Author: Daniel Lavender

Game Recaps

Admirals Winning Streak Ends At Four
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Francis Wathier made his Milwaukee Admirals debut tonight but he did so in a 3-2 defeat to the Iowa Wild. (Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)

The Admirals lost 3-2 against the Iowa Wild Wednesday night. The visitors jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and were able to defend it from there on out – despite goals from Miikka Salomaki and Joe Piskula. The loss for the Admirals ends a four-game winning streak.

“[The Wild] played with desperation,” said Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason. “They started the game the right way. We did not start the game the right way. We were not ready to play that game and that is on us.”

There is no secret that the Wild did not want a repeat of their last encounter in Milwaukee. They were able to deny the Admirals a hot start – and much more. They skated off after the first period with a 3-0 lead.

With a four-on-four situation, the Wild were able to get numbers on Charles-Olivier Roussel behind his own net and create a turnover that spilled out to the glove side of Marek Mazanec. Brett Bulmer’s initial shot attempted wasn’t doing – but his follow up effort, from his belly, elevated over Mazanec’s blocker and in for his eleventh goal of the season.

Then came the first of two power-play goals by the Wild in the first period. Both goals were rather identical. The goal from Zack Phillips, his eleventh of the season, was scored on Mazanec’s glove side following a wing-to-wing pass by Brad Winchester.

Their next power-play goal was the same story. It was a wing-to-wing pass that finished on Mazanec’s glove side. Kris Foucault set up Stephane Veilleux’s fifth goal of the season to make it a 3-0 first period lead for the Wild.

“We didn’t have desperation,” said Evason. “Is it because we scored all these goals as of late and all of the sudden we think we’re goal scorers? We tried to talk to them about simplifying our game and doing what we do but I don’t know. We’ll address it tomorrow. We’ll watch the tape. We didn’t play a fast hockey game tonight and they did.”

The Admirals were able to get on the board in the second period after a hope and a prayer shot from Miikka Salomaki. The puck was skipping into the left wing corner and Salomaki instantly tossed the puck on net from the red line – almost the Potawatomi graphic outside the trapezoid. John Curry was just getting back in net and the puck beat him to the blocker-side post and in for Salomaki’s fifteenth goal of the season.

In the third period the Admirals were able to make it a one goal game on the strength of a Joe Piskula bomb from the blue line. The Ads were able to win an in-zone face off – Piskula picked up the puck – waited for a shooting lane to open up – and blammo. He was able to zip a shot glove side of Gustafsson for his third goal of the season.

With 1:57 remaining in the game the Ads had a late power-play following a delay of game penalty by Marc Hagel. The pressure throughout the period was great from the Ads, owning the shots on goal in the frame 16-3, but the Wild defense was that much better.

With the man-advantage. With the net empty and the extra attacker on. The Admirals were just not able to get that final goal to force overtime. The Wild escaped the late pressure from the Ads to win 3-2 – holding on to that first period surge – and ending the four-game winning streak for Milwaukee.

“We’ve had a lot of success, as of late, against them on the power-play,” said Taylor Beck. “So, whether they learned from it a little bit and did some things different, we had good looks. I don’t think we can be too upset with the looks that we had it is just cashing in a bit more.”

Ramblings: Zach Budish was called up just prior to tonight’s game. He played on a line with Francis Wathier centered by Mark Van Guilder. Tonight’s scratches were all due to injury: Patrick Cehlin (upper body), Simon Moser (upper body), Joonas Jarvinen (upper body), and Magnus Hellberg (lower body).

Thoughts from tonight’s game? Where was the energy in the first period for the Admirals? Is the lack of Colton Sissons something that heavily detracts from what this team did during the four-game winning streak?

News

Man With Big Head Recalled To Milwaukee
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This is Zach Budish. He has a big head. Come see it tonight in action as the Admirals take on the Iowa Wild. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

It was hinted about by Dean Evason in yesterday’s Chatterbox and it has been worked out just in time for tonight’s game against the Iowa Wild. Zach Budish has been recalled by the Milwaukee Admirals from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.

