Félix Girard doesn’t have a single point of offense to his name in the Milwaukee Admirals opening month of the season. Don’t let that fool you when you consider how great his all-around play has been. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
When thinking of who would be the top performing member of the Milwaukee Admirals in the opening month of the season you’re met with reminders of how very little actual consistent play was produced. The team’s record of 2-4-1-0 (5 points) basically drives that message home but, individually, pretty much the same can be said.
So, who was the Admirals most consistent and reliable performer in a poor opening month? When thinking about how everyone played I kept coming back to one man and that man is Félix Girard.
(Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
What’s funny is, if you were to simply looking along the stats of the Admirals you probably end up looking clean past Girard. And I understand that. He hasn’t scored a single point of offense in the Admirals opening seven games. What you are missing when overlooking him purely based on stats is that he is probably the only Admirals forward from game one to game seven that has looked sharp. He’s done solid work on the lower lines for the Admirals, works his butt off shift after shift game after game, has been a great penalty killer, and is probably unlucky to not have actually produced offensive numbers considering his partnership with Frédérick Gaudreau has been so good. Whether it’s winning faceoffs in the defensive zone, getting the Admirals out of an offensive rut by getting the cycling game working in the attacking zone to tilt the ice, it has been Girard really doing a lot of very positive grunt work that has shined out of several less than stellar individual performances from more high profile talents that were expected to hit the ice and steal the show. Girard isn’t a Kevin Fiala type who can dangle through a defense and score a spectacular goal but he’s a table-setter for other forwards to follow up his shift with a work rate that is equal to what he’s delivering. Unfortunately not many have done such so far. And I think that’s what makes Girard’s work stand out even more.
There are of course other options for the statistically inclined: Colton Sissons, 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists)… Vladislav Kamenev, 4 points (4 goals, 0 assists)… and Viktor Arvidsson, 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and 15 shots on goal in 3 games. In a not so statistical option, an Admirable Mention if you will, Jimmy Oligny was also quite good in October and probably the best defenseman in the opening month.
~Admiral of the Month Award~
October: Félix Girard
Who do you feel was the Milwaukee Admirals top performer during the month of October? Was it Girard, Sissons, Kamenev, Oligny, or someone else?
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Despite a goal by Colton Sissons only a minute into the game the Admirals would crumble in the second period before a frenzied finish saw them lose in overtime tonight in Iowa. (Photo Credit: Ted Sandeen // Iowa Wild)
The Admirals lost 3-2 in overtime on the road against the Iowa Wild Saturday night. The now typical late game theatrics required by the Admirals to get something out of a game actually paid off with Max Görtz scoring in the final minute to force overtime. Unfortunately, penalties in overtime would cost the Admirals the extra point tonight.
For the first time in seven periods of hockey the Admirals had themselves a lead in regulation. Viktor Arvidsson was skating back up along the right wing wall and towards the blue line when he delivered a perfect shot pass, between Brady Brassart and Tyson Strachan, that hit the breaking Colton Sissons on the tape for his second goal of the season.
The rare Admirals lead in regulation would only last 24:09 of ice time before the Wild tied the game up at 1-1. The Ads were trapped in their defensive zone and could not get a clearance. This eventually cost them as a Matt Carey shot led to a rebound goal scored by Brett Sutter that squeaked past Marek Mazanec for his first goal of the season.
Speaking of first goals, the second period also saw the first goal scored by defenseman Joe Finley since 10/23/12 when he was a member of the Rochester Americans. The 6’8” defenseman hammered a slap shot off the left point over the glove hand of Mazanec and underneath the crossbar to make it a 2-1 Wild lead with 8:26 remaining in the second period.
With the third period ticking past, and the Admirals not finding the back of the net despite outshooting the Wild 17-2 in the period, it looked to be time for the extra attacker and empty net drama to unfold once more. Mazanec was making his way to the bench for just that when Max Görtz blasted a one-timer for his first pro goal in North America.
