Photo: Sarah Fuqua/flickr

Now that everyone has had a week away from the game, or at least from obsessively watching Nashville Predators games, it’s time to check in and see what the boys in blue and gold have been up to.

First and foremost, congratulations to Patric Hornqvist on signing a five year contract with the Predators. Despite being a last round draft pick, he has been the first Predator draft to score more than thirty goals in a season and has been consistent in his scoring ability. The Predators announced that over the next five years Hornqvist will receive over $21 million. Talk about a payload.

To throw out some more signing news, prospect Marek Mazanec, drafted in 2012, has been signed to a two year contract that will likely send him to Milwaukee for next season.

On a less happy note, the NHL has announced that goalie Pekka Rinne has foregone the normal off season practice of heading to Finland to play goalie in the world championships and is instead recovering from hip surgery. He is expected to have recovered within about four months. Pretty much just in time to start training for next season. But don’t let that weigh on you Peks, just feel better!

To end on a note from Milwaukee, the Admirals put up a good fight in the Calder Cup Playoffs, but ran into trouble against the Texas Stars in the first round. The Ads went down three to one in the series to end the season, but put up one heck of a fight in the final game to go out strong. Best of luck next season Ads!

Hellberg with goalie of the month! (Photo: Sarah Fuqua/flickr)

The last time Hockey Tonkin’ checked in on the Milwaukee Admirals, well to honest, it’s been long enough that this girl has forgotten what was happening! Either way, the Admirals have been running at about half and half in their games, now sitting pretty in fourth place in their division. But at least some of the Predator draftees have made headway with their careers!

Are changes on the way to wake up this record? » Continue reading “What’s Up With Milwaukee?”

Tall, blonde, and goalie seem to be a Predators organization trend. (Photo: Sarah Fuqua/flickr)

After a disappointing weekend in Nashville, taking a look at the Milwaukee Admirals seems like a good idea to lift everyone’s spirits. Even better, the Admirals have just come off of a win against the Peoria Rivermen, and a shutout win at that.

Take note Predators, your farm team has outdone you. » Continue reading “Milwaukee Admirals Look To Keep A Win Streak”

Bourque knows what’s up in both Smashville and Milwaukee. (Photo: Dinur Blum/flickr)

The Milwaukee Admirals are about half way through their season, and quite honestly looking a little like the Predators when it comes to their win-loss record. Forty-three games into the season, the Admirals are sitting pretty in fourth place in the Midwest Division with nineteen wins, just ahead of the Rockford Icehogs.

Now exactly how are the Admirals looking like their pro team? » Continue reading “What’s Up Milwaukee And A Predators Preview”

Milwaukee has a new music video sensation!

We all have those moments in life that we look back on and say “What the hell was I thinking?!” This may very well be that moment for Milwaukee Admirals defenseman Victor Bartley.

While Victor was preparing for his debut at the AHL All Star Game, he apparently had just a tad too much time on his hands. So what’s one to do with all this new found All Star fame?

Why make an Admirals themed video a la PSY of course!

Admirals and Predators fans, I present to you the Milwaukee Admirals version of “Gangnam Style”.

Looks like Bourque will have to spend a little more time in the AHL. (Photo: Dinur Blum/flickr)

Oh hey NHL. Thank you for the early Christmas present. More cancelled games are just what I wanted during the season of giving.

Due to a lack of decision making from the CBA negotiations, the NHL has announced that games have been cancelled through December 30. The Predators are now scheduled to begin their season on December 31 with a home opener against the Dallas Stars.

Down in the AHL, Preds prospects are hanging out in North Carolina after a win against the Charlotte Checkers. The Ads and Checkers will face off again tomorrow in Charlotte as the Ads look to start up a winning streak.

The Preds are ready to be on the ice and the fans are ready to see them! (Photo: Matt Boulton/flickr)

As everyone finishes out their Black Friday runs to the closest NHL outlet in hopes of the season stating soon, the CBA negotiations dashed all hope.

The NHL announced today that games will be cancelled at least through December 14^th. Even worse, the 2013 All-Star Weekend in Columbus, Ohio has also been cancelled.

The first game scheduled to be played by the Nashville Predators currently: at home against the Detroit Red Wings. Here’s hoping that Nashville fans will have a playoff rematch against a major rival for the first game of the season!

