Starting a season with turnover can be difficult for any squad. Therefore, staring at a 3-2 record can seem rather lackluster.
As Admirals fans try to gauge where their squad is at, the best look might be in the week ahead. They’ll lead off the week against a familiar foe in the Iowa Wild.
A Wild Start
Iowa is off to a rough start, posting a 2-4-1 record in their first seven games. However, a strong highlight of their squad is Zane McIntyre. The 31-year-old goaltender sits at 0-2-1 with an .855 GAA. Despite those numbers, McIntyre put up 45 saves in his most recent matchup, facing off against your Milwaukee Admirals.
These struggles against a lesser opponent don’t bode well for Milwaukee heading into the weekend. As the possibility to capitalize on scoring attempts seemed to evade them against the Wild. Jasper Weatherby poked home his own rebound to open the scoring before radio silence all the way to Denis Gurianov’s backhanded goal in overtime. However, it’s a good time to point out that the Admirals have only allowed nine goals against in five games, primarily off the glove of Yaroslav Askarov. So, while the offense is hot and cold, the goaltending remains solid.
With goaltending being a positive for both Milwaukee and Iowa, it’s clear to see another defensive battle ahead on Thursday. The game then hinges on the play of Gurianov and Mark Jankowski. If the team’s two leading scorers can spread the puck around and create a similar amount of scoring chances to last week, there’s a good shot at victory in Iowa.
Personally, I’d like to see more out of 19-year-old Joakim Kemell. The Preds 2022 1st Round Pick has begun coming into his own, but the crux of Milwaukee’s season hinges on his development.
If he can develop at a rate that gets him a call-up this season, Milwaukee should have no trouble with the early portion of their schedule.
Following their game with the Wild is a Saturday tilt at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Mystical Griffins
Grand Rapids has also struggled out of the gate, giving the Admirals a chance at a one-two punch to gain ground in an already separating Central Division and build momentum heading into a two-game set with Texas next week.
The 2-3-1 Griffins are led in scoring by Taro Hirose (3-4-7), with multiple three-point players on their squad. However, their 18 goals against in 7 games is a massively concerning number. Yet the Griffins seem to be let down by their defense as Cossa and Hutchinson boast .931 and .917 saver percentages, respectively. Whether Askarov or Grosenick gets the nod for Milwaukee, I’m not too concerned. However, with two goaltenders having to do all the work in Grand Rapids, the offense has their chance to find their footing.
Grand Rapids and Milwaukee have both yet to find their offensive identities. But the focus on pressure that the Admirals have seems to give them the edge over Grand Rapids in this one.
We’ll just have to see how it plays out this week.
