Disclaimer - the words/graphics on this page do not reflect the views of anyone other than the moron who runs this site. If you're easily offended, go away.
|
Veterans Rule revisited
|
November 11, 2006
Today is Veteran's Day, a great day to brush up on the current state of the Admirals with the AHL's veteran limit rule.
The league does not allow a team to dress more than 5 skaters (goaltenders excluded) with more than 260 games experience (entering this season) in the AHL, NHL, IHL, or European elite leagues.
Currently the team has exactly five players who fit that mold:
Ramzi Abid (318), Sheldon Brookbank (282), Shane Endicott (337), Alex Henry (379), and Kim Staal (305)
Others such as Daniel Widing (249) and Pat Leahy (244) came in just under the limit, while Nolan Yonkman's rash of injuries in his career has kept his total low (175). If the team adds another veteran, then Coach Noel would have to scratch one of the players over the limit to adhere to the rule.
On a more serious note... I'd like to tip my hat to those who have served our country.
My dad was in the Navy and served in Vietnam when I was a young child. During his service, he was briefly stationed at the Great Lakes Naval base in Waukegan, IL, and when a job opportunity in the Midwest was offered to him in the late 70s, he moved our family to southeastern Wisconsin from our homeland of western Pennsylvania (where he lives now).
He doesn't talk about his time in the war often, but when he has, I've gained a wealth of perspective and insight on what it means to unselfishly serve our nation. Thanks dad.
|
|
Hit the road, Jack?
|
November 10, 2006
As I whip up this update, I'm listening to the Admirals second road game of the year on the Grand Rapids online radio feed (AM 1290 was airing Marquette basketball). And just as in the first Admiral road game about a month ago, I've heard criticism of the Admiral road color scheme as being hard to read.
(photo courtesy of wolfkeeper.org)
Statisticians in the Chicago upper deck had trouble reading jersey numbers, and the Griffins radio team politely explained their difficulties in calling the game and offered their suggestion to make the numbers more visible. After seeing the team change up the nameplates after a handful of home games, I wonder if a change in number patches is being contemplated. If not, it needs to be.
Well, last night's game. I saw about three or four players with their worst performance of the season, and fortunately troubled goaltender Karl Goehring was not one of them. While not perfect, he looked more comfortable than a pair of meltdowns in early October. Albany escaped with a 3-2 victory, scoring all of their goals in the second period.
It was refreshing to hear Greg Zanon leading the team with his trademark ingame vocals... directing his teammates on what to do, even though he was on the ice for the first time with many of these players. NHL players on conditioning assignments often just try to fit in and get in better game shape, but Greg was giving a full effort. It was too bad he couldn't have been paired up with his old linemate Kevin Klein, who was the odd man out when Zanon was inserted into the lineup. Klein's smart defensive play could've affected the outcome of last night's game.
| Recent user comments
|
Clarkie writes...
Well, after having a good sleep, I think that I have more clear thoughts on
last night's game, as opposed to my 'right after the game rant'...Well, I don't
have much to say. Watched the game on B2, did not have a lot of perspective on
the 'whole ice', but from the puck I saw not much to get excited about. 4 - 6
Albany, I thought, would be great pickins' for Radu. Not so much. An assist on
Ramzi Abid's first period goal. Deflection. Albany's Keith Aucoin had his
second consecutive three point night...that Willis kid is good too, a couple of
goals. We just look like there is no cohesion to the unit at all. That Goehring
kid is terrible in net. Perhaps servicable as a backup as he has experience,
but I still just don't think he covers enough net...Zanon still doesn't do
anything for me.
That's it. Off to work now...Ads now play 35 games in 67 nights. Ads play
tonight in Grand Rapids, and back home tomorrow for a 1:30 vs. Peoria. [That 6
hour bus ride back from Michigan, and an afternoon game the next day has to
stink!]
|
Radulov tried to set up his teammates on several occasions... being incredibly patient at times without giving the puck up in the process. He was (perhaps selfishly) playing double shifts late in the game, but he was making more happen than most of his teammates, so I don't blame him for wanting to be on the ice more. Not a whole lot to get excited about right now, but perhaps things will change once the team begins the daily grind of playing 4-5 times a week.
|
|
Mitch writes about the ticket scalpers...
I try to sell those dudes my ticket every game. They come up to me,
"Ya'll got any extras?" (Keep in mind I often walk into the building alone, and
ya'll is plural) I always respond, "I'll sell you this one!" About 3 of those
guys' ears pop up. "How much?" They ask eagerly. I respond smuggly, "1 million
dollars." And they all walk away calling me a "stupid honky!".
