Where do we go from here?

Last week of March, with two weeks left in the regular hockey season and things look just as tight as they have for the last two months. The Milwaukee Admirals having taken the bit in their teeth early in the season have 99 points tonight and have clinched a playoff spot and home field advantage. Houston Aeros and the Peoria Rivermen are tied for 2nd place with 82 points and Rockford in 3rd with 78 Chicago 4th with 79. The Iowa Chops can't be counted out with 76. Right now the only thing for certain with a race this close there is a very good chance there will be a playoff game for hockey junkies to watch with in a comfortable driving distance of Chicago in early June. The final two weeks of the season will tell us the story. Will Peoria a team who has been an also ran in the AHL finally become the contender they were in the UHL? Rockford will they like last year peak during the playoffs and become a very serious combatant for whoever they face? Houston? Always the bridesmaid time for them to wear white? Milwaukee, they could take it all this year, but weird things happen in playoff runs, never count out our friend Serendipity.

On the local front the Wolves played two games this weekend splitting the outcome. Saturday winning against the Quad City Flames 3:2 in a shoot out.Ondrej Pavlec the Wolves's work horse of a goal tender turned away 29, ( 2/8 SO) SOG while QC's Leland Irving turned away 29 (3/8 SOG). Referee Fredric L'Ecuyer(#49) called a minimum of penalties remarkable for the amount of lumber that seemed to be observed to be flying around during the game. However, the game continued at a playoff pace and the boys played on. It seems that like the Wolves have noticed the calender and if they wish to play into late April extra effort is needed now.

Tonight the Milwaukee Admiral's came to town and the Wolves did not roll over and show them their collective bellies. Although the Wolves lost to the Admirlas 5:2 they were in the fight until the end. The most outstanding feature of the game was Milwaukee's Mike Santorielli's hat trick. Somehow it always disappoints me when no hats are thrown for an out of town player, still it is always a treat to see a hat trick of any kind . Referee Ian Croft called a total of of 18 mim for 9 infractions for Milwaukee and 16 minutes for 8 infractions for Chicago. He was backed by linesmen Bryan Pancinh and Roger Behining.

Linesman Al Steinsland who frequently covers Wolves games is reported to still be out with an undisclosed injury he suffered in Fridays game in Rockford. His cool head, confidence and poise on the ice will be missed until his return.

Another surprise that was on hand at the AllState was a display of Wolves Skating Coach Kenny McCudden's large collection of antique skates, equipment, books and blades . As a child who loved the story Hans Brinker I was enthralled looking at the collection . Of course, there are images to share......








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