Author: Jason Karnosky

Game Recaps, News

West All-Stars Steal a Win from the East 8-7 in a Shootout; Midwest Division Stars Shine

Though the results of the AHL All-Star game can be difficult to take seriously at times, Monday’s version of the midseason classic offered plenty of dramatics.

Buried in a 6-2 rut after the first period after the Eastern All-Stars lit up Houston Aeros goaltender Matt Hackett, the West stunned the 6,113 fans in attendance in Atlantic City with a 8-7 shootout victory.

Peoria’s stars Ben Bishop and T.J. Hensick put the finishing touches on the comeback. Bishop stopped 10 of 11 shots in his third period of work, then did not allow a single goal in the shootout to earn game MVP honors. Meanwhile, Hensick scored the West’s sixth goal in the third period and added another in the shootout.

Other stars who shined for the West included Chris Terry of Charlotte, Kevin Connauton of Chicago and Oklahoma City goaltender Yann Danis. Terry led the West with three points (two goals and an assist). Connauton scored the game’s equalizer in the final five minutes, while Danis pitch the first All-Star shutout period since the 2005 game when three names you might recognize, Ryan Miller, Antero Niittymaki and Jason LaBarbera, all posted zeros in their 20 minutes of work.

Chris Mueller’s night? Sadly one to forget as Milwaukee’s lone All-Star failed to record a point and finished as a disappointing -3, the lowest of any player. Mueller was one of only seven Western stars who did not get on the scoresheet.

So Roundtable? What did you think of the All-Star Game? Do no hitting, no penalty, too many passes games bore you, or is fun watching the skills of the All-Stars on display? Can we make anything of Mueller’s tough night?

News

The AHL All Star (Chris Mueller) Classic

It could be argued that no playoff contending team has ever need a break in its midseason schedule more than the 2011-2012 Milwaukee Admirals.

Riding a four game losing streak and having dropped 10 of their past 13 games, Milwaukee is in despirate need of some positive news.

So far Admirals forward Chris Mueller is providing some in Atlantic City. Mueller led a winning leg of the Puck Control Relay, then smoked four targets in the Accuracy Shooting competition before missing his breakaway chance in the final event.

All in all Mueller help the West post an 18-10 win over the East in a competition that wasn’t that close. Mueller will look to provide more magic in tonight’s All-Star game, which will be broadcast live in Milwaukee on Time Warner Sports 32.

For those of you, like me, who don’t live in Milwaukee, good luck trying to watch the game. Here are the listings, but I have yet to find it even tape delayed anywhere in Madison.

So Roundtable . . . Any predictions for Mueller’s performance tonight? Will you be watching/listening or do all-star games bore you to death?

News

Ellis to Miss Out on the AHL All Star Game; Sloan to Return

Though this news likely won’t come as a shock, Admirals defensemen Ryan Ellis will not be attending the 2012 American Hockey League All Star Classic Sunday and Monday due to his recall with Nashville.

Ellis and another Western Conference defenseman’s spot are being taken by Lake Erie’s Tyson Barrie and Rockford’s Brian Connelly. The other All Star additions are Casey Cizikas (Bridgeport) and Alexander Urbom (Albany) for the East and Peoria goaltender Ben Bishop, Toronto forward Ryan Hamilton, Rochester forward Zack Kassian, Oklahoma City forward Ryan Keller and Charlotte forward Chris Terry for the West.

The loss of Ellis leaves Milwaukee with just forward Chris Mueller representing the Admirals. Mueller is the AHL’s ninth leading goal scorer with 19 in 37 games played, just five off of Norfolk forward Cory Conacher’s league leading total of 24.

In other unrelated news Admirals defenseman Tyler Sloan has deemed himself fit to play and will be back in the Milwaukee lineup this weekend. Milwaukee has just one overtime win combined with three losses in four January games without Sloan. Sloan carries a team best +15 rating.

For more on Sloan check out my upcoming feature on MilwaukeeAdmirals.com.

Game Recaps

Peoria Ruins Milwaukee’s Morning Skate 6-3

There are not many A.M. starts on the AHL calender. After the performance the Admirals endured after their early wake up call Tuesday morning, Milwaukee should be hoping to avoid another.