But game after game they come up to me and ask if we wanna sell some tickets.
It's just a very funny start to gameday experience, It's all I've ever known.
If the police take that away from me, it would be like taking a part of me...
|
I like it... not a bad angle of dealing with those losers. I'll have to think of something along those lines to keep them from getting under my skin.
As I was walking up to last night's game, one of them was hollering at the incoming crowd that he had front row tickets at center ice. I hollered back at him that row 'A' at center ice is the bench and the penalty box... and those tickets don't exist at the BC (note - some NHL rinks have recently added 2-3 big $ seats between the benches, an idea that Milwaukee ought to consider). It didn't phase him.
How do those guys make enough money to make it worth their time to do this game after game? There's certainly more supply than demand for decent hockey tickets in this town.
|
|
Rats!!
|
November 6, 2006
We, the hockey fans of southeastern Wisconsin, will get a rare chance to see an Eastern conference foe this Thursday at the BC. Thanks to the piss-poor unbalanced schedule that the AHL produces, we only get this chance about once a year. And this time, we will see the first ever contest between the Albany River Rats and our Admirals.
It should be noted that in 1990-91, Albany had an IHL team (the Albany Choppers), which lasted less than one season (55 games). Coached by Dave Allison, the team folded due to nearby AHL competition and a hefty travel budget. I'm not sure if the Choppers and Admirals ever faced off against each other (probably), but I did read that the team died just before a road trip to Milwaukee was to occur.
The River Rats have been around since 1993 and won the Calder Cup in their second season. For the most part, times have been gloomy for the franchise, as they have suffered losing records for the past 7 seasons. Currently, they are 4-6-1. Until this season, they have been the farm club of the New Jersey Devils, who moved their prospects to Lowell this past summer. Now, the Rats are the farm club for the Carolina Hurricanes and also have a partial affiliation with the Colorado Avalanche.
So, all of you casual hockey fans who hit a game every once in awhile... don't miss this one. It may be more than 10 years before we see Albany here again. Unfortunately, this was scheduled on a weeknight and will likely be the smallest crowd of the season.
Here's a quick rundown of the Rats roster:
Veterans
Brad Isbister - 481 NHL games with the Islanders, Oilers, Coyotes, and Bruins
Shane Willis - 176 NHL games with the Hurricanes and Lightning
Jesse Boulerice - 165 NHL games with the Hurricanes, Blues, and Flyers
Stephen Peat - 130 NHL games with the Capitals
Keith Aucoin - 28 year old minor league journeyman, played with Cincy in '04
David Gove - another 28 year old minor league journeyman (Utah, San Antonio, Grand Rapids, Orlando, etc.)
Ben Guite - yet another 28 year old journeyman (two seasons with Cincinnati)
Derrick Walser - one more 28 year old journeyman
Others familiar to Ads fans?
Pat Dwyer - was a Chicago Wolf last season
Tim Conboy - former Cleveland defenseman
Jeff Finger - former Green Bay Gambler
Matt Murley - member of the '04 WBS Penguins who were swept by Milwaukee in the Calder Cup Final
Ryan Bayda - recently sent down by Carolina, scored 13 goals in 59 games with Manitoba last season
Goalies
Tyler Weiman - after a so-so junior career, he has climbed from the CHL, ECHL, and now the AHL in the last 2+ seasons.
Justin Peters - rookie splitting time with Weiman... has better numbers, but a worse record
Coaching staff
Tom Rowe - GM and head coach, played 360 NHL games with the Capitals, Whalers, and Red Wings
Joe Sacco - assistant coach, played 764 NHL games with the Mighty Ducks, Capitals, Islanders, Maple Leafs, and Flyers
This tandem coached Lowell to a 29-37-6-8 record last season.
Ok... time for me to vent.
 Can I please walk into the Bradley Center without being pestered by scalpers?!? Please. They annoy the hell out of me and drag down my gameday experience. Pretty much the same guys at each game, so it wouldn't take much for the BC and the Milwaukee police to put a temporary stop to it. I wonder if the BC is scared to do anything about it after negative publicity from an overzealous police sting in 2001.
I missed seeing the first goal in the last game because of late arrivals being shown their seat by the usher while the game was underway. I was pondering if a later start time might help eliminate 'late arrivals', but the more I thought about it, they could start the games at midnight, and you'd still see people walking in at a quarter after.
|
| Recent user comments
|
Clarkie writes...
I am kind of irritated. My computer is acting funny - and the Ads are
acting funny! I kept telling my lady tonight that they Will find a way to lose.