The game went to overtime and that’s when discipline went out the window. A puck hopped up on Conor Allen’s stick while he was on the attacking blue line. This sent Brady Brassart off to the races on a breakaway but Allen caught him with a slash on the backcheck. Shortly into the Admirals penalty kill Anthony Bitetto took a crosschecking major and a game misconduct that assured the rest of overtime would be played on a Wild power-play. With the five-on-three power-play ending the Wild got their game winner in overtime through Mike Reilly’s second goal of the season.
This was another game in which the Admirals seemed to fall flat and get overwhelmed by their own mistakes. It shouldn’t be special seeing the Admirals leading in regulation but it is becoming a rare feat. It’s actually more common to see the Admirals score an equalizing goal around two minutes or later in regulation than it is for them to be ahead in a game. The chances were there for them. They had six power-plays and didn’t get anything from them.
Tip of the cap to former Admirals netminder, Smith. His season low for shots faced in a game this season is thirty-nine. Every single game this season, past that, has been in the forty-plus shots range including tonight. He made a phenomenal save that denied Kevin Fiala his long awaited first goal of the season. And, at that point in the game, could have really lifted the spirits for the Admirals. It would have been a 2-0 Admirals lead at the end of the first period. They’ve barely led at all this season. To think of what a two-goal cushion might have done to their confidence out on the ice could have been a big boost for more than just tonight’s game. Instead, Smith made the ridiculous desperation save and the Admirals come away with a single point. That being said, they did come away with a single point on the night as opposed to nothing.
Ramblings: Prior to tonight’s game, Milwaukee Admirals center Vladislav Kamenev was suspended by the AHL for two games due to his boarding incident Thursday night against Manitoba Moose winger Matt Fraser. Tonight’s lines for the Admirals were: Arvidsson-Sissons-Fiala, Åberg-Gaudreau-Payerl, Moses-Reinhart-Bass, Devane-Girard-Görtz, Näkyvä-Aronson, Allen-Oligny, Alm-Bitetto. Marek Mazanec started in net for the third straight game. With Kamenev serving the first of his two game suspension the lone scratch for the Admirals was defenseman Trevor Murphy.
What is your reaction to this latest of a long line of games played by the Admirals where they are trailing late in a game? What happened in overtime? Will Bitetto be the next man suspended by the AHL? What must change from tonight’s game to the next game against these exact same Iowa Wild next Thursday?
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Vladislav Kamenev has been leading the way for the Admirals offensively to start the season. They will now be without him for these next two games in Iowa due to suspension. (Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)
The AHL has just announced that Milwaukee Admirals center Vladislav Kamenev has been suspended for the next two games in connection to his boarding incident that took place Thursday night against the Manitoba Moose.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced that Milwaukee Admirals center Vladislav Kamenev has been suspended for two (2) games as a consequence of a boarding incident in a game vs. Manitoba on Oct. 29.
Kamenev was suspended under the provisions of AHL Rule 28.1 (supplementary discipline). He will miss Milwaukee’s games tonight (Oct. 31) and Thursday (Nov. 5) at Iowa.
In addition, Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Tyler Bertuzzi and Toronto Marlies center Sam Carrick have been suspended pending the league’s review of their actions during a game between their teams on Oct. 30.
As I made mention in the Game Recap on Thursday – I didn’t really get a good look at the incident as it happened. The AHL reviewing the play evidently has and saw fit to slap a two-game suspension on Kamenev. The only thing I saw at the time was that Matt Fraser was down and hurt badly enough that the trainer and two teammates needed to escort him off the ice – and that players in Manitoba blue were not happy with the Russian centerman. Fraser didn’t return to the game and he also did not play yesterday when the Moose played against the Chicago Wolves.
