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The Admirals headed out on their first real road trip of the season and ended up with than pleasant results. They dropped the first three games with a combined score of 9-2. You could say with three games in less than 48 hours brought on this result, but I hope that wouldn't be used an excuse.
In the three games, the team, in general, didn't play defense at all. Igor Bobkov was not an AHL caliber goalie in his two periods played. He let in seven goals in 40 minutes (or one goal every 5:45 minutes). In November, he has a 6.67 goals against average and a .828 save percentage. This has dropped him to 46th out of 48 goalies in the AHL.
Frederik Andersen is doing a bit better in net. He allowed only one goal in each game he replaced Bobkov. Andersen kept the team in those games to attempt to overcome the deficits from their first period performances. Andersen is ranked 23rd out of 48 goalies, has a 2.72 goals-against-average and a .917 save-percentage. In the age of super goalies, you want your netminder around, at least, a .920 SV%. He isn't playing too poorly and is miles ahead of Bobkov.
As for scoring, it wasn't around when it needed to be. The goals finally showed up in the last game of the trip against the Albany Devils. A late defensive collapse in Monday's game lead to the Devils mounting a four goal comeback to take the game into overtime. Luckily, the Ads ended up winning in the shoot-out.
Two players are starting to reveal themselves as the offensive muscle this team needs: Peter Holland and Kyle Palmieri. The two are hoping to secure spots with the Ducks when - optimism is key - the NHL lockout ends. Both are putting up the points to make a solid case to present to Coach Boudreau Holland and Palmieri are tied at 13 points a piece, with Holland and Palmieri both having six goals and seven assists, Peter is 16th in the league and Kyle is 17th. [Ed. Note: Anyone else thinking, The Twins Part Deux?] In my recap for the Devils game I had Holland at 14 points, it seems like they took his assist away and gave it to Patrick Maroon.
I advise Ducks fans not to look at the top 20 scorers. You WILL become angry. [Ed note: He's correct. I started to have a facial-tic when I saw it.]
Rankings as of Thursday November 15th. www.TheAHL.com
