Taylor Beck returns to the Admirals after a five-game stint with the Nashville Predators. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
Broadcaster Aaron Sims will not be the only one making the trip east from Minnesota. Taylor Beck will be back in town as well tonight when the Admirals play the Utica Comets.
The 22-year-old’s latest stint in Nashville lasted five games (now seven NHL games on the year), from January 26 through February 6. During the stretch Beck registered zero points, four PIMs and had a minus-one rating while averaging 12:27 of ice time. The St. Catherines native’s most time on ice this season (15:45) came in a 5-1 loss to Edmonton in the first game of his most latest promotion, which started on January 22.
So far this season Beck’s offensive prowess at the AHL level has failed to translate over to the NHL with the Predators. The 2009 third-round pick is providing .77 points of offense per game with Milwaukee and ranks third on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 27 points in 35 games. Only rookie Filip Forsberg’s .78 ranks higher.
Simon Moser, who will represent Switzerland in the Winter Olympics (Read my feature on Moser, Josi and the Swiss here), remains with the Predators after playing 10:04 in 15 shifts during last night’s overtime loss to Minnesota.
So Roundtable . . . Are you happy to see Taylor Beck back in Milwaukee? Does his latest NHL stint mean that someone else, likely Colton Sissons, a healthy Austin Watson or Filip Forsberg, instead of Beck, might be the next in line for a call up? Are you surprised that it was Beck that was sent down and not Moser?
This is former Admiral Darren Haydar playing for the Chicago Wolves last season. He moved to Germany. And his Wolves moved to Utica. (PhotoCredit: Scott Paulus)
Last time out the Admirals won in regulation. The last time they did that was on Jan. 24 vs. Rockford: W, 3-2. The next opponent they get to face? Another member of the Western Conference’s North Division: the Utica Comets. There is just one thing worth remembering. These are last year’s Chicago Wolves.
I made mention of this when we first met the Chicago Wolves this season but there were some changes in the last offseason. The Vancouver Canucks did not renew their deal to keep the Chicago Wolves as their AHL affiliate and, instead, purchased the Peoria Rivermen. There is no denying that the Canucks wanted to move their AHL team closer to Vancouver. They were in talks over the Abbotsford organization but those talks ended up breaking off. The end result became the Utica Comets. The Peoria Rivermen became no more (despite the Southern Professional Hockey League team carrying its name). And the Wolves were taken over by the old guard of the Rivermen when the St. Louis Blues joined on.
That entire situation still seems like a complete mess to me. The aim was for an AHL affiliate closer to Vancouver and they end up in New York. Compare that scenario with the Houston Aeros to Iowa Wild move for the Minnesota Wild and your head might hurt a bit. It’s still a shame to see the Rivermen go down. And it’s also a shame to be an AHL player called up to the NHL from Utica, New York and have to travel all the way over to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. If there is a yo-yo type player filling in a lot between both teams – I envy his frequent flyer miles. Anyways, what have our ‘old’ Amtrak Rivals up to since the move?
The Utica Comets are the worst team in the Western Conference with a record of 17-22-2-4 (40 points). The only team with a worse record in the entire AHL is the Hartford Wolf Pack, 17-23-0-5 (39 points). The Comets season started painfully. It took them 11 games before they finally won their first game of the season. In those opening 10 games without a win? They only earned 2 points. Since then, they have improved but only ever so slightly. Their current run, 6-3-0-1 (13 points), seems to tell me they might just finally be finding their groove. With that in mind. Let me tell you that they are still the lowest scoring team, 107 goals, in the entire league.
Who is on this Comets squad that took part in last season’s Amtrak Rivalry as a member of the Wolves… and how did they do in last season’s match up with the Admirals? Darren Archibald, 8 games, 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists)… Alex Friesen, 4 games, 1 goal… Peter Andersson, 4 games… Alexandre Grenier, 1 game… Nicklas Jensen, 5 games… Alex Mallet, 3 games… Joe Cannata, 2 games, 1 win, 2.52 GAA, 0.937 SV%.
Now a member of the Utica Comets, former Admiral Cal O’Reilly will play his first career game against Milwaukee tonight.