Well rested Peoria, playing in front of 7,082 at Carver Arena, gave the Admirals a beat down reminiscent of elementary school bully. Riding a stretch of four straight goals after Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead, the Rivermen cruised to a 6-3 victory.

The flaming hot Chris Mueller picked up his 19th of the season just over seven minutes in to draw the Admirals first blood, but that’s when the vaunted Peoria power play went to work. Extra man tallies by Danny Syvret and Phil McRae gave the Rivermen their first lead, then captain Adam Cracknell and AHL dynamo T. J. Hensick (the AHL’s third leading scorer with 50 points) made it 4-1 just under five minutes into the third period.

Defenseman Victor Bartley and forward Ryan Thang gave Milwaukee some life in the third period with respective goals, but Cracknell’s second and Jonathan Cheechoo’s empty netter sunk the Admirals ship.

At points the game resembled a shooting gallery on Milwaukee goaltender Jeremy Smith, who stopped 34 of 39 shots. Jake Allen made 27 stops for Peoria to earn the win.

Lots of disappointments for Milwaukee. Jonathon Blum certainly played like he could have used more sleep as he finished with just one assist and played as a -3. Similar morning for Teemu Laakso (-2). Neither looked ready to return to Nashville anytime soon.

The lone Milwaukee highlight:  A fight by Admirals defenseman Jeff Foss seemed to spark a resurgence in the third period. Still Milwaukee managed just eight shots in the final frame.

With the win Peoria moves within one point of Milwaukee and Chicago at 21-19-2-1. This is Peoria’s third straight win over Milwaukee after the Admirals won the first five games of the season series all in regulation.

Milwaukee slips to 22-16-1-1 (just 8-10-0-1 playing away from the Bradley Center), winning just one game on its four-game road trip.

At least Milwaukee gets to return home for a game against Chicago on Friday night.

So Roundtable . . . Some questions for discussion:

1) What did you think of the morning start and did you get to watch/listen to the game?

2) Do you think the early start effected Milwaukee’s play?

3) Can the Admirals overcome a struggling a penalty kill and poor road record and still make the playoffs, or do these problems need to be fixed pronto?

News

The Bad and the Good, a.k.a. Milwaukee’s Special Teams

A couple of weeks ago I lamented on the Admirals lack of success on the penalty kill. Unfortunately, a rather busy crop of news buried that story under a heap of more pressing concerns.

However, this week’s scheduling quirk allows me a night to reflect a little deeper on the Admirals issues with special teams.

Heading into this week’s four-game road trip, Milwaukee stood at nearly rock bottom shorthanded, allowing 36 goals in 156 times playing at least one man short, or a paltry penalty killing success rate of 76.9%. Meaning just about every three out of four times skating shorthanded this season, the Admirals allow a goal–and rarely do AHL games go without at least four penalties. That ranks 29th best out of 30 teams.

On the opposite side of the coin, Milwaukee’s power play continues to impress. Prior to Tuesday’s game against Hamilton, the Admirals were humming at 21.3% success rate, scoring 30 goals in 141 times playing with at least a one man advantage, good enough for the third best clip in the league.

Curiously, these numbers mirror parent club Nashville, which ranks second in the NHL in power play success (21.7% success) and 83.1% on the penalty kill (12th best in the league). In this day in age special teams play a huge role in the success of a hockey club. One of the reasons why the Predators are climbing up the standings is due to their success on the power play, which is not countered with a struggling penalty kill.

What that translates to for Milwaukee? Improve the penalty kill and see the win total rise.

Sunday and Tuesday’s games against Rockford and Peoria respectively offer an excellent chance to work on cleaning up the shorthanded unit against Divisional foes. The Ice Hogs feature the AHL’s 21st best power play, while the Rivermen roll with league’s second best tandem.

My suggestion for coach Ian Herbers: Try something new against the struggling Rockford power play. If it works, carry it over and see if it is for real against Peoria.