With Kamenev suspended these next two games, both road games for the Admirals against the Iowa Wild, it would seem likely that Jamie Devane comes in on the wing and either Cody Bass or Frédérick Gaudreau setup at center. My guess would be Bass assumes the center role while Kamenev is out. You do hope this isn’t something that hangs over the head of the young Russian and also doesn’t become the start of any sort of bad reputation against him. Not having witnessed the play or been privileged to see a replay I can’t assign how bad the hit was. I leave that up to the officials and the AHL. And this is what they’ve judged to be appropriate punishment.
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The last time the Milwaukee Admirals took a road trip to Iowa they did it with Max Görtz and Pontus Åberg staying in Milwaukee due to a violation of team rules. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
Tonight the Milwaukee Admirals get their first repeat opponent of the season. In fact, they’ll have faced these Iowa Wild three times out of the Admirals first eight games of the season. Not only that but all three of those games are roadies to Iowa. Sort of an odd scheduling situation there but one I’m sure the Admirals would rather motor through earlier in the season that the end. It is a heck of a bus ride after all.
“Either way we’re going to be on that bus,” said Colton Sissons after the Admirals loss on Thursday. “It’ll be fine. It’s a long season, man. We’re going to be fine. We’ll have a good attitude when we wake up [Friday], have a bus ride to Des Moines, and it’s going to be one of a few of those this year.”
Correct you are, captain. The Admirals play the Wild eight times this season with four road games. After next Thursday’s game the Admirals won’t see the Wild again until the calendar flips to 2016, January 9th. And they will only have one more Iowa bus trip to take care of for the rest of the season. That game comes March 13th at the end of a three-in-three… good for you, not for us.
As far as this game goes there’s only so much to discuss that hadn’t already been touched upon when we first met this season. I could do a break down of that specific game – but you could read the Game Recap or Ramblings that followed. Biggest changes that have happened really is that the Admirals, potential team violations for this Iowa trip pending, will have: Max Görtz, Viktor Arvidsson, Pontus Åberg, and Anthony Bitetto.
The Wild have a record of 2-5-1-1 (6 points) entering tonight’s game. They have two more points than the Admirals and have played three more games but, thank you California teams and your nonsense, the percentage points standings have these two teams deadlocked in the Central Division at 0.333%. The result tonight will push one ahead. And, honestly, it might already be time for the Admirals to get that percentage to start looking better as it will be dictating the standings this season.
Since these two last met, the Wild’s roster has seen some changes. Both Olivier Archambault and Tanner Eberle (Jordan‘s brother) were sent from Iowa (AHL) to the Quad City Mallards (ECHL). The counter move to that saw Kellan Lain be promoted from Quad City and Andrew Yogan, who took part in the Admirals pre-season training camp in Milwaukee, signed a PTO contract with the Wild. Yogan’s season started with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) where he played only one games but recorded 3 assists.
Expectations for tonight’s game? Do you think that the Admirals can get and maintain a lead or will this be yet another comeback job?
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Viktor Arvidsson recorded 10 shots on goal last night all by himself. That’s more than half of what the entire team produced on opening night against the Chicago Wolves. (Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)
I left last night’s game with a really numb feeling as it relates to the overall performance of the Milwaukee Admirals. The third period was unbelievable. The Admirals were rallying while down 3-2 and responded by earning three trips to the power-play which probably helped in the 18-4 shots on goal margin that they produced all while gunning for that equalizer.
That’s probably where the numb feeling seeps in. That equalizing goal never happened. All that outstanding work late went for naught because the game concluded at the end of regulation with the Moose winning 3-2. Yes, there were some problem areas within the game – most of which concluded in the goals the Moose score – but I’m left feeling as though there were more positives than there were negatives. The Admirals did everything right late but couldn’t find the breakthrough. That’s a credit to the Moose and a tip of the cap on their defense on making scoring chances difficult to come by and the ones that found Connor Hellebuyck easy to deal with.