And they did...3 - 2 in overtime. With ten seconds left in regulation, a point
desperately needed to go 3 -3 in this terrible schedule of having played half
the games all the other teams have played thus far...they had Brookbank/Klein
on D, and Segal, Peverly, and Abid on the line...so we know who are the guys
that Claude trusts to be out there at the brink...The Ads outplayed the 7 - 2
Stars for 30 good minutes, but we cannot, for the life of them, ever get a two
goal lead on anyone! Frustrating.
Reid has been good in net, but it seems like
he 'freaks out' when staring at a quality chance. He almost reached the
blueline on a Stars breakaway to poke the puck from the stick of the Stars
forward...lucky they did not score on the wide open net he left out there...and
he flails his arms and dives all over the place like the goalie in Slap Shot
for the Chiefs! (I'm NOT disparaging the guy, but it just looks strange...)
Ramzi Abid? He is skating all over the place like a ballerina, and eludes the
defense - but then does nothing with the puck! Behind the goal, skate to the
blueline, etc...but no shots! I don't get it. At any rate, I know that we are
not a good team, and that Noel's coaching is at least making them look
respectable. They play physical...a great thing. They seem to actually like
playing with one another. And, they are staying close in games with decent
teams, even though they have not played enough to gel at all. They play 35
games in 67 days coming up...We'll see if they can 'streak', in a good way, and
how good - or bad - they really are..
|
I'll defend Reid this time. I know many people hate to see goalies get far from their crease, but I'm not opposed to a (competent) netminder charging out to break up a play when his defensemen are absolutely smoked on the play. He did a great job at breaking up the play, but was too slow in getting back.
And I too had a sneaky feeling about losing even with a 2-1 lead. When it seemed like nothing much was happening in the OT, I began pondering our chances in a shootout, but then the turnover in the neutral zone gave Iowa a clean break into our end and ultimately the game winner. With Radulov coming back today, let's hope this team steps it up a notch as they approach the upcoming stretch of road games.
|
|
Numbers
|
November 2, 2006
Here's a graphic that you can copy and use as you wish that I made showing examples of the numbers on the back of the uniforms.
I shrunk them down and made small graphics on the players page of my site. Thanks to Joseph Houk for pointing out to me a few weeks ago that the team is using a standard Mac font (Techno) for their new look - from the main logo, the jersey name patches, and the numbers.
In other recent web site updates - I added TV games to the calendar page, and I added several images to the history section (game programs, etc.). Visitors to the photos page may also have noticed that I've used a slideshow script for the newest photos I've taken. I'm not planning to convert the older photo pages to that format.
Onmilwaukee.com published an interview with Harris Turer, in which we get to know a little more about the background of the Admirals owner. That site has been critical of the new logo in recent weeks, but they didn't bring it up in that interview.
|
| Recent user comments
|
Green Bay Gamblers Fan writes...
As for attendance: It always rises after the first of the year. I am
also disappointed with the new logo. I am satisfied with their givaways this
year but disappointed that they draw only 3500 for a givaway for the first 5000
fans. It is nice that they will have country music night again this year. How
about 80s rock night. Maybe bring back Eddie Money or Rick Springfield. Maybe
bring somebody new like Air Supply or Night Ranger. I think the Admirals will
be here for many years to come.
|
Agree to 80s rock, but please, please, please, no 80s pop. I'd wind up in jail if we see someone like Boy George perform at a game. Better yet... 80s metal. Twisted Sister, Ratt, Quiet Riot. Have no idea if any of those bands are still together, but it would bring out a rowdy crowd.
|
Harley Farkle writes...
In regards to lack of attendance at Ads games, it is not because of
them being lazy. They have been working feverishly to get more "younger" fans
by updating the logo and the never say die billboard campagain. I have NHL
Center Ice and the attendance in the big league is down as there are many open
seats as well. They are even doing "grass roots" marketing too = Ads players
skating with youth hockey clubs and mini camps.
As you all know, the 400 section seats are unoccupied at all the games at the
BC. When they had the sell out, they were selling the seats for a couple of
bucks to fill the venue. Maybe they should have a few "Uecker Seat" Nights
offering those upper level seats for $5 each.
I'm going to Nashville in 2 weeks and I talked to Jason in the front office.
