By Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jan 04, 2008 at 5:14 AM

For most of their existence, the Admirals have prided themselves on providing affordable entertainment.

Saturday night, they're taking value to an extreme.

In a rare "rock and hockey" doubleheader, the Admirals present a concert by The Goo Goo Dolls prior to their regularly scheduled game against rival Chicago.

The concert begins at 5:45 p.m., with the game to follow at about 8 p.m.

"We're really excited about it," Admirals president Jon Greenberg said. "This is a big-time show for us. It's an act that is still in its prime. A lot of the country music acts we bring in are emerging bands. This is the biggest band that we've done."

The Goo Goo Dolls, who have sold more than 10 million records, are slated to play a set of about 80 minutes on a stage that will be located at the north end of the ice rink.

"As soon as they're done, we'll put the place together, Zamboni the ice, have a pre-game skate and drop the puck," Greenberg said. "We want to get the game started by 8 o'clock, like Chicago TV wants us to."

Doors to the building will open at 5 p.m., and the first 5,000 fans to arrive will receive a bobblehead doll featuring the likeness of Admirals center Rich Peverley.

Fans can order tickets through Ticketmaster, the Bradley Center box office or by calling (414) 227-0550.

"We're selling tickets at a very rapid clip, but we have plenty available," Greenberg said. "I'm not anticipating selling out."

For fans who want an "up close" look at the band, the Admirals are selling a limited number of ice passes, which will allow fans to watch the concert from the ice directly in front of the stage.

The "Ga Ga for Goo Goo Passes" cost $20 at the Admirals office, 510 W. Kilbourn Ave., the Bradley Center box office and Ticketmaster. Ice passes do not include admission to the game.

"It's a great opportunity for our fans," said Greenberg, whose team will welcome country star Jason Aldean for a post-game concert Feb 8., followed by a show by former Poison frontman Brett Michaels on March 8.

Greenberg laughed when asked if he had been hit with any strange contractual requirements by the rock acts. "I haven't studied the contracts that closely," he said. "I did ask if there were any M&M requirements. I think we're OK there."

 

 

 

Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.