A big problem that needs to be answered though is the way the Admirals can’t get out in front. The Admirals have now played six-games and have only led for 21:14 of ice time. The entirety of that lead came from the Admirals 4-2 loss at home to the Rockford IceHogs. Stevie Moses scored five-minutes into the first period and, on the flip side of the second period, they conceded before surrendering the lead all-together less than three minutes after that. It’s not really been until these last few games when their backs are up against the wall when they’re switching their brains off, playing more instinctive, more desperate, and firing shots to the net. The first three games: 76 shots on goal – outshot by their opponents 34- 28 in the third period. The last three games: 113 shots on goal – outshooting their opponents 40-21. The same urgency seen from the Admirals to salvage a result needs to be shown early on. You’re only going to win so many games when you pull the goalie and bring out the extra attacker.
After tonight’s game I spoke with Admirals head coach Dean Evason. I also spoke with captain Colton Sissons and winger Viktor Arvidsson to hear their reactions to the loss to the Manitoba Moose. Here is what they had to say.
The Admirals were unable to repeat their late heroics Thursday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Manitoba Moose were able to hold off forty-one shots on goal attempted by the Admirals and held to their 3-2 third period lead until the final horn sounded. It was Manitoba’s first win of the season and first since returning to the AHL.
“Frustrating game tonight,” said Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason. “Frustrating starts. And it’s on us. Coaches we got to get them ready to play and start better. It’s disappointing, frustrating because all three of the goals against are structural stuff. The two even strength goals are read the rush. Everyone is marked. We just stopped skating and don’t do what we’re supposed to do.”
It wouldn’t take long for the lowest scoring team in the AHL to take a 1-0 lead. Only twenty-three seconds into the game and a passing play off the right wing through the neutral zone teed up former Milwaukee Admirals forward Matt Hallischuk for his first goal of the season and first as a member of the Moose.
Admirable Mention. Adam Payerl tried to drop the gloves with Julian Melchiori shortly after the opening goal by the Moose. At the very least I think everyone appreciated the effort.
Not long after the scrap there was an injury timeout. Matt Fraser was down in a heap in the Admirals right wing attacking corner. In truth, I did not see the incident and how Fraser was injured on the play but it was clear that Vladislav Kamenev commanded the attention of one or more Moose players after the whistle came to get the trainer out on the ice. Both Scott Kosmachuk and John Albert helped Fraser off the ice.
Following an interference call against Anthony Bitetto the Moose were able to score seven-seconds into their power-play to make it a 2-0 lead six-minutes into the first period. The play looked oh-so simple as Chase De Leo’s quick feed to Joel Armia dinked off his stick and into an empty net. The screen on Marek Mazanec had him looking the completely wrong direction. The goal scored by Armia was his second of the season.
The Admirals would respond with a power-play goal of their own a little over two-minutes later. Kevin Fiala dangled on the puck for a little bit before zipping over to the left wing faceoff dot where Viktor Arvidsson hammered a one-timer in and out of Connor Hellebuyck’s net faster than you can type Hellebuyck. The goal for Arvidsson was his first of the season in an Admirals sweater. He scored his first career NHL goal on opening night for the Nashville Predators.
With 3:09 remaining in the first period the Admirals were able to comeback from an early 2-0 hole to tie things up. Bitetto was able to throw a puck to team captain Colton Sissons who delivered a beautiful backhand pass in front of a sliding Andrew MacWilliam and Hellebuyck in net – and right to the tape of Stevie Moses for a tap in. Fantastic passing play that all ended with Moses second goal of the season.
The second period saw a much better hockey fight. This time the duo dropping the gloves were Cody Bass and Darren Kramer. There were some really big shots thrown, some landed, and it finished with Bass on top of Kramer for the win in the fight department.
Prior to the halfway point in this game the Moose regained the lead. Armia used Johan Alm as a screen as he threw a puck from the right wing on net. Mazanec attempted to push the rebound off to the left wing wall but ended up finding Brenden Kichton instead. After a quick shot it was 3-2 Moose from Kichton’s second goal of the season.
