed a fresh twig, skated down the right wing wall, and fired a wrister that whistled into the net with 0.7 seconds remaining in the second period. I wonder if he scored that goal with someone else’s stick for as quick as that play happened.

Taylor Beck hit plenty of iron tonight: power-play, even strength, shorthanded, he pinged pipe a lot. Fortunately for him, Austin Watson set him up perfectly with a wing to wing pass that gave Beck a clean look on net for his fourteenth goal of the season – and first goal since the opening game of the Ads four-game road trip.

Goals of the bizarre continued with an Andrew Agozzino shot from the far left wing corner. The puck seemed to beat Mazanec right along the skate and near post and squeak in for Agozzino’s thirteenth goal of the season.

With the game tightened up at 4-3, and an empty net, the Admirals were able to survive a late push from the Monsters to extend their current point streak to four games. In the month of March, ten games, they are now 7-2-0-1 (15 points).

Ramblings: The team wore throwback uniforms tonight in honor of the 2004 Calder Cup Champions. They’ll be wearing them again for Sunday’s game against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Joonas Jarvinen and Simon Moser remained out with injury. Josh Shalla was a healthy scratch tonight. In the first period, following his goal, Vinny Saponari was injured and did not return from the game. He is probable for Sunday.

Scouting

Monsters: Scouting the Enemy
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Mike Liambas and Vincent Arseneau are under this pile. Take my word for it. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The last time the Milwaukee Admirals met the Lake Erie monsters they won 6-5. It was their first win over the Monsters since March 16, 2012. Let’s reflect back on some of this season’s history between the two.

Jan. 3 @ Lake Erie: L, 4-2
Jan. 4 @ Lake Erie: L, 6-1
Jan. 12 vs. Lake Erie: W, 6-5

The games in Lake Erie were really -really- rough games for the Admirals. How rough? Scott Darling had enough of it in the second game of the two-in-two and decided to drop the gloves with his counterpart in net Sami Aittokallio.

That set the stage for the rematch in Milwaukee. The tables sort of reversed from the second game to the third. Yet, the Monsters did make a real strong push late to keep things interesting.

If things continue with the norm of the season series – we could be in for a pretty fun show.

The Monsters enter this game with a record of 28-28-0-8 (64 points).

Did you double take reading that like I did? They are the only team in the AHL to not record an overtime loss this season – and they have been 16 games that have occurred in OT or longer: 2 OT wins, 6 shootout wins, 8 shootout losses.

Their record puts them fourth in the North Division and twelfth in the Western Conference. It would be a battle for them to make the playoffs – which makes them all the more dangerous coming into tonight’s game.

They are currently on a run of 3-0-0-2 in their last five games. In those games they have played two games that went into a shootout and lost both. The rest that finished in regulation? Wins. From open play they have outscored their opponents 15-11 in this stretch – including back-to-back shutouts of the woeful Rochester Americans.

Leading the Monsters in scoring is Mark Olver with 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists). Right behind him, only down by one goal in scoring, is Andrew Agozzino.

Other players to keep an eye on are Bryan Lerg and Joey Hishon. Lerg leads the Monsters active roster with most points scored per game with 0.77 Pt/G – 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 35 games. Hishon scored a hat trick in the last meeting against the Admirals – and has 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) from 3 games against Milwaukee this season.

In net for the Monsters include’s Calvin Pickard, Chet’s brother, and Scott Darling’s favorite punching bag. Pickard has played the most games between the two: 38 games, 15 wins, 2.87 GAA, 0.903 SV%, and 2 shutouts. Aittokallio has played in 29 games, won 12 games, 2.57 GAA, 0.912 SV%, and has 4 shutouts.

Aittokallio has made the most recent starts for the Monsters. Last time out he lost in a shootout, 6-5, to the Chicago Wolves. Prior to that he posted back-to-back shutouts over the Amerks.

The Admirals now have a record of 31-21-6-7 (75 points) following their four-game road trip that saw them pull in 5 points out of a possible 8. They remain third in the Midwest Division and sixth in the Western Conference – but – during the last few weeks they have been trending up and gaining a cushion on the likes of the Rockford IceHogs, Charlotte Checkers, and the plummeting Rochester Americans.

Of all that happened during the Admirals road trip I feel the biggest thing that took place was Marek Mazanec finally delivering a game where he allowed less that 2 goals. Despite achieving that and more in the NHL, 2 shutouts, he had a string of 24 consecutive games where he allowed 2 goals or more from his starts. The curse is broken!

There are plenty of skaters we could talk about when it comes to the recent offense. Many players are enjoying their best offensive productivity this entire season right now. Of the two that stand out to me are Patrick Cehlin and Mathieu Tousignant.

Cehlin has only played in 28 games this season and missed the better part of two months due to a concussion. Since he has come back he has slowly worked back up to speed. Right now his pace is phenomenal. In his last 9 games he has scored 11 points (1 goal, 10 assists).

He really seems to be at a great place physically and it’s really helping him on the ice. I actually wonder, with the time missed earlier this season, if he won’t actually be in better condition come playoff time than any other player on the Admirals roster. If he keeps performing like this – that’ll be massive.

At the end of February – Tousignant had 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists). So far in the month of March he has tallied 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 10 games. He’s our fourth line center that plays alongside Mike Liambas and Joonas Rask. That is a line that has done so well that they will often start games because of how well they set the tempo. Our resident hyper-talking French Canadian Tousi has plenty to do with how well that lines gels.

What are your expectations for tonight’s game? Can the Admirals successful road stint spill over to home ice?

News

Sissons and Jarnkrok Score Their First Career NHL Goals
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Tonight in Nashville, Colton Sissons and Calle Jarnkrok scored their first career NHL goals as the Predators beat the Sabres 6-1.

Prior to tonight’s Nashville Predators game I made the joke that the Admirals played against the Rochester Americans last night – and now so do the Predators. After the first period the Predators led 4-0 over the Buffalo Sabres. And, of that opening frame, we saw some NHL firsts.

Colton Sissons’ First Career NHL Goal (Video)

At 6:26 of the first period Colton Sissons netted his first career NHL goal. He may have fanned on his initial shot to the net, but, it actually worked to his favor. With the puck sliding over to Richard Clune in front of the net – Sissons kept skating towards the side of the crease and was in the right place at the right time when Clune’s follow-up backhander banged off of Matt Hackett‘s pads. Sissons popped home the rebound for his first NHL goal in his fourteenth NHL game.

Calle Jarnkrok’s First Career NHL Goal (Video)

Only nine-seconds after Colin Wilson scored the game’s second goal – Calle Jarnkrok netted his first career NHL goal at 11:53 of the first period. Henrik Tallinder was pressured back into his own zone by Craig Smith, who forced the turnover that fell towards Gabriel Bourque, who dinked the puck back into the slot for Jarnkrok, and blammo! Jarnkrok has now scored a point in every game he has played in with the Predators. This first career NHL goal comes in only his fourth game since being recalled from the Admirals.

UPDATE: Post-game locker room photos!

Sissons-FirstGoal-1
(Photo Credit: Kevin Wilson)

 

Jarnkrok-FirstGoal-1
(Photo Credit: Kevin Wilson)

Have you been following along with their progress in the NHL? If so, how do you think they have been playing?