AHL Milwaukee Admirals

Admirals Take on Cincinnati Thursday

Published on October 20, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Milwaukee Admirals News Release


VS. MIGHTY DUCKS...The Admirals and Mighty Ducks face-off in single games at each other's home building. Thrusday night Cincinnati makes its first of four season appearances at the Bradley Center. The two teams bus overnight to Cincinnati for a game Friday night at the Cincinnati Gardens. The Admirals are in search of their first win at the Cincinnati Gardens since entering the AHL. Milwaukee played games at the Cincinnati Gardens against the Cincinnati Cyclones of the IHL from 1992-97. The Milwaukee franchise has not recorded a win at the Gardens in either league since April 5, 1996 when they beat the now defunct Cyclones 5-3. All-time against the Ducks, Milwaukee is 2-4-5-1 in twelve meetings. Seven of the 12 games have gone into overtime with five of them ending in ties. Milwaukee is 1-1-5 in the seven OT tilts. In Cincy, the Admirals are 0-3-3-0 all-time against the Ducks. At the Bradley Center they are 2-1-2-1 all-time against Cincinnati. Last season Milwaukee was 1-0-2-0 at the Bradley Center and 0-2-1-0 in Cincinnati.

ROSTER REVISIONS...The Nashville Predators reassigned defenseman/LW Mike Farrell to Milwaukee on Monday. The former Portland Pirate was recalled by Nashville for Sunday's game against the Blackhawks in Chicago. Nashville also has recalled defenseman Andrew Hutchinson from Milwaukee. The former Michigan State blueliner made his NHL debut Saturday night against Columbus in Nashville.

MORE MURPHY MAGIC?...Just a four months ago Admirals' defenseman Curtis Murphy was celebrating a Calder Cup Championship with the Aeros. The AHL's Defenseman of the Year played for the Calder Cup Champion Houston Aeros last season and for the IHL's Turner Cup Champion Orlando Solar Bears in 2001. He was also a member of an NCAA Championship team while at the University of North Dakota. Murphy was named a First Team AHL All-Star and led all AHL blueliners in goals scored (23) last season . Murphy's eventful season also included his NHL debut with Minnesota.

SCORING MACHINES...The current Admirals' roster includes five players who scored more than 20 AHL goals last season. Greg Classen (20), Darren Haydar (29) and Wyatt Smith (24) reached the milestone for the Admirals last season while Murphy (23) and Mathieu Darche (32) eclipsed the 20-goal mark with Houston and Syracuse respectively. Getting it done at other levels were Timofei Shishkanov (36) for Quebec (QMJHL), and Scottie Upshall (25) for Kamloops (WHL).

YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST...Rookies Timofei Shishkanov and Libor Pivko notched their first professional goals in the Admirals' first two games. Shishkanov's goal Wednesday against the Moose enabled the team to earn a tie. Pivko scored his first marker 10/10 in the win over Toronto and took the team lead in goals scored with his second tally Friday night against Houston. Four of the five Admirals to score goals so far this season were first-time Admirals' goal scorers. The only repeat performer was Scottie Upshall who tallied a goal late last season.

NOEL CONTINUES COACHING STREAK...When Admirals' Head Coach Claude Noel led his team to a 4-3 win over Toronto 10/10, he extended the Admirals coaching debut streak to six straight. Since Curt Fraser scored a win his debut in 1992, each new coach that has taken over the team has been an opening night winner. Current GM Phil Wittliff scored a victory in his return to the bench in 1994, Al Sims was the opening night winner in 1997, Dave Allison captured some Bradley Center magic with a 5-4 shootout win over the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2000 and Peter Horachek won his only Admirals season opener last year when the team beat San Antonio 6-2. The last Admirals' coach to lose his debut was Jack McIlhargey when his 1991-92 team dropped a 7-3 decision to Peoria

FINLEY FILE...Despite giving up five goals against Houston on Friday, goaltender Brian Finley has opened the season playing well in goal for the Admirals. He made 40 saves in the loss on Friday and has a season save percentage of .916 to go along with a 1-1-1 record and 2.92 goals against average. Last year, Finley scored one of his two shutouts against the Aeros when he blanked them 3-0 on January 17th at the Bradley Center. Last year, Finley was 7-11-2 with a 2.93 GAA and .893 save percentage in 22 games with Milwaukee. He also made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators on New Year's Day against Colorado

OVER THE AIR AND ON THE WEB...The Admirals begin their second season in a broadcast partnership with Joy1340 and SportsJuice.com. Fans will be able to hear all 80 games live on WJYI and via the internet on SportsJuice.com. Web listeners can listen to the games from anywhere in the world through a link on the Admirals website (www.milwaukeeadmirals.com).

THIS WEEK
HOME
THURSDAY OCTOBER 23rd vs. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 7:00pm
ROAD
Friday October 24th @ Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 6:30pm
****Hear all of the Admirals' games on Joy1340 (1340am) and on the Internet at www.sportsjuice.com****

Check out the Milwaukee Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2003


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