With 1:21 remaining in the game the Admirals burned their timeout and went empty net and extra attacker on with an in-zone faceoff coming. Sadly, this familiar song was given a remix with the Ads unable to pull off the late theatrics on the night. For all their work they posted forty-one shots on goal but were unable to get the third tally that would have earned them at least a point and a chance at more.
“Our desperation can’t be the last five minutes of the game and it can’t be the last minute when we pull the goaltender,” said Evason. “Our desperation has to be the first minute of the hockey game.”
Ramblings: This was the first meeting between the Milwaukee Admirals and Manitoba Moose since 3/5/11 when the Admirals lost 4-2 at home. There have been no roster moves made by the Admirals since they last played on Tuesday night. There were also no roster moves made by the Moose prior to this game since they last played on Saturday. Tonight’s Admirals lineup was identical to the one that played on Tuesday night. That meant both Trevor Murphy and Jamie Devane were healthy scratches. Noteworthy news mention for former-Admirals forward Rich Clune who today signed an official NHL contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs (1 year deal worth $575,000 NHL // $350,000 AHL). Clune had previously been signed to an AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies where he had scored 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) with 18 penalty minutes in 8 games.
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“Oh my God, we’re back again. Brothers, sisters, everybody sing.” (Photo Credit: Scott Billeck // MyToba.ca)
A very happy hello and welcome back to the Manitoba Moose. When the Milwaukee Admirals last played the Moose it was 3/5/11. The Admirals lost that game at home 4-2. Mark Dekanich started in net for the Admirals against the Moose’s Tyler Weiman – as Eddie Läck sat on the bench. Your goal scorers on the night were: Sergei Shirokov, Grant Lewis, Yann Sauvé, Guillaume Desbiens, Ryan Flynn, and Cody Hodgson. The only returning name that played in that game is Scott Ford – who is now an assistant coach for the Admirals.
The Admirals never played the Moose under the past banner as the St. John’s IceCaps. You’d expect that from the matter of different conferences and what not. About the only connection you could make, going mad scientist here, is that the Moose became the IceCaps and that both Colton Sissons and Pontus Åberg played in St. John’s barn for the 2014 AHL All Star Classic. They actually played against one-another that night. So, the Moose housed that… sort of.. not really.
~Mooooooooooooose~
The Moose enter tonight’s game with a record of 0-4-1-1 (2 points) and last played on Saturday night when they were shutout by the Lake Erie Monsters, 2-0. Are you feeling better about the Admirals situation now?
If there is any offense in the AHL struggling more than the Moose I’d hate to watch the game footage. The stats do not lie. The Moose have produced a league low 7 goals from 6 games. Frank Vatrano of the Providence Bruins and Devin Shore of the Texas Stars each, as individuals, have scored more goals than the Moose have as a team. Heck, even Vladislav Kamenev on an Admirals offense that is slowly getting it going has scored 4 goals in 5 games.
With such a stagnant offense it’s no surprise that the team leaders in that category aren’t blowing anyone away. Defenseman Brenden Kichton leads the Moose in scoring with 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) while fellow defenseman Jay Harrison leads the team in goal scoring with a hefty 2 goals on this season. And it’s not as if they don’t have the players to produce, either. Matt Halischuk, Matt Fraser, Thomas Raffl, Patrice Cormier, John Albert, and Chase De Leo are all on the roster. It’s kind of head scratching. Like, first two games of the Admirals season itchy scalp levels of “what’s going on here?”
What can get overlooked in the Moose’s record and lack of offense so far is how good both Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie have performed in net. Hellebuyck was a rock for the IceCaps last season as a first-year pro: 58 games, 28-22-5-1 record, 2.58 goals against average, 0.921 save percentage, and 6 shutouts. This season he has a 2.48 goals against average and 0.927 save percentage from 4 starts – which includes a heartbreaking overtime loss that saw him lose a shutout bid while carrying 44 saves with only 21 seconds remaining. His batterymate Comrie is experiencing his first full-season of pro hockey this year and, in 2 starts, he has impressed: 1.94 goals against average, 0.945 save percentage, and -like Hellebuyck- was a tough luck loser in overtime with an impressive amount of saves (39) on the night.