Budish has played in 39 games with the Admirals and produced 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists) while taking 22 penalty minutes and displaying a plus/minus of +5. Just about two weeks ago he was reassigned to Cincinnati. He has played in 6 games with the Cyclones of the ECHL and has 2 assists, 2 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of -4.

Should he fit into place with yesterday’s line combinations – it would mean playing on the right wing on a line with Francis Wathier that is centered by Mark Van Guilder. Sounds like a rather shibby checking line with the addition of Big Head.

Audio, The Origin of Big Head:

How do you feel Zach Budish will fair playing up on the third line with Van Guilder and Wathier?

Scouting

Wild: Scouting the Enemy
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The last time the Milwaukee Admirals met the Iowa Wild – Corbin Baldwin made himself a lightning rod of hate. Mike Liambas (twice) and Scott Ford (once) were up to the task of putting him soundly in his place alongside a 9-1 beatdown on the scoreboard. (Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)

Remember the last time we played these chums? It was just about the most clinical game of the entire season for the Milwaukee Admirals. They won by a final score of 9-1 and, for all intensive purposes, the game wasn’t even remotely close.

So what happened in that game that worked so well for the Admirals and allowed for them to finally break out of that five-game winless streak? Was the Pekka Rinne effect all it took? Bah, nonsense. His night was rather tame. Plus, he didn’t score a single goal! In truth – you can tell much from something as easy as that highlight reel from that game.

Hannu Toivonen may have been thrown into the fire far too quickly, having signed a PTO deal with the Wild a mere two-days prior to the game, but it was his defense in front of him that left him completely helpless.

Goal #1. The opener from Colton Sissons may have come from a power-play – but watch the four-man penalty kill box in front of the net the moment the puck falls to Vinny Saponari. Every single player in green is locked into the puck carrier and no one else (a theme that will repeat itself a fair bit). Sissons was standing directly on the door step and only needed a pass to a tap in.

Goal #2. Very similar play to the opening goal – save for the fact this one was on even strength. Taylor Beck receives a pass behind the goal line, scoots behind the cage, and -once again- all green jerseys are fixated on the puck carrier. How else could the noted goal scorer Joonas Jarvinen get so wide open in the circles? It wasn’t until that puck left Beck’s stick when Brett Bulmer even realized Jarvinen was all alone and charging down the slot.

Goal #3. You won’t be able to see him do it on the video – but I was watching Bryan “Thunderdome” Rodney as he set this play up. There were four Wild players trapped deep beyond the right wing face off circle with one man standing guard in the slot. All players were trying to trap Patrick Cehlin into an empty space. What they forgot was that other players were on the ice, with skates, and brains – and Rodney swooped around the zone from his typical right defensive spot all the way over to the left wing. He was all alone. He just needed the pass. He got the pass. And again the Wild burnt themselves by focusing too much on the puck carrier.

Goal #4. This was the first true goal scored in the game where you might be able to wag the finger at poor ol’ Hannu. It was a massive rebound to give up on the Miikka Salomaki shot – much worse where he kicked it out to – and who he kicked it out to. Still, when you look at those boys in green again, there were three jerseys giving up the slot for Austin Watson to be in the perfect place for just such a rebound: one behind the net – two hugging the sides of the net – and two far too deep from the action to deny Watson time and space. I believe the technical term used to describe such a play is called fubar.

Goal #5. Alrighty, this was one where you can let up on all parties involved. Sissons wins the face off. Joe Piskula corrals the puck… waits… shoots… and the puck wires through plenty of traffic. Was there anything more that the Wild could have done on this play besides win the face off?

Goal #6. This came from a four-on-four scenario and again featured Jarvinen doing something a little left field. With the extra space on the ice Jarvinen moved from the point, attacked Zack Phillips, held backhander, and the Wild gave him the slot to skate down. Just prior to the shot – Zach Miskovic abandons Watson in front of the goal to challenge him to shoot. By doing that he screened Toivonen’s sight to the puck as Jarvinen elevated it on the backhand. Toivonen never left the ice on the shot.

