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Friday the 13th Weekend
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October 11, 2006
Ok... enough about last week... let's look ahead to this weekend, where the Admirals open a two game set against our rivals to the south with a home game on Friday and a trip to Rosemont on Saturday. Each team has played one game, with Milwaukee suffering a 7-1 loss to Omaha, while Chicago handled Peoria 5-0.
Returning to the Wolves from last season:
Forwards
Stephen Baby, Kevin Doell, Derek MacKenzie, Jared Ross, and Colin Stuart.
Defensemen
Mark Popovic, Jim Sharrow, Brian Sipotz, and Tim Wedderburn.
Goaltender
Michael Garnett.
A few more familiar faces return to the maroon and gold with Cory Larose and Steve Martins. Larose, like the Wolves, took a season off from playing AHL hockey. The 34 year old Martins has had two previous stints with Chicago (1997-98 and 2001). Since '01, he's been in the Senators organization twice... before and after a year and a half with the Blues.
Of course, Admiral fans will be most familiar with Darren Haydar, who left Milwaukee after 4 years during which he captured the AHL Rookie of the Year award, led (or tied for 1st) on the team in scoring 3 times, went to the Calder Cup Final twice... winning the Cup in 2004.
Other AHL vets who join the Wolves are Brian Fahey (from Iowa), Jon Insana (Grand Rapids/Cleveland), Sean McMorrow (Rochester), and Kyle Wanvig (Houston). They also now have the veteran leadership of center Jason Krog (hat trick last weekend), who has 175 NHL games under his belt and was a college teammate of Haydar's.
Their roster features three goaltenders... Michael Garnett (earning the shutout last weekend) along with 30-something veterans Dieter Kochan and Freddy Braithwaite.
Among the youngsters who we will see are 1st round draft picks Alex Bourret and Boris Valabik, 3rd round pick Scott Lehman, 4th round pick Jordan LaVallee, and Colorado College grads Joey Crabb and Brett Sterling.
My prediction... a split, with the road team winning each game. Chicago has to plan ahead for a Sunday game against Omaha, meaning that they'll play three nights in a row, and may back off the intensity on Saturday.... we can only hope.
Although I live about halfway between the BC and Rosemont, I likely will not be at Saturday's game. Weather permitting, I'll be at a race track instead... freezing my nuts off no doubt.
One final note... I've noticed my least favorite ref has been busy doing NHL games this season. Justin St. Smug... ah... I mean Justin St. Pierre has heightened the blood pressure of NHL fans and players alike. He was just as clueless as ever in last night's Minnesota/Vancouver game, and he riled up Florida's Todd Bertuzzi with a questionable call a few days earlier.
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Woke up from a terrible dream
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October 8, 2006
After last night's season opening Admiral game, I could have jumped online and vented my displeasure, but I chose to go straight to bed. And wouldn't you know, I had nightmares. It's now the next morning and I've tried to gather my thoughts on game one of the 06-07 season.
Seeing the uniforms (with all the patches)
About what I expected. The numbers were 'ice blue'.... round 'kid-friendly' font.  However, whoever chose the numbers on the sleeves really didn't think. Black numbers on a black background??!!?? WTF. Early in the season, I rely on jersey numbers until I learn the mannerisms of the players over time to spot them a mile away... and now that they all wear visors, it's even harder to ID a player from across the rink. Let's hope they order up some white patches to correct the mistake.
Crowd control
Oh what a site... the ushers had signs to help slow the movement of fans while the clock is ticking. I didn't take the time to witness it being used during the game, but I'm sure it helped. Over time, most fans will learn it's not cool to get up or return from their seat while the game is underway. And for that, I say thanks to whomever finally made the decision to impliment it and thanks to all the fans who voiced their displeasure on the topic and made the team/arena react. The games will be that much more enjoyable now.
Food prices
I didn't do a full survey, but all the food I normally order from the BC was jacked up in price from their already ridiculous wallet-emptying levels. Basic nachos - $5, Deluxe nachos - $6.50, Cheeseburger - $6, (add a drink for $4). After already knowing that the proceeds of that money goes almost entirely to the Bucks to keep up with escalating NBA salary numbers, I'm going to resist contributing to the High School Dropouts Bling-Bling Fund until things change.
The team
Coach Noel changed up the line combinations throughout the night, and nothing seemed to work. I liked what I saw out of some individuals, but overall the team looked lost. They have 5 days off until their next game to build some team chemistry, or else we'll see the Wolves howling for joy on Friday the 13th.