I suppose what this game can boil down to is that both offenses aren’t entirely where they want to be right now. The plus side for Manitoba: their goaltending has been incredibly good. The plus side for the Admirals: their offense unloaded with shots on target last game and might just be set to bury some of those chances. The Admirals are also starting to string together some consistent games. By that I mean, the schedule is actually mapping out great for them so they can carry the momentum of last game’s comeback effort -rest up yesterday- and take on the next opponent immediately. The Moose have been stationary from being shutout since Saturday night at home. They’ve made the trek from Manitoba to Milwaukee and could have a bit more lag in their style of play in the opening waves of play than the Admirals will show. This could setup to be a continuation of events for the Admirals finish from last time out but it really does depend on if that Moose offense wakes up or not. It’s that aspect that will make this game.
Expectations for tonight’s game? It’s been such a long time since we’ve seen the Manitoba Moose: do you happen to have any fond memories of an Admirals/Moose game? Would you reward Marek Mazanec with a start tonight for his efforts on Tuesday? Would you really be at all surprised if the Admirals roll out the exact same lineup that played Tuesday or would you make a change with Trevor Murphy or Jamie Devane coming back in for someone else?
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Marek Mazanec didn’t get anywhere near the same amount of heat in-game as John Muse did but, when it mattered in the shootout, he sealed the deal on a big Admirals comeback victory. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
Where, oh where do we even begin? The Milwaukee Admirals managed to perform yet another third period comeback that resulted in a win. First it was with the Iowa Wild in a 3-2 overtime finish. This time it was the Texas Stars and it went all the way to a 4-3 shootout. On both occasions the Admirals scored with the net empty and the extra attacker on to equalize late. And in only the Admirals first five games of this season they have already matched last season’s total for wins when trailing when entering the third period.
Do yourself a favor and re-read that first paragraph over again, please. Because those are a lot of positives considering the Admirals were in doom and gloom mode with only the one win from four games. It could have just as easily been one win out of five while dropping three home games as well. But it didn’t happen. And the reason why it didn’t happen is another ping on the pulse monitor of the Admirals for this season. As is the offense going head-to-head with an “on paper” more high powered offensive machine and outshooting them 47-28 on the night.
It would be easy to point back on the Admirals comeback win against Iowa and then saying, “but they still didn’t win or look better against Rockford the next game.” The reality is that Iowa game was a real turning point for the Admirals starting to play more like a team and less like individuals. They lost the Rockford game, true, but they still looked way better that the first two games. In fact, the Admirals had the game tied 2-2 and went on to lose off an awkward puck that kicked up off Vladislav Kamenev‘s stick, off Ryan Hartman‘s knee, into the neutral zone, and sent Marko Dano off to the races. That game could have just as easily spilled into overtime and, at the very least, the Ads are looking at earning a point minimum. Last night the Admirals had another bad bounce with the goal for Julius Honka that made it 3-1 in the third period but they proceeded to push and push the Stars into three power-play chances that lead to two power-play goals that sent the game into overtime. The off switch was never hit and the Admirals motor was easily in its best working order this season. This was essentially the same team that put up 41 shots on goal in the first two games and last night that was the amount of saves John Muse had to make to survive the Admirals offense. That’s an incredible turn-around and one that I really hope sets the tone for the team from here on out.
The game, as you can imagine, isn’t without its faults. I think the Admirals simply need to look at their work in the neutral zone as their biggest weakness right now as a team. Passes are at their worst. Players are skating into one-another. And all the mistakes get gobbled up and turned into offense the other way. If the Admirals penalty kill can go from the way it did on opening night to looking as smooth as it did last night – this neutral zone // disaster zone area of the ice can also get cleaned up. The more effective the Admirals can be at moving the puck through neutral the less counter attack hockey they’ll need to worry about defending.