So Roundtable . . . Any suggestions for fixing Milwaukee’s ailing Penalty Kill?

News

Preds Claim Brandon Yip, Activate Jerred Smithson From IR

A couple of curious moves for Milwaukee’s NHL affiliate today.

The Nashville Predators claimed forward Brandon Yip off of waivers from the Colorado Avalanche. The Boston University product was an effective player for the Avs during the past two seasons, but this year the third-year NHLer has yet to record a point in just 10 games of action while dealing with a pair of significant injuries.

Yip seems to fit right in with the usual crop at Nashville. The 26-year-old is a classic over achiever, entering the NHL after being drafted  in the eighth round. His current contract is a paltry $750,000.

The addition of Yip and the return of forward Jerred Smithson off of IR means internal movement for the Predators organization is just ahead with the necessity to clear out roster space.

Yesterday forward Chris Mueller was reassigned. Could Gabriel Bourque be next?

So Roundtable . . . Who else returns to Milwaukee?

News

Revisiting a Future Outdoor Game–A Spectulation

Last season, I kicked around the idea of Milwaukee being involved in an outdoor game at Miller Park as part of a double header with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Though nothing is imminent, rumors of a third Wisconsin outdoor game at Milwaukee have been discussed over the past few years. Considering the current trend of multiple games played at an outdoor rink, it would only seem natural that an Admirals game would be played at Miller Park as well.

But putting that speculative idea aside for another, the NHL is still crossing over some hurdles to put together next season’s Winter Classic–planned to be held in Ann Arbor at Michigan Stadium. The two teams involved will most likely be the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Plans for a second outdoor rink in Detroit’s Comerica Park are also being discussed in order to ensure the week long celebration around the game has its focus in the Motor City. However a tenant for the games to be held there remains a mystery.

The Great Lakes Invitational College Hockey tournament seems best suited for the plan, considering it is usually held at Joe Louis Arena every year around the same time. A couple of other options would be an AHL tuneup game involving Grand Rapids, or an OHL game involving one of the area’s local teams (Plymouth, Windsor, Saginaw or Sarnia).

The only reason why I bring this up is that this weekend marks the AHL’s Outdoor game involving Hamilton and Toronto. Considering the teams and the interest level in the area (NHL Network is now broadcasting it), this event should be a huge success.

So Roundtable . . . If Grand Rapids were to take the plunge and join the ranks of Outdoor Game teams (especially at a game held in Ann Arbor),  would Milwaukee fit as an opponent? Would you be willing make the trip east to go watch? What is your interest level in an Outdoor Admirals game at Miller Park?

Game Recaps

Amtrak Rival Chicago Continues Milwaukee’s Woes

With a week to prepare for a rivalry and a fresh face in the lineup, Milwaukee looked to break out of its January funk Friday night against Chicago at Allstate Arena.

Instead, the Wolves made it five losses in six games for the Admirals, pitching a 2-1 decision over the Admirals in an entertaining affair.

Former University of Wisconsin forward Michael Davies proved the difference maker for Chicago, picking up his second goal in as many games, then assisting on Bill Sweatt’s game winning goal with 61 seconds remaining in the second period.

Both goals came off of defense breakdowns by the Admirals. On the Wolves first tally, Nolan Baumgartner found a streaking Davies with a long pass eluding Milwaukee defenseman Scott Valentine. Davies then scored on his own rebound. On the second Admirals defenseman Jonathon Blum couldn’t handle a breaking Sweatt, who finished off Davies’ feed.

The Admirals lone goal came from All-Star snub Michael Latta (Milwaukee’s best player in the game), who had Blake Geoffrion’s centering pass go in off of him. Latta would add a fight in the third period.

The Admirals’ other star was Jeremy Smith, who turned in one of his best performances of the season by stopping 34 of 36 shots. However, Matt Climie was even better, allowing just one fluke-variety goal while saving 30 Milwaukee shots.

The loss makes it five in six games for the reeling Admirals, who return home Saturday night to face a Texas team that has won its last two games, including a 6-4 victory at Grand Rapids this evening. Milwaukee is now 20-13-0-1 on the season and stuck in a 3rd place tie in the Midwest Division with Peoria, which lost 2-1 to Houston tonight.

