IceHogs Weekend Preview: Mee-Lee-Wah-Kay

Rockford begins a home-and-home series with the Milwaukee Admirals Friday night at the BMO Center.

(C/ Jake Alita/Rockford Icehogs)

By Jack Masters, @hogthought on X, IceHogs Lead Analyst on Ice Insider

ROCKFORD-- After a successful home opener last Saturday for the IceHogs, they head into the second weekend with a 1-0 record. They now have eyes on a home-and-home series with the rival Milwaukee Admirals, or Mee-Lee-Wah-Kay (it's Algonquin for "the good land").

LAST WEEK FOR MILWAUKEE:

Milwaukee began their season last Friday with an uneventful 3-0 loss to the Griffins. Yaroslav Askarov's replacement, Magnus Chrona, made his Ad's debut and stopped 24 of 26 shots in the loss.

Milwaukee then made their way to Rosemont for Chicago's home opener. The tide swung a bit differently for the Admirals Saturday night as they cruised to a 4-1 victory. Matt Murray (the other new Ad's goalie) made his debut and stopped 31 of 32. Cal O'Reilly registered 4 points in the win and Milwaukee split the weekend 1-1.

AD'S TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Matt Murray - The former Texas Stars standout goalie, Murray signed a 1-year deal with Nashville after a down 23/24 season in Texas. Just two seasons ago Murray seemed to be on the rise, a 2.37 GAA and a .911 save %, Murray was penciled into the Dallas Stars' future plans in net. But alas here he is in Milwaukee, surely starting at least one of these two games this weekend as he is primed for a turnaround season in the Predators organization.

Joakim Kemell - Nashville's first-rounder in 2022, the 20-year-old Kemell has arrived for his second pro season in North America. Posting 41 points in 67 games, along with 11 in 15 playoff games, Kemell is the jewel of the Admirals. A creative playmaker with a deadly shot and developing speed, Kemell always seems to be involved in the play one way or another.

Cal O'Reilly - The veteran AHL scorer posted 4 points (1G 3A) in fridays loss to GR, at 38 it's safe to say the expectations for O'Reilly are tempered a bit, but if he can continue the success he's had to start the year the Ad's will be in good shape.

CALL 'EM UP:

Isaak Phillips became the first recall of the year for Rockford when Alec Martinez was placed on IR thursday. Look for DJ King to draw into Rockford's lineup to fill in for the recalled Phillips. Besides Phillips, Rockford is still short Artyom Levshunov on the blue line as he makes his way back from his foot injury.

OLD FRIENDS ALERT:

Returning to the BMO Center on Friday is former IceHog, playmaker Vinnie Hinostroza. Vinnie spent parts of three seasons in Rockford, highlighted by a 51-point campaign in the 2015-2016 season. In 2018, Hinostroza was traded to the Coyotes in a package including the contract of Marian Hossa and Jordan Oesterle. The Hawks received Mackenzie Entwistle and Marcus Kruger in return, among other assets.

Friday also marks the return of former IceHogs forward Kale Howarth. The big power-forward spent 2021-2024 in the Screw City. Although he struggled to stay healthy, he quickly became a fan favorite for both his physical play and his TikToks....

WHO'S IN NET:

Rockford will more than Likely be starting Drew Commesso (1-0, .947) for the home set Friday at the BMO. For Milwaukee, it will be either Magnus Chrona (0-1, .923) or Matt Murray (1-0, .969). Follow myself, @hogthought on X (twitter) for game time updates on the starters.

HOT HOG:

With Rockford only playing one game on AHL opening weekend, it's tough to pick our Hot Hog to watch for this week but let's go with Kevin Korchinski after he jump-started Rockford's power play with his coast-to-coast magic:

HOW THE HOGS CAN WIN:

Looking at the Admirals on paper, they've got a good mix of veteran size and skill as well as a couple young, creative playmakers. They will more than likely be a very well structured team, similar to last season in part to the veteran nature of their roster. But if the Hogs can continue to play the quick-in-transition and through the neutral zone game they showcased vs. the Griffins, they may be able to out-pace the veteran-heavy roster of Milwaukee. Although, if Rockford shows any small defensive-breakdowns that the young Icehogs blueline will surely show at some point and let's Milwaukee find their way to the middle of the ice, letting their veteran playmakers take over, it could be a long weekend for the Hogs.

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