He said that they are having a "Hockey Happy Hour" with $2 beers an hour before
the game. I'm sure that type of promo would draw lots of prospective fans!
|
A cheap upper deck ticket price promotion would bring more people to the games... the downside, many of those people would simply move down to the lower level (I've done it years ago). While I enjoy the freedom we have at the BC to sit in an unoccupied area without having my ticket checked by an usher (I like having elbow room), that would have to happen to keep existing lower bowl ticket sales where they normally are. And two bucks a beer is ok... but a great hockey beer promo would cost half that. Have fun in Nashville... the team is beginning to look like Cup contenders.
|
|
EMail bag
|
October 30, 2006
I don't expect to have much new to write about for the next week while the team takes another long break before their next game, so I'll update this space with your comments throughout the week.
Before I get to that, I'd like to recommend reading the blog on the team's official site by radio announcer Aaron Sims (if you don't already). He's been adding to it every 4-8 days this season, and it's a good read.
Jack writes...
As a college student, I usally don't have the time or money to make it
out to more than 10 Admirals games per season. I regularly follow the team,
but cannot be there in person all the time. So as I made my first appearance
to the BC on October 28th I have to say that I was very disappointed with the
lack of results I've seen in promoting the Admirals. I know it will probably
take time to get back up to the attendance numbers of the mid-90s, but I
thought that Ads management spent last season devising a plan to launch the new
uniforms this summer, create a PR, Advertising, and media frenzy, and utilize
these things to get people back out to the Bradley Center. So far I'm
disappointed in the results, so frustrated, I don't know if I even feel like
coming back myself for a long while. I want to get that stadium rockin for
hockey, and I had hope that it would happen and it would be something that
would excite us all. So far, I'm nothing but disappointed.
What can be done? Will the new management TRULY save the Admirals? Why haven't
we been able to see more results?
|
I believe that rebuilding the fanbase is a slower process than what we'd all like to see. The new ownership group did improve attendance numbers in year one (with or without the phantom sellout in April), and I believe that this year could surpass last year, but we'll have to wait and see.
One thing to remember, the attendance numbers are always much smaller in the first few months than the last few. Why?... 1. Many football fans switch their focus to hockey after the NFL season is over. 2. Groups have more time to plan for a later season outing than they do early on. 3. The team's biggest crowd drawing promotions (concerts, etc.) are in the last half of the year.
Your message reminded me of my time in college... hitting Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks games with the gang from my dorm at DePaul in the early 90s. Good times. For the BC crowd to really rock, we need more college kids showing up. It wouldn't be a bad idea for the team to hit up the local campuses with ticket coupons to get more cash strapped kids at the games.
|
OmahaKnightsFan writes...
The pic with Couture was funny... Not taking anything away from that.
Just wanted it known that he was fighting someone that didn't drop their hat
(which is common courtesy now that EVERYONE has a face sheild). Hell... I'd
fight Tyson if I could wear a crash helmet with a shield...hahaha
Anyway... great game. You guys have really stepped it up since the last time
we played you. I also don't like the fact that you've played so few games so
early in the season... hard to get the team gellin' with the low game count.
|
I agree that Brookbank should've dropped his brain-bucket sooner, but in watching the replay of that fight... something set him off... something said or done, who knows... but he was throwing jabs before he got his own gloves off. He hasn't used a visor before, and this was his first fight of the season, so I'm guessing Brookbank hasn't gotten in the habit of following the new prefight routine. I was hoping we would see someone take on Brandon Prust to follow up that first bout.
Glad you enjoyed your trip to Milwaukee. You guys have an impressive team... you better hope that Calgary stays healthy.
|
|
PEZ writes...
I like your website, I check in regularly. Keep up the good work!
First, put on your coaching hat, if you are coaching against this seasons
Milwaukee Admirals without Radulov, what lines would you try to match up with
or would you just role four lines?
Also, is Kim Staal injured? He hasn't played the last few games, I thought he
could bring some offense.
I think the Admirals do a great job with the Center Ice show, too bad not a lot
of people can hear it. It's pretty cool to listen to Hockey talk in Milwaukee.
Go Admirals!
|
Hey, thanks for the kind words about my site... I do what I have time for. As for Kim Staal, I don't believe he is injured... at least he didn't look injured bopping around to a Johnny Cash song at the pumpkin carving event at Whitefish Bay on Thursday, but it's hard to tell. Unfortunately, the team has never been open to listing minor injuries, instead leaving their fans in the dark.
As for coaching against the Admirals? Wow. First, I would hope to have a roster full of the best ex-Admirals at my disposal (Haydar, Flaherty, Darche, Murhpy, W. Smith, etc.). Second, I would put pressure on the puckhandler on the Admiral power play and make them cough it up before they can set anything up (works for Omaha this year). Third, against the Yonkman/Henry pairing, I would put my speediest wingers on a designed dump and chase to gain the zone, as they are tough to bring the puck in against. Fourth, if things don't go my way... goon it up!! At least I'll be entertained if I don't get a W.
|
|
Add this to the water bottles
|
 October 29, 2006
After a 2-1 loss to Omaha last night, Coach Noel put much of the blame for the Admirals recent performances on the soft schedule given to his team (only 6 games in the first 36 days of the season), which has made his team rusty. Perhaps he's right... but I believe that if the plan of attack isn't working, adjustments can be made.