Notes for the Game:

-Not many thrills out of Brody Dupont in his season debut. Here are a couple of quotes from his interview with Aaron Sims prior to the game:

“This is going to be a full year process and I won’t be 100% until summer,” Dupont said. “The ankle is what it is, but conditioning wise I feel great and I am excited to (get into the lineup).”

-Latta’s tussle came at 7:48 mark of the third period with Chicago’s Byron Bitz. Latta scored the decision on the former Boston Bruins grinder in his second fight against the Wolves this season (strangely the only two of the season series).

-Bitz later took a penalty in the final minute. The Admirals mounted some chances, but ran out of time.

-Chicago registered more shots than Milwaukee for the first time in the eight game season series to date.

-Prior to the five losses in six game funk, the Admirals last win came against Chicago, 4-2 on home ice back on December 28. For more on the Amtrak rivalry, check out my feature this week on MilwaukeeAdmirals.com.

-Geoffrion remains without a goal in his ten games with Milwaukee. Not a good sign for a return trip to Nashville. Blum wasn’t much better.

-Friday was a former Badger reunion night in Rosemont. Davies and Geoffrion were linemates at Wisconsin, while Steven Reinprecht played from 1996-2000 at Madison before embarking on a 663-NHL game career.

-All three goals were scored in the second period. Milwaukee outshot Chicago 14-12 in the middle frame.

-The win is the Wolves’ fifth straight allowing Chicago (21-12-1-3) to move into a first place tie in the Midwest Division with idle Charlotte. The Wolves have two games in hand on the Checkers.

News

Milwaukee Braces for Nine Games in 16 Days

As of Wednesday Milwaukee has played 33 games to date this season.  Strangely that total is lower than every other American Hockey League team leaving the Admirals with significant games in hand on all of their foes.

However, Milwaukee will play plenty of catch up over the next couple of weeks. Starting Friday, the Admirals will face five games in just seven days. After a three games in a three days stretch starting Friday at Chicago, Milwaukee gets a two day break before traveling to Hamilton and Lake Erie for a back-to-back road games.

After another two day break, the Admirals play another four more games in just seven days. If you are counting at home that makes nine games in 16 days–a rather daunting stretch.

Therefore, the second half of January represents make or break time for Milwaukee. Play well and a return trip to playoffs becomes a much less difficult task. However, continue the recent struggles (one win for the Admirals in their last five games) and watch more Western Conference teams leap frog ahead in the race to the finish. After these nine games, Milwaukee will have played 42 total on the season, leaving just 34 left the rest of the way.

“We need to improve our consistency,” said Admirals coach Ian Herbers last week describing what his team needed to improve on in the second half of the season. “There are too many highs and lows in our game. We need to put together a (solid) 60 minutes then string some games together.”

News

Fixing the Penalty Kill

30 games into the 2011-2012 season, the Milwaukee Admirals stand 19-10-0-1, having accumulated 39 points. It is enviable position to be in as the Admirals sit comfortably in the playoffs with games in hand on every other Western Conference foe (I will have more on this Friday).

But one statistic stands out as a major issue going forward for Milwaukee. The Admirals penalty kill ranks a surprising 26th in the AHL, successful only 77.8% of the time having allowed 28 goals–or nearly a goal a game.

Considering how stout Milwaukee is defensively, how tenacious the Admirals pressure the puck at times and the fact that Mark Van Guilder is one of the top penalty killers in the league, this statistic really stands out like a sore thumb.

The only goal Sunday came on the power play, yet on all accounts Milwaukee’s penalty kill was effective, killing three first period minors.

After the game I asked coach Ian Herbers what he thought of his team’s progress short handed:

“We’ve done pretty well overall, but we’ve just had a break down here and there,” Herbers said. “We’ve been okay, but the numbers just haven’t been good for us.”

So Roundtable . . . Critique the Admirals’ penalty kill. Is it just occasional break downs causing issues, or are the problems deeper? What can attribute Milwaukee’s ineffectiveness short handed?