Kamenev’s night was also a real impressive one and was so all from it’s sheer simplicity. He was just about always in the right place at the right time. And that is not a coincidence. Much like how I’ve been impressed by the early work of Félix Girard and Frédérick Gaudreau, what makes Kamenev’s game work so well right now is that he’s not going out when it’s his shift to do anything over the top or to deke through two players at a pop. Rather, he goes about his business, grinds hard on the boards, gets to the front of the net, and takes whatever the defense gives him. The result is 5 points (4 goals, 1 assist) in five games. The moniker “keep it simple, stupid” has never looked so good.
After the game I spoke with Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason. I also was able to chat with Marek Mazanec, Colton Sissons, and Anthony Bitetto to hear their reactions on the game. Here is what they had to say:
Added Point. I very much love Evason’s response to last night’s attendance. While the crowd wasn’t actually 200 people – it was actually 2058 – Evason’s approach is dead on. Plus, he’s also right. The fans that still showed up despite the schedule change were the diehards. They were still loud. Even better, the ones that didn’t pack up and leave when the Stars made it 3-1 were treated to a comeback win. Diehard fandom pays off and that’s probably why the noise of the crowd when the Admirals equalizes and won were still paid off with a salute to the crowd by the team despite the size of the crowd.
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Vladislav Kamenev’s two-goal night helped fire up yet another late Milwaukee Admirals comeback. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
The cardiac kids were at it again on Tuesday night. The Milwaukee Admirals rallied in the third period from a 3-1 deficit to force overtime in the final seconds and go on to defeat the Texas Stars 4-3 in a shootout.
“We deserved to win that hockey game,” said Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason. “Clearly we would like to win in a different fashion as opposed to both our victories coming off of pulled goalie and scoring a goal. We’d like to find different ways to win those two hockey games. But our guys played so hard. To not get rewarded tonight would have been really hard to swallow.”
The high powered Stars offense got the scoring started in the first period after a neutral zone turnover by the Admirals teed up a counter attack. A pass to Pontus Åberg ended up getting caught in his skates and wrangled up by the Stars. With the rush breaking towards net both Conor Allen and Jimmy Oligny were closing in on the puck carrier Matej Stransky who would drop off a pass back to Jason Dickinson. The slot was wide open as he ripped a wrister past the blocker side of Marek Mazanec to score his first career pro goal.
In the second period the Admirals got their breakthrough from the power-play. Greg Rallo lofted up a backhander into the seats and allowed the Ads to get their fourth crack on the power-play. Kevin Fiala’s wristed effort from the right wing faceoff circle hit traffic in front of John Muse in net. Luckily for the Admirals Vladislav Kamenev was the first man to react to the loose puck and he smacked home his third goal of the season.
“Hockey IQ is a universal language,” said Colton Sissons of teammate Vladislav Kamenev. “You don’t need to speak the same language on the ice. He just sees the game so well. He’s a nice player to watch. He’s going to be a good player for many years.”
The Admirals attack really intensified following the power-play goal but was short lived when Conor Allen was called for a slash in the Admirals attacking zone. This allowed for the Stars to answer right back with a power-play goal of their own. Brendan Ranford passed left wing to right wing where Stars captain Travis Morin waited on his forehand shot and beat Mazanec high blocker side to record his second goal of the season.
Early into the third period the Stars were able to get a two goal cushion off of a long range shot by Julius Honka. The point shot was taken from the blue line all the way back by the Admirals bench. Honka’s shot appeared to get past Mazanec with an assist to the big screen on front of him set by Morin rushing across from the right wing and Taylor Aronson guarding the crease. The goal for Honka is his first of the season.