Last season, Cal O’Reilly was voted to the Top 35 Admirals of All-Time list – where he ranked eleventh. Tonight, he will play in his first career game against the Milwaukee Admirals. It will also be his first game in the Bradley Center since Jan. 22, 2010 against the Chicago Wolves where he tallied 2 assists in a 6-3 Ads loss. In his career as an Admiral he blistered the AHL all-time list: games played (262… tied for sixth with Chris Mueller), points (253… second to only Darren Haydar), and assists (197… the team in Ads AHL history – clear by 31 assists to the next closest Admiral, Haydar).
Since leaving the Ads, O’Reilly has quite literally been all over the place. He went up to the Nashville Predators, was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, played with the Portland Pirates in the AHL, he was claimed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins, went down to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, then he went to Russia to play for Magnitogorsk Metallurg of the KHL for a season, and now… *drumroll* …he’s back! In 26 games with the Comets this season O’Reilly has 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists). He has yet to take a single penalty. Having been such a great part of the team’s AHL history – I’m hoping he gets a real warm response tonight.
UPDATE: The fans will not get that chance as O’Reilly has been scratched from tonight’s game with an upper body injury. He did travel with the team, but is out of tonight’s lineup for the Comets.
With the team leader in points, Pascal Pelletier, called up to the Canucks on Tuesday – the Comets are lead in scoring by Benn Ferriero. The 26-year old has played in 98 games in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers, and Canucks. He has 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 45 games this season with the Comets. For a team ranked at the lowest of the low in goal scoring, his production.. combined with Alexandre Grenier (15 goals) and Colin Stuart (11 goals).. make up for 40% of the team’s total goal production. If the Admirals want to put the Comets in a vice – lock those boys down and force others to step up.
In net the Comets have been working with rookies all season long. The current battery is Joacim Eriksson and Joe Cannata. Eriksson has been called upon the most between the two. This season he has played in 28 games, won 12 games, has a 2.57 GAA, and a 0.914 SV%. In two February starts, he has lost both games while conceding 6 goals from 65 shots. Cannata, who took part in last year’s Amtrak Rivalry, has played in 18 games, won 5 games, has a 3.21 GAA, and a 0.894 SV%. He made the team’s last start, made 43 saves, stopped 7 of 9 in the shootout, and helped the Comets win 3-2 (SO) in Iowa on Wednesday. Before that, he made 32 saves in a 3-1 win in Hamilton.
The Admirals enter tonight’s game with a record of 22-13-6-4 (54 points). They are still sitting behind the Grand Rapids Griffins (62 points) and Chicago Wolves (56 points) in the Midwest Division. The Ads are currently riding a 4-game point streak of 2-0-1-1.
In their victory against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Wednesday – the team had two injuries to work through. Austin Watson went flying knee first into the end boards. He played the rest of the game but took a nasty hit to his left knee. Joonas Rask re-injured his left shoulder and missed the entire third period.
For as tight as the team has been of late – an injury meant a recall from Cincinnati of the ECHL was mandatory. The man from the Cyclones recalled? Paul Crowder. This season with the Cyclones he has played in 42 games and is second on the team with 30 points (11 goals, 19 points). This will be his second rodeo with the Admirals. He was called up late last season: 5 games and 2 assists… 1 playoff game and 1 assist. He’ll be wearing the #11 for the Admirals.
UPDATE: Taylor Beck was reassigned to the Admirals this afternoon (story). There was also the news that Joonas Rask will be out of tonight’s lineup due to his shoulder injury – and could possibly miss much longer.
What do you expect from this game tonight? Any memories of Cal O’Reilly you’d like to reminisce over?
It’s been a very tough day off the ice for the Nashville Predators. G.M. David Poile was struck puck today during the morning skate, according to this TSN article. David Poile was on the ice when he got hit by a deflected puck and was taken to the hospital as a precaution where he will remain overnight.
Nashville released this brief statement about the incident:
Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile was taken to a St. Paul, Minn., hospital today after being struck by an errant puck during the team’s morning skate at Xcel Energy Center. He will remain in the hospital overnight for observation and evaluation, and further information will be released as it becomes available.
UPDATE:
Nashville and Team USA GM David Poile still in surgery as of 20 minutes ago. He’s going to need 30-40 stitches. It’s an eye socket fracture.
Milwaukee Admirals play-by-play broadcaster Aaron Sims will step in on radio for the Predators, joining analyst Stu Grimson on the radio call tonight on 102.5 The Game.
Here is wishing both men fast and full recoveries.