Meanwhile up in Milwaukee, the Admirals are looking to get back on the winning side. The team is currently 6-9 going into their game tonight at the Peoria Rivermen, starting at 7:05 CST.

Patrick Cehlin has made his mark in Milwaukee. (Photo: Sarah Fuqua/flickr)

Just when everyone thought the NHL lockout had an end in sight, the fans were disappointed again. The NHL officially announced the cancellation of the 2012-13 season through November 30^th – which means the first possible Predators game is now set for December 1^st.

Now if the Predators’ season does start on December 1^st, it’ll be a showdown of epicness. Why? Well, this game will bring the Minnesota Wild into Bridgestone, along with new Wild signee and former top Predator D-man Ryan Suter.

Yikes!

To continue with this depressing post, the Milwaukee Admirals have had a… not so great start to their season. The ads have gone 2-4 in their games so far, with hopes that a win will be the fans treat in the next game on Halloween. New comer Patrick Cehlin however, has already left his mark in Milwaukee with three goals in six games – the most on the team at this moment.

The Ads will play the Charlotte Checkers in Milwaukee at 7 PM central time, so be sure to check in on the game while enjoying trick or treating!

The Ads overcame the Griffins for a 3-2 win.

In a weekend of comebacks, the Milwaukee Admirals saw a come from behind win to kick off their season while four of the SEC hockey teams met in Savannah, GA for an unexpected conclusion to the Cobblestone Cup.

Starting in Grand Rapids, MI, the Ads overcame a goal deficit to beat the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 in the season opener for both teams.

Patrick Cehlin, a fifth round draft pick for Nashville in the 2010 Entry Draft, put up to third period goals to lift the Admirals past the Griffins in a fight to the finish. Guess this game proves why hockey fans should keep an eye on the prospects for the NHL.

The Admirals will take the game home on Friday as they face the Carolina Checkers in the Ad’s home opener. 8 PM EST. Be there!

Meanwhile down south, the SEC put on a show in the inaugural Cobblestone Cup. With the Auburn Tigers, Clemson Tigers, South Carolina Gamecocks, and the hosts of the tournament, the Georgia Bulldogs all taking the ice, there were some… interesting results.

South Carolina took home the Cobblestone Cup with two strong games, outscoring both Georgia and Clemson by at least two goals. Even more important, Carolina took home the trophy after defeating in-state rival Clemson.

Where the Gamecocks saw a weekend of triumph, host Georgia saw a weekend of sloppy play.

In the Friday night game of Georgia vs South Carolina, the Ice Dawgs were shut out by a team that they normally dominate. Saturday was just another blow to the heart for Georgia fans as the team went down 3-1 against the Auburn Tigers, forcing the Dawgs to settle in last place in front of a home crowd.

For the Auburn Tigers the weekend was a victory, despite a 4-1 loss to Clemson Friday night. Team moral took a boost the next day in the game against Georgia with a win, considering Auburn had gone down 8-1 against Georgia just two weeks earlier, with a final score of 10-3 to Georgia.

See those empty seats? I challenge everyone to fill them up! (Photo: scottjl/flickr)

Hockey fans know that there should be a season beginning this weekend. And season ticket holders well know today was the original date of the season opener for the Nashville Predators.

What I know is that right now I would normally be posting a pre-game article on who I thought would be a game changing player this season, how the Preds would play without Suter for the first time, and my bets on who didn’t practice hard over the summer.

And what a season opener this would have been.

The Predators were set to open at Joe Louis Arena against Central Division rivals the Detroit Red Wings in what was sure to be a rematch of epic proportions. As all Preds fans should know, Nashville did an awesome job of taking the series against Detroit in last year’s playoffs in a 4-1 series.

Tonight instead, attention should go to the little guys, otherwise known as the AHL.

Or in my case college hockey.

Either way, the Milwaukee Admirals will open their season tonight against the Grand Rapid Griffens. For those who would like to watch or listen to the game, click here to go to the Admirals’ schedule where there are links for both options. Check it out at 7 PM EST.

Meanwhile down south, several of the SEC hockey teams will be gathered in Georgia for the Cobblestone Cup. So for anyone in the Savannah area, be sure to check it out! Schedule and ticket information can be found here.

Sounds like a great night of hockey all around!