Goal #7. This was one where you could probably pin the damage on Toivonen who, at this point, was in a mad scramble to attack any and all shooters racing down the zone – probably because he felt exposed in net. On Scott Valentine‘s first goal of the season – Toivonen aggressively tried to close an angle towards the near post. Valentine had plenty of room to shoot at to the far post – but it still meant shooting against the grain, lefty shot from the far right wing, to beat him to that post. And, well, he did.

Goal #8. This was a combination of the opening goal from Sissons, scored on the power-play, and the Watson goal. A pass attempt from Saponari hit the skate of Carson McMillan. As it hits off of him most Wild players are looking up ice – and then nearly all of the spin around backwards. Tyler Cuma was just about the lone Wild player on the ice who followed where he went. His problem was his spinning tap away of the puck… directly to Mark Van Guilder in front of the net. Fubar.

Goal #9. The final goal of the game was a shorthanded variety for Joonas Rask with a massive assist to Charles-Olivier Roussel. I don’t know where the full blame can be pinned on from this play. Shorthanded goals should never happen if you ask me. When they do – typically the numbers being used on the extra skater are being used too aggressively. Add that with a crafty lead pass by Roussel that found Rask in a battle for ice with Jonathon Blum (insert punchline here) – and you have the breakaway from an Admiral penalty kill. I still find that no celebration gesture by Rask – classy.

So what does all of this mean – you might ask. Well, clearly the Wild are firmly aware of these exact same breakdowns. They have been in Milwaukee for two days ahead of this game. There is undoubtedly a sense of redemption in mind with this game and I expect them to come out strong in the first period.

Sound familiar? Try the follow up game in Rockford for the Admirals where they used their opponent’s aggression against them en route to yet another rout.

This one also has a spark to it in the form of a complete and utter pesk by the name of Corbin Baldwin. He tried to do several dirty things to the Admirals during that contest which caught the eyes of Mike Liambas (twice) and Scott Ford. There is a chance we could well see some fires reignited in that regard later tonight.

For added information on what we can expect from the Milwaukee Admirals, including the newbie Francis Wathier, I suggest hitting up yesterday’s edition of The Chatterbox which included a full-wrap up from morning skate – including some line combinations I expect we should see tonight (substitute Zach Budish for Cehlin who is not going to participate in tonight’s game despite taking part in practice).

Thoughts on tonight’s game? Will the Admirals winning streak reach five-games? What sort of fireworks could we expect from this contest as it related to the last time they played?

Chatterbox

The Chatterbox, Vol. 22
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Mathieu Tousignant was jacked up during the weekend series with Rockford. He’s also pretty fired up to have a former Texas Stars teammate, Francis Wathier, joining him in Milwaukee. (Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)

This morning I trekked on in for the Admirals morning skate at the Kern Center and then had the chance to chat with the group. Before going straight into the audio – let’s go over some of the morning skate.

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Patrick Cehlin was in the forward mix of today’s morning skate. (Photo Credit: Daniel “Hashtag No Filter” Lavender)

I was very happy to see that Patrick Cehlin was on the ice with the team during practice today. He was wearing the red, assuming football logic here, no-contact jersey – but did participate a lot. He was working with Mark Van Guilder and the newbie Francis Wathier on most drills. As you will here in the audio from head coach Dean Evason later on – he is not expected to play Wednesday.

Here are the lines from today in practice:

Forsberg-Jarnkrok-Beck
Salomaki-Watson-Saponari
Wathier-Van Guilder-Cehlin
Liambas-Tousignant-Rask

Bitetto-Piskula
Valentine-Ford
Rodney-Roussel

In addition, all three goalies were in action at practice. Magnus Hellberg actually worked a bit of overtime in morning skate with goaltending coach Ben Vanderklok (who I spoke with today – and hope to provide a feature story on in the coming days). It appears Hellberg is making huge strides these last few days and could well be back in the mix soon.