Predators General Manager David Poile underwent two successful surgical procedures in the nose and eye areas and received stitches to repair a facial laceration suffered yesterday when hit by an errant puck during the Predators’ morning skate at Xcel Energy Center. He is resting and recovering and will remain in the hospital for further observation. His return to Nashville is yet to be determined and is pending doctors’ evaluation and recommendation. At this point, he will not travel to Sochi as originally planned with Team USA on Sunday, but he does look forward to joining Team USA during the Olympics.
David and his family appreciate the inquiries and well wishes received, but there will be no further comment at this time and they appreciate everyone respecting their privacy.
When we last saw Paul Crowder he was helping the Admirals in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs against the Texas Stars. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
We have a roster move to announce this afternoon. The Milwaukee Admirals have just recalled center Paul Crowder from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.
This season with the Cyclones he has played in 42 games and is second on the team with 30 points (11 goals, 19 points). This will be his second rodeo with the Admirals. He was called up late last season: 5 games and 2 assists… 1 playoff game and 1 assist. He will be the first Admiral since Brad Winchester last season to wear the #11.
The move comes after a game that saw both Joonas Rask and Austin Watson get hurt. Rask injured his left shoulder and didn’t return in the third period. Watson hurt his left knee but continued on – playing the rest of the game. It should be more revealing as to who is more hurt come tomorrow night’s game. And, just because Crowder is a center, I wouldn’t say that would mean Watson is the one worse off. If you remember, Rask missed time not too long ago with an injury to that very same shoulder. He missed 8 games with his initial shoulder injury.
What do you make of this move? Right call from Cincinnati?
“Good Guy” Charles-Olivier Roussel scored his first career AHL goal last night. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
For those who follow the Roundtable on Twitter or my personal Instagram you will frequently catch me using the term, Good Guy [insert player name here]. For those who wonder where that comes from, why I use it, and why a guy like Charles-Olivier Roussel is perfectly cast as a frequent Good Guy – allow me to explain.
I am an Internet nerd. Simple as that. It starts with the Good Guy Greg meme (example) and translates into the Admirals when I see random acts of kindness. Mark Van Guilder won’t let Roscoe play table tennis but Joe Piskula will? Good Guy Piskula. …and I still can’t believe in that anti-bullying video run on the jumbotron during games good ol’ Van Guilder tells our loveable mascot he sucks.
So, why does Charles-Olivier Roussel turn up as one of the frequent names on the hashtag Good Guy mentions from the Roundtable? Well…
Charles-Olivier Roussel played in 56 games before scoring his first career AHL goal on Wednesday night against the Hamilton Bulldogs. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
The Admirals won 4-2 last night over the Hamilton Bulldogs. It wasn’t the prettiest of games played from either team. Not the most crisp all-around passing game I’ve ever witnessed and it created plenty of turnover chances, for both sides, that lead to rushes back the other way. I feel the win comes as a result of the Ads being the more patient team in the end. The longer the game when on – the less mistakes the team made (especially with passes). The game-winning goal came from a power-play goal. The clincher came from an empty netter – the team’s first since Dec. 12 vs. Oklahoma City, 4-0. The Ads rolled with the punches. And, in the end, the team that played smarter hockey later in the game won out.
Along with head coach Dean Evason’s post-game press conference I had the chance to chat with Colton Sissons and Charles-Olivier Roussel. Here is what everyone had to say following last night’s 4-2 victory.
After three-straight games of overtime and shootout hockey… this winning in regulation stuff felt pretty good. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
The Admirals won 4-2 against the Hamilton Bulldogs Wednesday night. The game-winning goal came in the third period from Charles-Olivier Roussel – his first career AHL goal. A long range empty netter from Colton Sissons, fresh off of his first stint in the NHL, sealed the deal on an Ads victory in regulation.
After a high-tempo rush into the Admirals zone, Joonas Jarvinen was called for a holding-the-stick penalty for the game’s opening power-play chance. The result? An opening goal for the Bulldogs. Defenseman Greg Pateryn smashed a slap shot from the point that whizzed through bodies and beat Marek Mazanec to the glove-side. From the looks of the goal – Mazanec never saw that puck. The shot was to the glove-side and he didn’t even move his glove. The goal for Pateryn was his ninth of the season.
