Nothing screams success like a goalie putting the net facedown on the ice to celebrate a shutout. At least that’s how it’s done in Milwaukee.
Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov did just that as he celebrated his fifth shutout of the season as the Admirals defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 3-0 last Sunday night.
Now at 40 wins on the season, the Admirals are ready for playoff hockey in a few more weeks. That goes without saying the players in the locker room have grown to a level that they’ve been pushing toward the entire season.
“I just try to focus on what I can control, it’s been the same all year for me,” Askarov said. “It’s not anything crazy, this is what I try to be like every game and I have success. It’s great for us.”
Yaroslav Askarov and Troy Grosenick celebrate a 3-0 shutout over the Henderson Silver Knights.
While Askarov has started to reach the next level of his play so have his teammates—even the ones who initially started the season in Nashville with the Predators.
Disappointment can linger in younger players when being sent back to the AHL but in Philip Tomasino’s mind, he’s riding the wave of being a top player in Milwaukee’s lineup.
“In terms of myself every game I’m getting better,” Tomasino said. “I feel good, I think I’m trying to improve certain aspects of my games in the little details. Overall I think it’s been good and I think it’s getting better every game. It’s been a big thing our coach has been harping on me.”
Head coach Karl Taylor certainly has been vocalizing what he’d like to see from Tomasino. Since joining the Admirals Tomasino has 12 points in 18 games after dressing in 41 games with the Predators this season.
“Tomasino is playing really well for us and his detail is way up and attention to certain things,” Taylor said. “He’s playing with speed and we’re working on a couple of areas with him but he is scoring more and producing for us. Since we added Ozzy Wiesblatt they seem to have good chemistry. We like what those two are doing so far.”
Philip Tomasino after playing the puck off the glass.
Predators head coach Andrew Brunette wanted to see Tomasino’s details improve but the move to Milwaukee is what resulted in trying to get more from the first-round pick in 2019.
The same can be said of Juuso Pärssinen who has 18 points in 26 games with the Admirals this season. Pärssinen played on Nashville’s top line for six games back in October to begin the campaign.
“I wasn’t playing much when I was back in Nashville. When I came here I played the first powerplay and penalty kill,” Pärssinen said. “I play almost 20 minutes a night here, it took me a few games to get going to get my swagger back. Now, I feel confident with the puck and can make plays with the puck again.”
Brunette and general manager Barry Trotz want this, it’s a results business and now the decision to send some of their young forwards to Milwaukee is paying dividends.
“With Pärssinen we’re trying to get his confidence back up,” Taylor said. “He was playing a little too safe in Nashville so they wanted him to come down and handle the puck more and be more direct making plays. He’s doing that and we want to make sure we keep him direct. We’re doing lots of stuff with video so he knows what we’re looking for us but also Nashville.”
The Finnish forward said he’s confident in his game now with his roles and responsibilities with the Admirals. One thing that’s made a difference for Pärssinen is his relationship with Karl Taylor.
“We have a good relationship with him, we talk a lot,” Pârssinen said. “Whenever he has something to say to me he’ll say it and if I have something for him I’ll talk to him. He’s a great coach.”
So, question one for Pärssinen is does he think about going back to Nashville?
Juuso Pärssinen during a stoppage against the Henderson Silver Knights.
“Not really. I don’t think that’s something to think about,” Pärssinen said. “I’m trying to do my best here every day and be the best version of myself every day. If it happens it happens but that’s not in my control so it’s all focus here.”
While the younger players have been in Milwaukee there’s been a lot of iron sharpening iron throughout the season. One of the most cutting-edge guys in the room is veteran Cal O’Reilly who initially began his professional career with the Admirals and Predators.
O’Reilly has enjoyed soaking in the season where it all started but he’s been happy with the team and the young guns striving to be a factor in the NHL one day.
“It’s great, it’s what you want to see with these guys getting better and learning to play a pro game,” O’Reilly said. “They’ve been consistent all year and that’s what you want to see.”
O’Reilly even said along with the team being fun he’s enjoyed having Karl Taylor as his coach this season. It’s kept him feeling younger at heart and a little more motivated to play on this team.
Sometimes, leaders speak in the room and have meetings to discuss team play. Checking in has been a point of emphasis when keeping everyone dialed in.
“We’ve had a couple of meetings, we talk as veterans and older guys say the right things and help find our team confidence when we play together,” O’Reilly said. “Try to lead by example so that the younger guys see how we need to play to be successful.”
Forward Zach L’Heureux is one of a few younger skaters who have been acclimating to his first professional season. To this point, he’s been harping on his confidence but he snapped a 12-game goalless streak against Henderson.
“I’m feeling pretty good, I thought it was going really well,” L’Heureux said. “Kind of been in a slump right now. Confidence hasn’t been as high, I’m just trying to do the right things, keep it simple and I’m sure it’ll come right back. When big moments come around that’s when I try to step up.”
He was able to respond directly after stating he was looking to step up. L’Heureux credited Pärssinen as a guy he’s taken lessons from since his linemate has most recently been in the NHL.
“He has great vision out there on the ice, “L’Heureux said of Pärssinen. “If it’s faceoff plays or something he’s pointing things out so I’m learning a lot from him. We have to keep doing what we’re doing and things are going to click.”
L’Heureux and his teammates are looking forward to the postseason and before they get there they’ll have to build on the momentum from a two-game sweep of the Silver Knights.
“We know we can be a lot better right now, we have a month before playoffs so our focus is getting ready for those games,” L’Heureux said. “These games mean something to stay on top of the division but at the end of the day, they don’t mean anything. We’re looking forward to the playoffs and getting ready for that.”
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of Milwaukee Admirals
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