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Even from my eagle’s nest at the Kern Center – Francis Wathier was one big hombre! (Photo Credit: Daniel “I’m the Doctor” Lavender)

What drove me in for today’s morning skate was seeing our new addition, Wathier, in action. In practice he swapped wings, looked comfortable on either side of Van Guilder, and is physically imposing to see skating around: 6’4″ and 210 pounds. I was a big fan of the recent checking line combo that saw Van Guilder and Watson match up with the likes of a Jeremy Morin type – and shut him down. I feel Wathier is going to be a great addition to this group in that sense and for his leadership on and off the ice.

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Whenever I wait to do interviews I tend to see this bloke, Joonas Rask, tirelessly working on his sticks. (Photo Credit: Daniel “Photo Ninja” Lavender)

Righto! I talked with Dean Evason, Francis Wathier, and Mathieu Tousignant today. Here is what they said following the morning skate.

Continue reading “The Chatterbox, Vol. 22” →

News

Former Admiral Rich Peverley Collapses in Dallas
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Rich Peverley was a member of the Milwaukee Admirals from 2005-08.

A very scary scene took place tonight in the NHL. Former-Admiral and current member of the Dallas Stars Rich Peverley collapsed on the player bench during tonight’s game between the Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets. He was rushed down the player tunnel, needed defibrillation, regained consciousness, and was taken immediately to a local hospital.

You can view the incident as it happen via Deadspin. You can tell how quickly the Stars bench acted – not only to seek treatment for Peverley but to get the game stopped. In just a matter of seconds they had him moved down the tunnel to receive emergency medical treatment. For all we know – it is the fast acting of the people on that bench, seeing him and then moving him, that could have saved his life.

The game was delayed and then postponed. Clearly, after having witnessed what they did – especially for the teammates of Peverley on the Stars, that was the correct move to be made on the part of the NHL. In no way should the game have been ressumed for two and a half more periods of play with something such as that looming over it.

Peverley was a member of the Milwaukee Admirals from 2005-08. He has played with four different NHL franchises: Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, and the Dallas Stars. Perhaps his best run came as a member of the 2010-11 Stanley Cup winning Bruins team.

It’s been well documented that Peverley has had a history of cardiac issues. He had missed the entire pre-season and opening game of the season due to an irregular heartbeat. That same issue crept up again last week and prevented him from playing in Columbus. Having felt strange following the game the night prior to that – he was unable to fly with the team. He had played in two games prior to tonight’s game – picking up three assists in the process.

Details are only just beginning to come out from tonight’s shocking incident in Dallas. Here are some quotes via Mike Heika of the Dallas News:

“As soon as he came off the ice, he collapsed,” Ruff said. “I instantly stood on the bench and started screaming up in the crowd for a doctor… I was just screaming to let the doctors know we needed somebody ASAP and they were there ASAP. I can tell you firsthand, it was an absolute marvel what they went through.”

“He was brought back to the hallway for treatment, where we treated him for a cardiac event, successfully treated with standard therapy,” said Dr. Gil Salazar of UT Southwestern, one of the doctors who treated Peverley. “As soon as we treated him, he regained consciousness. He was alert and awake talking to us after the event and quickly transported to the hospital. At this point, I was able to talk to him in the back of the ambulance and he was able to tell me where he was and he actually wanted to get back in the game.”

“We provided oxygen for him. We started an IV. We did chest compressions on him and defibrillated him, provided some electricity to bring a rhythm back to his heart, and that was successful with one attempt, which is very reassuring,” Salazar said.

“We have a specialized team that’s implemented that trains pre-season with the training staff who did a fantastic job today, and that team is made up of internal medicine doctors, orthopedic surgeons, trauma surgeons, trauma doctors, airway specialists, they’re all here to respond to incidents like this along with the Dallas Fire and Rescue paramedic staff,” Robertson said. “We train for episodes like this with the hopes that they never arise, but our ability to act today quickly for Rich is a testament to the training staff and the team approach to how we prepare for these events.”

“I had a discussion with the players first. I addressed (them), just saying a prayer for Rich and thanking God that he was OK and told them that the first thing he asked me was how much time left in the first period?” Ruff said. “That’s a typical athlete, but there’s not one guy in that room that wants to play hockey right now and I’m not there to persuade them to play. I don’t want to coach a team right now.”