The Admirals responded just five-minutes after the Bulldogs opening goal in the first period. After a shot was tossed on Robert Mayer’s net – he lost the puck to his blocker-side. Mark Van Guilder was Johnny on the spot to pop in the loose puck and tie the game at 1-1 with his ninth-goal of the season.
In the second period we had a scrap between Mathieu Tousignant and Nathan McIver. If you’re an Admirals fan – you turned away. If you were a Bulldogs fan or liked the film Fight Club – you watched. Let’s just say Tousignant was given the business. My fight card reads: McIver, 10. Tousignant, 8.
Austin Watson broke the deadlock later on in the second period for his twelfth goal of the season. A great pass from Anthony Bitetto picked out Watson who snuck behind the Bulldogs defense. Watson has an extra step, mini-break, and fired a wrister to the low glove of Mayer for the goal.
The second period and start of the third period feature plenty of minor penalty calls. During this stretch of power-play, four-on-four, penalty kill, repeat… the Bulldogs scored from a four-on-four situation to equalize in the third period. Gabriel Dumont’s wrist shot snuck past Mazanec to make it a 2-2 hockey game. On the play, Austin Watson was attempting to make a flying poke check on Dumont – and his speed carried him towards the end boards, where he collided with a Bulldogs forward, turned, and impacted the end boards knee first. It was a loud impact and he was slow to leave the ice. He did, however, make a return to the game – something that could not be said of Joonas Rask who also left the game in the third period after a shoulder injury.
Midway through the third period the Admirals cashed in on a power-play. Charles-Olivier Roussel’s shot from the point took a big deflection from Dumont – who was playing directly on Roussel’s point spot. The puck knuckled and flew through Mayer for Roussel’s first career AHL goal.
With the Bulldogs net empty and the extra attacker on – Colton Sissons sealed the game from a long rang shot from his own zone for his seventeenth-goal of the season. Joe Piskula chipped the puck forward to him and, perhaps just trying to clear the zone, Sissons snapped at the puck – which skipped on down the ice and in.
Ramblings: Tonight’s lone scratch was defenseman Bryan Rodney for personal reasons. From Twitter chatter I received on him in the last week or so it sounded like he was close to becoming a dad. If that’s the reasoning behind the scratch – congratulations yo the Rodney family! Scott Ford played in game number 341 tonight as an Admiral – giving him sole possession of ninth all-time for games played in team history. Mark Van Guilder also moved up on the games played list. Van Guilder is now tied for fourth place in the AHL history of the team, with former captain Nolan Yonkman, with 283 games played as an Admiral.
What are your thoughts from tonight’s game? How well has Roussel played this season and was tonight’s goal a long time coming? If both Watson and Rask are hurt badly enough to miss Friday night’s game – what course of action takes place?
These are the Hamilton Bulldogs. We only see them twice in a season and once in Milwaukee. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
In their last three-games the Admirals have played beyond regulation. In two of those three games they’ve lost. Three game point streak for the team – but now, with the homestand continuing, it’s time to get greedy and claim the maximum amount of points from struggling Hamilton Bulldogs team.
The Bulldogs have a record of 20-21-0-4 (44 points). They are currently third in the Western Conference’s North Division behind the Toronto Marlies (56 points) and Rochester Americans (50 points). In their last ten games the Bulldogs have been a dreadful 3-7-0-0 including four-straight losses:
While the Admirals rested up and practiced from the comforts of Milwaukee – the Bulldogs were in a slugfest in Rockford last night. 10 goals in the game. 2 fights. And, unknown if there will be instant repercussions for it, but an illegal check to the head delivered by Stefan Fournier.
I suppose it should come as a surprise to see such mayhem from the Bulldogs though. They currently have 873 penalty minutes. That is the second most, only to fellow North Division opponent the Lake Erie Monsters (976 penalty minutes), in the Western Conference. They are tied for third most shorthanded situations in the entire AHL with the Binghamton Senators with 233 shorthanded chances. Despite having 40 more shorty scenarios than the Admirals the Bulldogs actually have a better penalty kill (83.3%) than the Ads (82.4). It might be a statistical factoid but if you give any team that many chances with an extra skater – it’s a dangerous game to play.