If I were the coach (please, hold your laughter down), after seeing our attack scheme stymied time and time again by the Omaha defense, who cut off the passing lanes and won most battles for the puck, I'd change it up to a 'crash the net and see what happens' game. With only 9 shots in the first 40 minutes, it was painfully obvious that we were not going to get a freebie from Culvers. The lone Milwaukee goal came from a play that wasn't 'set up'... Peverley let one loose and Segal was there for the rebound.
But some things were working very well. The team stayed out of the penalty box, allowing only two power play opportunities for the Knights. Milwaukee now leads the league in penalty killing with a 92% success rate. On the flip side, the Admiral power play ranks 22nd (of 27). Milwaukee's defense performed about as well as Omaha's, allowing only 19 shots... one of which skipped off the post into the net to give the Knights an early 1-0 lead.
Despite the loss, I left somewhat satisfied... even though I had to listen to some whiny morons sitting near me all night - complaining that the game was 'boring' and claiming that Omaha's second goal didn't go in. The Admirals were in the game until the end, unlike the first meeting between these two teams. I met a nice group of Omaha fans who made the trip to support their team, and all of the Halloween costumes in the crowd helped to lighten the mood.
And now another 6 day stretch between games...
|
| Recent user comments
|
Steve writes...
I was disappointed with the crowd as well. I thought with a new
ownership group we'd be seeing much more advertising in the community but so
far it seems like not much has changed since last year. With a new logo you'd
think they'd be all over the city with billboards, tv commercials, radio
commercials, etc. What gives? What do you think the ownership should do in
terms of advertising? I've heard some promos on 102.1FM but that's about it. I
think they need to spend some money and get some ads on TV promoting the
upcoming promotions.
|
Perhaps they're waiting for this dry spell in the schedule to pass before spending the bucks to advertise. Still, I believe there are enough casual hockey fans in this area who do not need advertising to tell them there was a game last Friday with no apparent widespread reason to stay home.
|
Clarkie writes...
Well, I cannot say that I was dissapointed with the loss. Yes, upset that we
lost, but, no - we played okay in a tight checking game. That is the game that
Omaha employs. A lot of neutral zone trap, one man up, two in the middle and
two back...We don't know one another very well yet - meaning Ads and Ads. Too
much passing, not enough shots on goal (i.e. good things happen when you shoot
the puck!)
Brandon Segal has really stepped up his play. He is the 'senior'
(four seasons, the last 'Calder Cup' Ad) on campus, and in many ways is trying
to play the 'BMOC' ('big man on campus') and for Claude (Noel) that should be a
good thing. Hitting hard, and pinching in at the boards on every play. He,
Peverly, and Abid were double shifted most of the game. I have been
dissapointed in Ramzi. Got his 100the AHL goal in CHI - town the other night.
But, he has not been hustling and looking 'spectacular' like I think he should
- at this level.
Admirals played really well physically, hitting well. Young
and Yonkman ARE a physcial presense (although the fans got on Nolan a little
bit, thinking he did not use his body enough). Henry was serviceable. What can
I say about Sheldon (Brookbank)? He is trying to be the 'heart and soul', and
with the fight in the second with Couture (NOT UFC tough guy Randy!) he showed
that he is the leader of this team...)
Good outing, but it is clear that only playing 5 games in the time that most
AHL clubs have played 9 or 10 is a detriment. We don't know one another well
enough to trust the other in the offensive zone...We'll see Friday vs.
Iowa...The reason we stayed 'in' with a good team like Omaha was not so much
the talent that has learned to gel and play well together - but that it is a
Noel coached team...Thoughts?
|
You and I are pretty much on the same page again. I have faith in Coach Noel, but as I stated, an adjustment in the offensive zone should have been made much sooner in the game. As for Yonkman not throwing his weight around... could be due to his long history of injuries. I like the way he's playing, and although I would love to see him rattle the boards with a speedy winger more often, I understand why he may be reluctant in doing so. And bringing up the UFC's Randy Couture makes me wonder if hockey's tough guys may someday use elements of mixed martial arts in their craft... throwing elbows and knees (but no foot stomps or high kicks... LOL)
|
|