I’m hoping and praying the very best for Rich Peverley, his family, and the entire Dallas Stars organization. Thanks to the fast actions of some outstanding individuals – I believe the biggest bullet in Peverley’s life may well have been successfully dodged tonight in Dallas.

News

Colton Sissons Recalled by the Predators
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In his first professional season of hockey – Colton Sissons leads the Milwaukee Admirals in points and goals. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The Milwaukee Admirals leading scorer, Colton Sissons, has been recalled by the Nashville Predators this morning and is expected to take part in tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

This is Sissons third recall of the season with the Predators. He has played in 4 games, tallied an assist in his first-career NHL game, has 2 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +2. With the Admirals this season he leads the team in points (41) and goals scored (24).

Today’s call up for Sissons also comes during an outstanding run for him and the Admirals. In the recent 4-game winning streak – he has scored 7 points (5 goals, 2 assists) – including 4 goals in the last two games against the Rockford IceHogs. Here’s hoping that translates into his first career NHL goal tonight!

I don’t know about you guys but sometimes I forget that Colton Sissons is a 20-year old in his first professional season of hockey. I also can’t help but wonder if we should expect more of this from the Predators season continues. I have to imagine they would like to give some guys looks up top – if even for a game or two.

How long do you think this recall will last for Sissons? If he is unavailable for Wednesday’s game against the Iowa Wild – who fills his spot? Would the Admirals need to recall someone from Cincinnati following some recent injury blows from the Rockford clashes?

News

Getting To Know Francis Wathier’s Fists
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Francis Wathier adds veteran experience and added muscle to an Admirals roster with their sights set on playoff hockey. (Photo Credit: Texas Stars Facebook)

Yesterday the Admirals essentially traded players via loan deals with the Texas Stars. Admirals pick up Francis Wathier – who remains under contract to the Stars. And the Stars pick up Kevin Henderson – who remains under contract to the Admirals. Both will remain with their new teams until the end of the season.

There were some quotes gathered up on Wrong Side of the Red Line by Wathier following the trade. This is what he said after the announcement of the loan deal.

“I just got the news this morning that they made the move. I was never informed or close to anything like that before (today) … I talked to the coach and GM (in Milwaukee) today and I’ll be on the first flight tonight, I’m excited. It’s a chance to reinvigorate my career and Dallas wasn’t going to be that chance.” Francis Wathier

“It was never an easy decision for any of the parties. There are a lot of good players who are vets. A breath of fresh air will be good and they don’t have a vet issue (in Milwaukee.)” Francis Wathier

By all accounts that I’ve read, the Admirals are gaining a very well respected player that has solid leadership qualities. Someone made comment with this move that it is comparable to last season’s pick up of Brad Winchester – and that’s really not a bad comparison.

I felt last season’s turning point came in three forms (1) the signing of Brad Winchester (2) re-acquiring Scott Ford from the Peoria Rivermen (3) Magnus Hellberg getting on a serious roll. These last few weeks saw the Admirals run into the ground, hit rock bottom, see Pekka Rinne turn up, Calle Jarnkrok gets added, 25 goals in a 4-game winning streak, and now a veteran looking for a breath of fresh air. This could be just another brilliant addition to the Admirals – and at the time where they can use it most: playoff push. There is a lot to be happy about from these recent games. With Jarnkrok and Wathier getting comfortable in the Admirals system things could only get better when games get more and more crucial.

To boot, if you reflect on these last two games against the Rockford IceHogs, I think Wathier will fit right into this team. Why?

Any guy who has the guts to fight Scott Ford twice – I want him on my team.

What do you think of this addition for the Admirals? Did they need some additional muscle and grit?

News

Kevin Henderson out, Francis Wathier in
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After three-seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals – Kevin Henderson is headed to the Texas Stars. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The Milwaukee Admirals and Texas Stars decided to flip loan deals today. The Admirals will be sending Kevin Henderson to the Stars – and the Stars will be sending Francis Wathier to the Admirals.