Martin St. Pierre. Remember him? You should because last year, while playing for the Rockford IceHogs, he was an Admiral killer. In 12 games against the Ads last season he scored 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists). No one in last seasons match up, Ads and IceHogs, scored more goals than St. Pierre. This season with the Bulldogs he has played in 42 games, produced a team-best 29 points (8 goals, 21 assists), has a plus/minus of -12, and has logged 34 penalty minutes. Last season with the IceHogs he had 204 shots on goal in 76 games. This season with the Bulldogs – just 68 shots on goal from 42 games (well off last year’s offensive pace). He has a stellar month of November, 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists), but has since been very miss and not so hit. In his last 23 games he has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists). For all we know, a game against a team like the Admirals, that he did so well against the year prior, could ignite a fire under him.
Leading the Bulldogs in goal scoring is first-year pro Sven Andrighetto who has 10 goals this season. In the Bulldogs game last night in Rockford he earned second star honors for contributing a 4 point night (1 goal, 3 assists). He might have only played in 33 games this season but has been one of the better and more consistent performers for Hamilton. The 20-year old played two seasons with Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL before playing in the AHL this season. His numbers were sharp in juniors: 115 games, 172 points (67 goals, 105 assists), a plus/minus of +2 (first season, -23… second season, +25), and 95 penalty minutes. The native of Switzerland has enjoyed a decent first season of professional hockey so far. He’ll be a man to stop tonight.
The Bulldogs top goalie this season has been 24-year old Dustin Tokarski. Entering tonight’s game he has played in 30 games, won 15 games, has a 2.32 GAA, and a 0.919 SV%. He has lost his last four-starts. And he has also conceded 11 goals in his last two starts – including 5 goals against the IceHogs in last night’s game. Should the team decide against using him in their two-in-two scenario tonight that would mean seeing Bulldogs’ backup goaltender Robert Mayer. The 24-year old Czech has not played on a regular basis at all this season: October, 4 games… November, 4 games… December, 3 games… January, 3 games… February (so far), 1 game… In 15 total games in net this season, Mayer has won only 4 games, has a 2.97 GAA, and a 0.902 SV%. No matter who the Admirals face – it could be to their advantage. They will get the struggling goalie or the cold goalie.
The Admirals will play tonight’s game after enjoying some downtime after a hectic two-in-two that saw them travel down to Iowa and back to Milwaukee. They won in overtime on the road in Iowa and then lost a shootout against Grand Rapids. This pushed their record to 21-13-6-4 (52 points). They are still third in the Midwest Division behind the Chicago Wolves. The Ads might be trailing their Amtrak Rivals by 4 points but they have 2 games at hand. If the Ads win those 2 games – we’re all even.
Colton Sissons is back in the lineup for tonight’s game after enjoying his first taste of the NHL. I’m still not too sure if this is a truck stop game for him tonight with a possible post-game trip over to Minnesota where the Predators play tomorrow. If it happens, it is a solid win-win for all involved. If not, this is still a win for the Admirals and Sissons. The Admirals get back one of their top scorers and all-around (power-play and penalty kill) players. Sissons gets to play lots and lots of minutes – minutes that were already alluding him at the NHL level on the Preds’ fourth-line. He has 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists). I expect his presence to be a big boost to the team in multiple facets of the game tonight.
Marek Mazanec will start tonight. That’s a shot in the dark from me. Just a guess. But, considering he has started in all 8 games since he was reassigned to the Admirals from the Predators, it’s probably a safe bet on my part. In his last game he looked incredible against the Griffins. It may have been a shootout loss. He may have given up 2 goals again (continuing his wacky stat of always conceding 2 or more goals per game in the AHL). But, he made more than enough clutch saves that allowed the Ads to take a point from the Griffins in the first place. He stopped 35 of 37 shots by the Griffins. With some much needed rest for the Ads’ workhorse – I expect a nice night in net for Maz. Bold Prediction: tonight he will end his string of 2 goals or more allowed.
What are your thoughts for tonight’s game? Will last night’s physical game against Rockford hurt or help the Hamilton Bulldogs as they play tonight? How will Colton Sissons play in his return to the AHL? Should the Admirals continue to dress 7 defensemen and scratch a forward or should they scratch a defenseman and keep the forward group stacked?
Constant Travel: it looks a heck of a lot like Simon Moser in this photograph. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
For those following along on Twitter todat and might have been a wee bit confused by the comings and goings of Simon Moser I have some clarifications for you!
As mentioned here at the Roundtable, he was reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals with Colton Sissons on Sunday. Moser played in his first career NHL game the day prior in St. Louis. He played 10:21 of ice time over 16 shifts.
