Independent GP W L T GF GA
Milwaukee Admirals 24 11 12 1 167 117
The Admirals also hosted a postseason invitational tournament.
Lost 4-2 to the Detroit Oak Leafs
Won the consolation game against the Calumet Wolverines 4-3
The St. Paul Bruins won the tournament.
General Manager - Barney Loomis (player/GM)
Head Coach - John Chandik
# Player Name G A Pts
17 Phil Caruso 23 23 46
18 Sandy McAndrew
11 Paul Doud 23 13 33
16 Tony Scozzafave
1 Jim Ruzas (g)
5 Norman Rand
9 Jim Paull
Duke Nettle
6 Tony Metro
3 Rick Mateer
2 Bill Marsh
Dave Leskinen
15 Dale Kennedy
10 Tom Yockey
7 Reijo Vuorinen
35 Tim Janoska (g)
12 Jim Fowler
6 Roy Salmela
Bob Frerker (g)
8 Chuck Kennedy
13 Bill Budris
14 Ron Katalin
4 Barney Loomis
Off the ice, the team tried to get a franchise in the World Hockey Association, an upstart rival league of the NHL. One hurdle to getting the franchise was having a suitable arena. Despite the team's attempts at planning a new arena, they were passed over for membership in the inaugural 1972-73 WHA season.
The Admirals played this entire season on home ice. After playing every home game at the Wilson Park rink since the team was formed, they played their first ever games at the Milwaukee Arena (known today as the U.S. Cellular Arena) on December 9 and January 6.
In preseason practices, the team suffered injuries to Dale Kennedy (broken wrist) and goaltender Tim Janoska (deep cut on forehead).
October 30
4-1 win over the Chicago Cardinals. Newcomer Phil Caruso suffered a rib injury. Milwaukee goaltender Jim Ruzas earned his first victory as an Admiral.
scorers - Rand, Doud, Nettle, Katalin
record: 1-0
November 6
vs. University of Wisconsin
6-4 loss.
Wisconsin dressed a lineup of underclassmen and reserve players. After Milwaukee took off to a 3-0 lead, UW rallied with five third period goals in a come-from-behind effort. Coach Chandik blamed his team running out of gas late due to only having one night of ice time per week to practice. The third period featued a ten minute long donnybrook, after which Milwaukee's Duke Nettle and UW's Ernie Blackburn were ejected from the game. Wisconsin's Dean Talafous was ejected in the second period after a fight.
record: 1-1
November 13
8-6 win vs. St. Paul Bruins
Milwaukee scored twice in the final 27 seconds to seal the victory. Jim Ruzas stopped 38 shots to get his 2nd win in as many starts.
scorers - Nettle (2), C. Kennedy, Vuorinen, Doud, Metro, Budris, Caruso
record: 2-1
November 20
win vs. Detroit Oak Leafs
record: 3-1
November 27
win vs. Fort Wayne Komets
record: 4-1
December 4
loss vs. St. Paul Parkers
record: 4-2
December 9 at Milwaukee Arena (Thursday night)
5-2 loss vs. Green Bay Bobcats
This was the Admirals first home game away from the Wilson Park rink. The previous hockey game held at the Arena was two years prior when the University of Wisconsin hosted Notre Dame. Green Bay came to the game with the best record in the United States Hockey League (USHL) at 8-1-2. The crowd of 5100 fans more than doubled the maximum crowd size of their usual home rink at Wilson Park.
The game was tied until Green Bay scored the first of three goals in the final 3:03 of the game. Jim Ruzas stopped 49 shots. Green Bay outshot Milwaukee 54-26.
scorers - Katalin, McAndrew
record: 4-3
December 11
10-9 loss vs. Guenther Builders (Ann Arbor, MI).
Guenther skated with only 11 players. Milwaukee held a 3-1 lead early, but fell behind 7-4 late in the 2nd period. The Admirals rallied with four unanswered goals to take the lead, but Ann Arbor fought back with three straight goals in the third period. Bob Frerker stopped 43 shots for the Admirals.
scorers - Vuorinen (2), Metro, Caruso, Katalin, C. Kennedy, McAndrew, D. Kennedy, Nettle
record: 4-4
December 18
vs. Minneapolis Venetians
January 6 at Milwaukee Arena
vs TBA
January 8
vs. St. Paul Bruins
January 15
vs. Marquette Iron Rangers
January 22
vs. Rochester Mustangs
January 29
vs. St. Paul Parkers
February 5
vs. Portage Lake Flyers
February 12
vs. Minneapolis Venetians
February 19
vs. Marquette Iron Rangers
February 26
vs. Detroit Oak Leafs
February 27
vs. Detroit Oak Leafs
March 4
vs. Rochester Mustangs
March 11
vs. St. Louis Stars
March 18
vs. Soo Canadian Flyers (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario)
March 19
vs. Soo Canadian Flyers (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario)
March 25
vs. Minneapois Venetians
April 1
vs. Chicago Cardinals
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1971-72
