Milwaukee Admirals 3, Chicago Wolves 5: Admirals Drop Fourth Straight

The Milwaukee Admirals have 19 points on the season and lead the AHL Central Division. The Chicago Wolves were in town for an afternoon tilt at Panther Arena. (Note: I think it’s awesome that these “school day” games allow local school kids to come out and see some minor league hockey.)

Anthony Richard remains injured. Rocco Grimaldi is on the road trip with Nashville. Filip Pyrochta and Tanner Jeannot were scratched.

The Admirals must have read Tuesday’s Milwaukee Musings. They played with renewed intensity to begin the game against the Wolves. There were plenty of checks and tons of speed from a team that looked a little lethargic last week.

Matt Donovan took the first penalty for the Admirals at 4:16 of the first. The Admirals kill looked ok for the first 20 seconds or so, but after a bit of discombobulation, Daniel Carr was able to put home a rebound for the Wolves on the power play.

Yakov Trenin was able to draw a penalty on a partial breakaway for the first Milwaukee power play of the game. However, just like the big club, the Ads were unable to get anything going in the offensive zone. The good guys went right back on the power play shortly after, but again could not generate any form of offense. The Wolves quickly added another, again from Carr.

Shortly after puck drop in the second period, Yakov Trenin and Jarred Tinordi found themselves on a breakaway. Tinordi was able to bury a perfect feed from Trenin and Zachary Magwood. The Wolves took an untimely penalty on a 4-on-4 and the Admirals potted another goal while 4-on-3 from Colin Blackwell.

The Admirals were able to successfully kill a penalty to Jarred Tinordi about midway through the first period, but Tinordi once again took a trip to the box about 3 minutes later. Penalties threatened to sink Milwaukee in this game. Daniel Carr scored his third goal of the game to put the Wolves up 3-2 on the power play at the end of the second period. Milwaukee was lucky to escape the second period down only a goal.

The Admirals had two early power plays in the beginning of the third period. They were able to capitalize with a slap shot from Matt Donovan.

The Wolves answered with two quick goals…including another from Daniel Carr. The Admirals didn’t have any response after Chicago’s fourth and fifth in the third period. They seemed like zombies skating up and down the ice. This is their fourth loss in a row, although they dropped last Friday’s game in overtime to Rockford.

Random Observations

• The middle school band playing “God Bless America” is appropriately adorable. So many wandering trumpet “melodies”.
• The elementary school kids singing the national anthem are even more adorable.
• Because of the way the AHL is organized, the Admirals and the Chicago Wolves see each other 12 times this season. The Wolves are Vegas’s AHL club.
• The Admirals’ penalty kill is perfect at home.
• The Admirals’ penalty kill is no longer perfect at home. 1-0 Wolves.
• The Admirals are 1-for-27 on the power play. Sound familiar?
• Another Wolves goal and the Admirals look lifeless.
• Jarred Tinordi answers! Oh my!
• 4-on-4! 4-on-3! All the penalties! Will this game be won because of power plays?
• 4-on-3! A POWER PLAY GOAL!!!
• Eeli Tolvanen’s feed to Colin Blackwell for Milwaukee’s second goal was absolutely gorgeous.
• The second period penalty kill while Tinordi was in the box was massive. Momentum for the Admirals?
• Can Jarred Tinordi stay out of the sin bin? Jeez.
• Oh look, another penalty. This time to Blackwell.
• Oh look, another penalty. This time to Joonas Lyytinen.
• The Wolves were found guilty of a faceoff violation and the penalty was quickly cancelled. More 4-on-4 time!
• Holy crap Daniel Carr!!!!! That’s number four.
• The Ads do not look like the Central-leading team they are.
• Lifeless zombie hockey.
• Troy Grosenick on the bench.
• The Admirals have dropped four straight games. They have to figure things out…and fast.

Super Duper Stars of the Game

1. Daniel Carr: The Canadiens draft pick did not receive a qualifying offer from the Habs and signed a deal with Vegas in July 2018. He had four goals tonight and absolutely wrecked the Admirals at any chance.
2. Matt Donovan: Donovan is probably a better choice for captain than Jarred Tinordi but that’s just my opinion. Donovan leads with pure effort nearly every shift.
3. Colin Blackwell: A power play wrister gave the Admirals some life in the second period. Unfortunately, this momentum wouldn’t last.

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