It has been a rough season for Henderson. He started the campaign off nursing an injury and has never really been able to recapture last season’s success that saw him earn his first career NHL recall and goal. Last season he played 67 games, scored 29 points (17 goals, 12 assists), 24 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +13. This season he has played in 50 games, produced 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists), recorded 14 penalty minutes, and has a plus/minus of -3.  In total with the Admirals he has played 147 games, picked up 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists), 50 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +11.

The new addition to the Admirals, Francis Wathier, has spent his entire professional career in the Stars organization. He has played in 10 games with the Dallas Stars – never recording more than 5 penalty minutes in his time up in the NHL. The 29-year old from Ontario has played in 492 career games in the AHL. During his time in this league he has amassed 185 points (87 goals, 98 assists), 639 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of -17.

I strongly encourage fans to wish Kevin “Hendo” Henderson the very best via Twitter.

UPDATE:

 

What are your reactions to this move? What do you feel Francis Wathier will add to this team?

Feature, News

Admirals and Their Warm Up Music
Sissons-AllStar
Colton Sissons has been outstanding in his first professional hockey season – but can he make you a Belieber? (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

Welp, it is an off day and it is Sunday fun day – especially following the past two games where the Milwaukee Admirals put up 14 goals on the Rockford IceHogs. Rather than focus on more f the brawling and hits associated with the two games – let’s have some fun.

Earlier this season I received a “Player Bios” media kit that was complete with player questionnaires. I’ve neglected to really go back to it and highlight some of the gems associated with it – but I will today. Not all players on the team answered the questionnaires but enough of them filled in a question that I always find fun to ask…

What is your favorite warm-up song?

“Wake Me Up” by Avicii
Anthony Bitetto

Anything Metallica (therefore editor’s choice)
Scott Ford

Alesso (therefore editor’s choice)
Patrick Cehlin

“Pop That” by French Montana
Kevin Henderson

“TNT” by AC/DC
Mathieu Tousignant

“Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Mike Liambas

“Baby” by Justin Bieber
Colton Sissons

“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
Zach Budish

“All My Life” by Foo Fighters
Mark Van Guilder

“Stinkfist” by Tool
Bryan Rodney

Anything Rock (editor’s selection based on genre and European player)
Joonas Jarvinen

“Say My Name” by Eminem ft. Xzibit and Nate Dogg
Austin Watson

“Stricken” by Disturbed
Charles-Olivier Roussel

And those were the guys who provided answers for that question. Any players who have musical tastes similar to you? What song would you listen to before a game? …oh, right. Fair is fair.

“Go With The Flow” by Queens of the Stone Age
Daniel Lavender

Game Recaps

Admirals Roast the IceHogs Again, 6-2
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The Sheriff wasn’t needed to police tonight’s game. Instead, he did something he hasn’t done since 2010 – score points in consecutive games. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

The Admirals won 6-2 against the Rockford IceHogs Saturday night. The rematch of last night’s chippy affair had some similar grit to it but, best of all, a similar lopsided score highlighted by an Admiral offense that is finding its game lately. They’ve now scored twenty-five goals in their last four games.

There were questions whether or not we would have spill over after the events of last night’s game. It took thirty-seven seconds before we had Mathieu Tousignant and Garret Ross drop the gloves. It was a quick little scrap – nothing crazy – and ended with Ross winning the take down on Tousignant. Just a little over two-minutes from there, Kevin Henderson dropped the gloves in an attempt to engage Phillip Danault. There wasn’t a fight between the two – but they did enjoy two minutes in the box for their troubles.

The Admirals managed to score the opener through an in-zone turnover. Vinny Saponari picked up a loose puck and tossed back to the point for Bryan Rodney. His following shot flipped through the net-front screen by Colton Sissons and past goaltender Jason LaBarbera. At game’s end, the scoring on the goal would go from Rodney to Sissons – giving the rookie his twenty-third goal of the season.