In-game promotions
Not something I pay too much attention to, but I'll address it anyway. There are some kinks to work out, but that's to be expected on the first night out. Everyone involved will get more comfortable as the season progresses. The new woman on the mic... nothing personal (I'm sure she's a cool chick), but her voice doesn't work well over the PA system. A little annoying actually. (And no, I couldn't do better.) I imagine it's not easy finding someone willing and able to commit to that job, but I wonder if they auditioned people over the PA system, or if it was simply a desk interview.
The Admirals '24' story
I didn't catch the beginning, but a video clip was shown on the Jumbotron during intermission featuring the Admirals office staff acting to the theme from the TV show '24' which ends with 'To be continued'. John Bitter, Charlie Larson, Roscoe, and a few others act in a humorous skit to promote ticket sales. A little corny, but well-done and memorable. Thumbs up.
Overall, I'm trying to keep my head up. There are still 79 games left for the team to get things together for another playoff run. It may not happen, but there's still hope.
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| Recent user comments
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Clarkie writes...
Great site! Am a Buffalo transplant, having followed the Ads really closely for
the last few seasons. The opener was a shocker to me, only as it is odd to see
a Noel coached team with absolutely no cohesion or hint of chemistry. But, they
have just started paying together, and are new to this level for the most part.
Radulov had hints of greatness! But, his moves were more often than not half -
completed or timed not quite right. The guys seemed to not be communicating at
all. I was wondering about tension or attitude - then Noel talked on that the
next morning in the paper...enough said. I have never thought Goehring could be
an effective AHL/NHL netminder. He's just too little, does not cover enough
net, and is not fast enough to make up.
The Brown scrap was nice, but too late,
and down by too much to get involved in that. He 'gloved' the Ak - Sar - Ben
player, and was fourtunate the guy just didn't skate away from him, dropping
with him instead...Segal and Abid were nowhere to be found, and I mentioned to
my fiance that I thought Abid got sat down for a stretch in the second and
third periods, but without 'super stats' I have no idea of playing time.
I was distressed abit, Noel looked at times like he was in shock, at other
times in horror! We'll see come next Friday.
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Thanks for your observations, Clarkie. It's possible Abid was benched for a few shifts, but without NHL-calibur stats, I'm not positive. Every season, it takes time for the team to be a well-oiled machine, but it seems that the team was not nearly where they need to be... especially when compared with the Omaha team (which featured many new faces).
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(No name given) writes...
I would like to compliment the singer of the national anthem.
What a voice! I thought the Jumbotron would shatter when she hit the high note
at the end. It was the high point of the evening.
One of my fellow fans remarked that he thought the new logo was an homage to
Ed Gien. And yes, the new gal doing the promos has some work to do. She
needs to slow down her delivery so people can understand what she's yammering
about. I was just getting used to the gal who was doing it last year.
I'm afraid we're going to be in for a long, long season.
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I dunno about you, but I tend to tune out women when they talk really fast.
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Cheryl Barnett writes...
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I really like your web site.
It's full of great information and also entertaining. (I love the skull
mirrored logo)! While you've done a great job with the site and have included
your own calendar, I thought you might want to know that I've created and
shared a Google Calendar with the entire Admirals schedule that you're welcome
to link on your site. I don't have a web site and am not interested in
creating one, but thought it would be cool to share the calendar with other
Google Calendar users.
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It's always great to see Admiral fans take the time to put something online to show their support of the team. Thanks for sharing.
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New faces
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October 3, 2006
As with every new hockey season, there are several new players for us to learn about.
Ramzi Abid
26 year old forward. 6 pro seasons. 55 NHL games. 
He led the Chicago Wolves in scoring last year, but I'm put off by his penalty minute total. Hopefully, he remembers he's not playing for John Anderson anymore and keeps his head in the game and stays out of the box.
Robin Big Snake (10/4 Update - sent to Rockford)
22 year old forward. 1 pro season.
Our tough guy. Hands down. He spent last season in Rockford, racking up 423 penalty minutes in 66 games. He also scored 27 goals last season, so he's not a talentless goon.
Shane Endicott
24 year old forward. 5 pro seasons. 45 NHL games.
Was a second round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2000 and spent his whole pro career until now in that organization. I'm guessing he'll be a good second line player for Milwaukee. Last seen by Admiral fans being steamrolled by the 2004 Calder Cup champs.
Karl Goehring
28 year old goaltender. 5 pro seasons. 
He takes over as our #1 netminder as Pekka Rinne heals. Spent four years with Syracuse before playing in Finland and San Antonio last season. He's short... very short... almost scary short in this age of giant goaltenders.
Bracken Kearns (added 10/4)
25 year old forward. 1 pro season.
Played in Toledo last season, along with a one game callup to Cleveland. Most likely a depth player who will try to earn ice time by impressing the coaches early in the season.
Ville Koistinen
24 year old defenseman. 6 pro seasons. 