After successive power-play chances the Admirals cashed in from a tripping call against Ranford with a second power-play goal of the night for Kamenev. The Russian setup shop in front of the goal crease and threw a five hole shot on Muse. If it didn’t go in direct from the shot he made sure to stuff it across the line for his fourth goal of the season.
With the Admirals in desperation mode in the final minute of the game, the Stars had a chance to deliver on an empty net bid the neutral zone but missed wide of the cage. Fiala was first man to the puck and darted behind the net to start a rush back up ice but was hauled down by Remi Elie. The tripping call allowed for an Admirals power-play with the extra attacker with 22.9 seconds remaining in the contest. With Fiala on the trigger and bodies lined up in front of the net it was captain Colton Sissons scoring with five-seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 3-3 on his first goal of the season.
“I saw [Fiala] shoot it and I was just kind of waving my stick like a wand at it just to try to get a piece,” said Sissons. “Fortunately I tipped it up into the upper half of the net and, sometimes, you get bounces that you deserve.”
The Admirals were pushing the pace in overtime with a near hat trick chance for Kamenev and a power-play that lasted to the end of the extra frame. Nothing would come from five-minutes of three-on-three hockey and this game went to a shootout. Round 1: Moses stopped by a glove save, Ranford stopped on a backhand attempt. Round 2: Fiala scores after snapping a nasty wrister off the far post and in, Devin Shore scored after skating wide right and scoring forehand glove-side on Mazanec. Round 3: Kamenev stopped on a backhanded attempt, Jesse Blacker denied on a five-hole shot. Round 4: Frédérick Gaudreau zips a puck past Muse stick side, Justin Dowling stopped from a flashy glove stop from Mazanec for the win.
The Admirals only had two comeback victories when trailing in the third period all last season. They’ve claimed two comeback wins in the third period twice from five games this season. The Texas Stars are an offensive machine and the Admirals were able to outshoot them 47-28 on the night. It was more than just a good win. It might have finally been the awakening of the 2015-16 Admirals.
Ramblings: Since the Milwaukee Admirals last played: Viktor Arvidsson was reassigned to the Admirals (AHL) from the Nashville Predators (NHL), Miikka Salomäki was recalled from the Admirals to the Predators, and Max Görtz was recalled to the Admirals from the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL). Entering tonight’s game the Admirals had lost the last six straight games against the Stars. Their last win against them was nearly two-years ago back on 10/30/13 when the Admirals won at home 3-2 in overtime. Tonight’s game will henceforth be known as “The Amy Schumer Game” as her show is what caused the rescheduling of this game from 12/4/15. Tonight’s scratches for the Admirals were Trevor Murphy (healthy) and Jamie Devane (healthy).
Reaction to tonight’s game? What are your early impressions of Vladislav Kamenev? How did you feel Marek Mazanec performed in net tonight? And can the Admirals carry this sort of a performance directly into Thursday night’s game against the Manitoba Moose?
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Görtz played in the Admirals opening two games of the season and registered an assist on a Miikka Salomäki goal on the home opener. Afterwards, he along with fellow Swede Pontus Åberg were slapped with violating team rules and did not travel with the Admirals to Iowa for the third game of the season. Görtz was then assigned to the Cyclones of the ECHL in an effort to log more minutes.
How did Görtz do in his ECHL stint, you ask? He played just a single game, registered 2 shots on goal, wasn’t on the ice for any of the goals forced or allowed, and the Cyclones won 4-1. Perhaps Görtz ends up moving back to the Cyclones depending on how long Salomäki stays with the Predators – and for however long Viktor Arvidsson is staying with the Admirals for that matter. For now though, the Admirals do have an option at forward now with someone getting scratched tonight. I’d find it a touch odd if that man is Görtz considering they make this move today and the object was to get him playing time in Cincinnati – who next play Friday. It will be interesting to see what Dean Evason rolls with tonight. Speculation from me: why not put Görtz in the lineup over Jamie Devane? The Ads are going to need all the offensive firepower they have at their disposal tonight.
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