Keeping with his Thunderdome nature – Rodney was on the negative end of the game’s next goal as Pierre-Marc Bouchard picked his pocket in the defensive zone en route to a mini-break on Marek Mazanec. Once Bouchard beat Rodney – he set his sights on a slap shot high to the glove side of Mazanec and picked up his eighth goal of the season – and second as a member of the IceHogs.

To start the second period the Ads did a little bit of mimicking. If Bouchard could do it – why can’t we? Filip Forsberg ended up wide in space, skated in on a breakaway, and his wrister burned LaBarbera for his ninth goal of the season to make it a 2-1 Admirals lead just 1:27 into the second period.

Then a major momentum shift. The Admirals had twelve-seconds worth of five-on-three power-play. The IceHogs survived the kill and instantly turned the other way for a goal. Terry Broadhurst’s rush from the wing led to him throwing a puck to the net. It managed to sneak through Mazanec – who might have been paying attention to the center lane drive from Mark McNeill. For the elder Broadhurst of the Rockford Broadhurst Brothers – it is his fifteenth goal of the season.

The Ads responded with a stellar link-up between Tousignant and Miikka Salomaki. There was nearly no space for the pass from Tousignant to Salomaki but the feed came through. Equally, there was next to no room for Salomaki to score from the side of the net – but he did anyways. Quick pass. Quicker finish. Salomaki’s fourteenth goal of the season gave the Admirals a 3-2 lead.

One of the central figures in last night’s key incidents was at it again tonight. Having just lost the lead, Brad Mills decided it best to lose his temper as well and smashed Tousignant into the boards. Mills was the man responsible for the hit to the head of Patrick Cehlin. Unlike last night – there was a call made here. It wasn’t a match penalty – but a five-minute major for boarding.

Before the second period ended, the Admirals were able to score on the opening minute of that five-minute “score at will” major penalty. Like last night – the newbie was at it again. Calle Jarnkrok was able to zip a shot past LaBarbera to extend the Admirals lead to 4-2 and give him his third goal in two days as an Admiral. He now has sixteen goals on the season. It would prove to be the only goal scored by the Ads from the major penalty.

In the third period, Sissons made it back-to-back games of scoring two goals. He was in the right place at the right time as Saponari’s initial spot kicked out right to him. He now has twenty-four goals on the season.

Things then got nasty in the opposite direction for a change. Mike Liambas was called for a kneeing major and a game misconduct when he took out the human bull’s-eye Brad Mills. Liambas went to the box, was asked to leave the box, and -as he attempted to exit the ice- LaBarbera tried to engage him. Mills was down for a bit following the hit. You hope the intent isn’t there from Liambas – but he clearly is open for review from the AHL following a hit such as this.

This gave way to the game’s second five-minute major penalty of the game. At the time it was a three goal contest. The IceHogs power-play has been brilliant. The game was by no means over when this penalty was assessed with 6:50 remaining.

During the lengthy non-stop power-play for the IceHogs they played patiently, wound up emptying their net, had a two-man advantage, and still didn’t manage to score a goal on the major penalty to Liambas.

Joonas Rask put the finishing touches to this game by scoring an empty netter to make it 6-2 Admirals. He was a healthy scratch in last night’s game – and, empty net or not, responded with a good performance on the fourth line and his third goal of the season.

I now expect four incidents to be reviewed from the AHL offices following these two games. Mills on Cehlin. Shea on Moser. Mills on Tousignant. Liambas on Mills. It could be a busy day in the office when they get all the materials in front of them.

Ramblings: Patrick Cehlin and Simon Moser, both injured in last night’s game, didn’t take part – and were replaced in the lineup with Kevin Henderson and Joonas Rask (both of whom were healthy scratches Friday night). Calle Jarnkrok now has three goals and an assist from his first two games as an Admiral. Scott Ford has tallied an assist in back-to-back games. The last time Ford recorded points in consecutive games, 12/12/10 vs. OKC and 12/17/10 vs. LE.

Thoughts from this game? What are we looking at in terms of suspensions from these two games? What has happened to the Admirals offense lately? Who or what has changed things to make the offense as dynamic as it has been all season these past four games?