Milwaukee Admirals @ Chicago Wolves Preview
Chicago Wolves: 8-6-2-0, 9th in the Western Conference
Milwaukee Admirals: 6-8-1-1, 14th in the Western Conference
The Chicago Wolves host the Milwaukee Admirals tonight for the second time in four days and the third time overall in November.
Last Tuesday, points leader and seven-year veteran Brett Sterling scored twice to give the Canucks’ AHL affiliate Wolves a 5-3 win. Back on Nov. 9, the Admirals scored four times in the first period en route to a 7-4 victory in the teams’ first meeting of the season.
The Amtrak Rivalry, so-called because of the oft-travelled 90-minute commute on Amtrak trains between the two cities, was created in 2009 and features a trophy given to the winner of the series each year.
Chicago has won the series three years in a row.
AHL on Sportsnet: Milwaukee Admirals @ Chicago Wolves – Watch some exciting American Hockey League action as the affiliates of the Nashville Predators take on the Vancouver Canucks’ farm team, the Chicago Wolves on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. ET | Get your AHL schedule and scores here
Who to watch:
Chicago – Jordan Shroeder was Vancouver’s first-round pick in 2009 and the speedy and intelligent forward is on the brink of being ready for the big time. Former Buffalo first-rounder and Canadian world junior Zack Kassian has made some great strides this season, and is still learning to use his massive frame to be an effective power forward. Toronto native Chris Tanev made a big impression during the Canucks’ run to the Stanley Cup final in 2011 with his composure and intelligence moving the puck from the back end. Eddie Lack has the net, and the tall former Swedish national junior team member is ready to be an NHL back up right now.
Milwaukee – Ryan Ellis is the all-time leading scorer among defenceman for Canada at the world juniors, and the former Nashville first-rounder wasted no time getting on the score sheet when these two teams met on Tuesday after returning from a wrist injury. Patrick Cehlin is a dynamic offensive threat playing his first season in North America after coming over from Sweden, while another Nashville first-round pick and former U.S. national junior team member, Austin Watson, has had little trouble adapting to the pro game.
What to watch for:
The two teams have struggled of late with the Wolves dropping four of their last five, while the Admirals have lost four straight, yet they both possess plenty of youthful ability to break out of their respective slumps. Look for some hard-nosed, intense, physical hockey from two Mid-West division squads that know each other very well.
