Stortini Played with Admirals in 05-06

Milwaukee, WI—Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Kyle Wilson to a two-year contract and Zack Stortini to a one-year contract.

Stortini split the 2010-11 season between the Edmonton Oilers (32gp, 0g-4a-4pts, 76 PIM) and the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons (29gp, 1g-2a-3pts, 53 PIM) after spending three full seasons with the Oilers from 2007-10. The Eliot Lake, Ont., native has suited up for 256 career NHL contests since 2006-07 – all with Edmonton – amassing 41 points (14g-27a) and 718 penalty minutes including a career-high 13 points (4g-9a) in a personal-best 77 games with Edmonton in 2009-10.

The 6-4, 215-pound center helped the Admirals to the 2006 Calder Cup Finals, and then won it the following season with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Drafted 94th overall (fourth round) by the Oilers in the 2003 Entry Draft, Stortini played his junior hockey with Sudbury (OHL) from 2001-05, serving as captain for three of those four seasons.

Wilson spent the 2010-11 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, posting 11 points (4g-7a) in 32 NHL contests and 24 points (12g-12a) in 23 games with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons. The Oakville, Ont., native played the majority of his first four professional seasons with the Hershey Bears from 2006-10, amassing 251 points (119g-132a) in 320 games and winning back-to-back Calder Cup titles in 2009 and 2010. The 6-0, 201-pound center saw his first NHL action with Washington in 2009-10, registering two assists in two games.

Season tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now for as little as $145. For more information, or to purchase season tickets, fans should call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550. Don’t forget to follow the Admirals on Twitter (@mkeadmirals) and on Facebook!

Former Ads Netminder Holds Multiple Team Records

Milwaukee, WI—On the first day of free agency, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed former Admiral goaltender Mark Dekanich to a one-way contract. The signing ends a record setting three years for the Colgate University alum in Milwaukee.

Dekanich is the team’s all-time leader in both goals against average (2.16) and save percentage (.922) to go along with a 65-38-11 record and nine shutouts, which is fourth in franchise history. He ends his career fifth all-time in wins and sixth in games played (122).

In 2010-11, the North Vancouver, BC native put together arguably the best season in net ever for a Milwaukee goaltender. He finished the year with team records for goals against average (2.02) and save percentage (.931) and also set a franchise mark for the most consecutive minutes without allowing a goal (209:31). He compiled a 23-12-5 record with five shutouts and was selected to play in the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic.

In addition to Dekanich, the Blue Jackets also signed defenseman Aaron Johnson, who notched 35 points (9g-26a) in 72 games for Milwaukee last season.

Season tickets for the Admirals 2011-12 season are on sale now for as little as $145. For more information, or to purchase season tickets, fans should call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550. Don’t forget to follow the Admirals on Twitter (@mkeadmirals) and on Facebook!

Admirals Host Aeros in Game 7 Tonight

Milwaukee, WI— Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has reassigned forwards Blake Geoffrion and Matt Halischuk, and defenseman Jonathon Blum to the Milwaukee Admirals. The Admirals play Game Seven of the West Division Finals against the Houston Aeros tonight at 7:00 pm at the Bradley Center.

The rookie trio appeared in all 12 of Nashville’s 2011 Stanley Cup Playoff contests – Blum and Geoffrion both notched a pair of assists, while Halischuk scored two goals, most notably the game winner in the longest game in Predators history – a double-overtime win in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals at Vancouver.

. For more information, or to purchase group tickets, fans should call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550. Don’t forget to follow the Admirals on Twitter (@mkeadmirals) and on Facebook!

Game Four Set for Thursday in Houston

Houston, TX—Steve Begin scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Milwaukee Admirals to a 5-3 win over the Houston Aeros Tuesday at the Toyota Center. The win gives the Admirals a 2-games-to-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Begin, a former Calder Cup MVP, scored the game-winner just 79 seconds after Houston defenseman Marco Scandella’s power play goal brought Houston within one at 3-2. Milwaukee forward Andreas Thuresson skated into the offensive zone on the right wing as the Admirals moved into Houston’s end 3-on-2. Thuresson passed to the left circle for Mike Bartlett. Begin moved to the right post and slammed the Bartlett pass into the net for his second goal of the postseason at 9:35 of the third period.

Just 33 seconds later, Houston forced a turnover at neutral ice and Jarod Palmer went in on a breakaway. His shot cleared goalie Jeremy Smith’s glove and bounced out of the net. The referee signaled it was not a goal and the goal judge’s light never came on. Milwaukee carried the puck to the Houston zone. After a whistle, the official spoke with the goal judge and after a conversation the Aeros were awarded the goal.

Milwaukee answered again just 26 seconds after the call. Again, Begin carried the puck into the Aeros zone on the left wing. He fired a shot on goal that bounced away from Houston netminder Matt Hackett and Bartlett scored on the rebound. Bartlett’s second goal of the postseason was tallied at 10:34 and was assisted by Begin and Roman Josi.

Houston scored a power play goal at 8:15 of the first to claim the early 1-0 lead. Aeros forward Robbie Earl had the puck on the left wing boards. He fed a pass to the right circle for a pinching defenseman, Jared Spurgeon. Spurgeon’s quick shot hit the back of the net for his first postseason goal.

Milwaukee’s Mark Van Guilder tied the game at 17:55 of the first period, just as a Houston penalty ended. Aaron Johnson manned the right point and passed to the left circle. Ryan Thang made a nice reception of the feed by kicking the puck from his left skate to his stick. His shot was redirected by Van Guilder for his third postseason goal.

Thang gave the Admirals a 2-1 lead with his fourth goal of the postseason at 8:55 of the second period. Kelsey Wilson gained the Aeros zone on the right wing, delayed then dropped a pass for Scott Ford. The defenseman’s shot was kicked away by the right leg of Houston goalie Matt Hackett to Thang crashing to the left post.

Milwaukee gained a two-goal advantage as defenseman Grant Lewis skated around a Houston defender into the slot. He was tripped and drew a delayed penalty against the Aeros. As he fell, he passed the puck behind the Aeros goal to Begin. Begin fed a quick pass to the top of the crease where Thuresson fired a one-timer for his second goal of the postseason at 13:58 of the second period. 

Admirals goalie Smith stopped 31 shots for the win. Milwaukee totaled 25 shots on goal against Hackett.

Games four in the series is Thursday night at 7:05 pm at the Toyota Center. The Admirals will host another viewing party for game four at Buck Bradleys. Don’t forget to follow the Admirals on Twitter (@mkeadmirals) and on Facebook!