Then came some conflicting reports on the Twitter-verse:
So, what’s the deal? I’ll tell you. Moser was scheduled to leave for the Olympics today. Instead, he was given another quickfire recall from the Nashville Predators where he took part in team practice today at 10:30am with the team. It’s odd that, given his reassignment on Sunday, he was recalled back so quickly – and before the Admirals play on Wednesday when the Predators play a state away in Minnesota on Thursday. This seems to be the second time in a week when Moser was scheduled to join Team Switzerland in Sochi. He was about to join the Olympic squad prior to his first NHL recall. Still unknown exactly when he departs North America. If anything, perhaps he’ll leave when fellow Predator and Swiss Olympian Roman Josi departs for the Olympics.
What are your thoughts on the yo-yo style call ups for Moser these last few days? Will he remain in the NHL until the Olympic break?
Colton Sissons takes in his surroundings for his first career home game as a member of the Nashville Predators. (Photo Credit: John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
It might not have been the longest stint but, in three-games, Colton Sissons achieved his dream of playing in the NHL. His call up to the Nashville Predators came during a run of injuries taking out the team’s forward group left and right. At the time of his first ever NHL recall he was leading the Milwaukee Admirals in points and goals scored: 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists). It was three-games. How did the first-year pro handle himself?
Sissons was able to play his first career NHL in front of his family in Winnipeg as the Predators finished their Western Canada road-trip against the Jets (game highlights). Just like his debut with the Admirals this season – he treated the fam with a first-career point. He managed to produce a secondary assist playing with the same hockey smarts we’ve become accustomed to seeing in his forty-two games with the Admirals.
He made a smart play defensively to stir this play forward and then, no nonsense, cycled the forecheck behind the net. Paul Gaustad made a brilliant play to win the puck and dish it off to Nick Spaling for the goal. Being that Sissons played on the fourth line in each of these three-games with the Preds – that’s all you could ask for. Nothing flashy. Just smart.
In that first career game he played a total of 14 shifts and logged 10:49 of ice time. Of that ice time – all of it came at even-strength. He had 2 hits, 1 shot, and went 1/4 (25%) in faceoffs.
This is what he had to say after having played that first career game in the NHL:
In his next game he made his home debut in Nashville while taking part in a thriller of a game against the New Jersey Devils (game highlights). The Predators came back in the final seconds to tie the game and then won it in overtime. It was all jolly exciting, but Sissons didn’t entirely take much part in it.
In his home debut he had 11 shifts and played 5:06 of ice time. No one on the team had few shifts. No one on the team played lesser minutes. In his first AHL game he scored his first AHL point (an assist).
In his first NHL game he scored his first NHL point (an assist). In his second AHL game he scored his first AHL goal. In his second NHL game he earned his first NHL penalty (two-minutes for holding). …not quite as parallel as I was hoping for after the first game.
Despite a game where he wasn’t on the ice that much – he did manage to take 4 faceoffs in the home debut: 2/4 (50%).
His third game with the Preds would be his last before being reassigned on Sunday (Roundtable story). It was another road game for Nashville – this time in St. Louis. He did manage more shifts and ice time than the previous game, 15 shifts for 8:00 minutes, but he still had the least shifts and playing time of any Predator.
He did earn another plus in the plus/minus department, being on the ice for Paul Gaustad’s goal, to bump up his NHL total to +2. He also rang a shot off the post in the first period – nearly scoring his first career NHL goal (game highlights). Again, despite the time on ice, he was productive again in limited faceoff work – winning 3/4 (75%) of his faceoffs in that game.
He’ll make his return to the Milwaukee Admirals Wednesday night when the team squares off with the Hamilton Bulldogs. There is no doubt his addition to the Ads will be a massive boost. Whether or not it is a truck stop for him in Milwaukee before the Predators play in Minnesota the next day is another question. If that’s how it shakes out – it’s a win-win. Sissons plays extra minutes with the Admirals and then travels back to help out the Predators and their banged up forward group without missing any time between either club. We’ll just have to wait and see how that story plays itself out after Wednesday’s game.
What is your impression of Colton Sissons’ first rodeo in the NHL? Positive? Negative? Did the team use him in his best capacity or the only capacity they had open due to the injuries? Can we expect to lose him again after Wednesday’s game?
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