A true unknown, as he's coming to North America for the first time after a career in the Finnish league. For what it's worth, he looked smooth in preseason. Has a cannon from the blue line.
Pat Leahy
27 year old forward. 5 pro seasons. 49 NHL games.
Spent the last 4 seasons in the Bruins organization. From Massachussetts, he's spent his whole pro career close to home. He doesn't score much, so I'm assuming he's more of a defensive asset.
Alexander Radulov
20 year old forward. Rookie. 
CHL player of the year is sent to Milwaukee because Nashville has 14 forwards with one way contracts. He'll surely be called up the moment a Predator is hurt. Appreciate him while you can, because he's destined to be a mainstay in the NHL.
Scott Reid
29 year old goaltender. 5 pro seasons.
Last season was a breakthrough year for Scott, as he was called up to three different AHL clubs (including Milwaukee) from his CHL team in Corpus Christi. He'll backup Goehring.
Kim Staal
28 year old forward. 9 pro seasons. 
Drafted by Montreal in 1996, he has spent his entire pro career in the Swedish league. Nashville invited him to training camp on a tryout basis, and he quickly earned a contract from the Predators. He emerged as my favorite new player after training camp.
Victor Uchevatov (added 10/4)
23 year old defenseman. 5 pro seasons.
Went back home to Russia after being a healthy scratch in Rochester early last season and missed much of the season prior due to a broken foot.
John Vigilante
21 year old forward. Rookie.
You gotta love that name. He just graduated from a 4 year career playing Canadian junior hockey in Plymouth, where he was a consistent scorer. He looked ok in preseason, and will likely be a 2nd-3rd line player.
Daniel Widing
24 year old forward. 5(?) pro seasons. 
Another European veteran making his North American debut (along with Koistinen and Staal). I liked what I saw in preseason and figure he'll be on the first or second line.
Kelsey Wilson
20 year old forward. Rookie.
Signed on October 3 by Nashville.
Nolan Yonkman
25 year old defenseman. 5 pro seasons. 50 NHL games.
Big guy (6'6"). Hasn't scored since 02-03, but has only played 108 games in the last four seasons due to several injuries (knee, abdomen, broken wrist, hip, ribs).
Bryan Young (10/4 update - for some reason, he's not on the opening night roster)
20 year old defenseman. Rookie.
Milwaukee's only prospect from Edmonton just finished four years of junior hockey in Peterborough. In 219 OHL games, he has one goal and 267 penalty minutes.
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The boys are back in town
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October 1, 2006
The end of summer is always bittersweet for me. I have two passions in life... Milwaukee Admirals hockey and almost all forms of auto racing. Almost every weekend thoughout the summer, I travel to a race track (or two, or three) to take in some great racing action. Stock cars, sprint cars, midgets, Indy, etc. So far this year, I've experienced 33 events at 22 tracks in 5 states. I also extended my lifetime total of tracks visited to 59. Yep, I'm sad to see the summer end.
The racing and hockey seasons compliment each other, but there is an overlap in the spring. When I traveled to Hershey to see the Admirals vie for the Calder Cup in June, I went to races number 8 & 9. The end of September is a virtual end to the racing season in this area, at which time I change my focus toward the drop of the puck on the Admirals hockey season.
The most prominent thing on the mind of every Admirals fan this summer has been the introduction of the new colors and logo of the team. Revealed at a party on the Summerfest grounds two months ago, the new look generated many moans and groans from the faithful fanbase.
Until now, I haven't commented publicly on the new look. I quickly worked it into my site, but chose not to think much about it until the season approached. My reaction is fairly neutral. The new color scheme is growing on me, but I really liked the old colors. Navy and burgandy (with a touch of grey) went well together and were a unique combo in the world of sports. The old logo never won me over, and neither will the new one. If anything, I view the change as a lost opportunity to make something really special. End result - the change is not worth getting myself worked up over. I've accepted it and moved on with my life. The product on the ice is more important to me.
My thoughts on the team itself?? It could end up being a long season. Things might work out splendidly, but if you prepare for a downer of a season, it won't hurt as much if it happens. Every team suffers from time to time, and my vibe is this could be one of them.
Why am I pessimistic?? - The loss of goaltender Pekka Rinne until the All Star break and the uncertainty if he'll be the same when he returns and wondering if Karl Goehring is capable of keeping the team out of the loss column more often than not. I have faith that Coach Noel will keep the ship from sinking altogether, but there's not much he can do if the netminders do not perform up to par. Will Karl prove to us that he can get the job done? Fingers crossed.
I look forward to seeing the team gel in the coming months and (hopefully) giving us something to cheer about. From time to time, I will speak my mind on this page. I'll try not to be too harsh... but no promises.
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