Patrick Williamstheahl.com writer
So they met again.
With already becoming an annual May tradition, the Texas star found himself matching the Milwaukee Admiral in the Calder Cup playoffs. The powers of the two central divisions will hold the playoffs for the third consecutive year, overall for the fifth time. Texas hosted the first game in tonight’s best five series and Game 2, with the rest moving to Milwaukee.
The stars owe the Admiral the reward after Milwaukee eliminated them in the past two years. In 2023, the teams won before the Admiral won the decision Game 5 on the ice in Texas. In 2024, the Stars captured two games of the opening ceremony before Milwaukee won three straight home games.
The relationship between the clubs is deep. Admiral Head Coach Karl Taylor Spend four years with Starry Assistant Coaches, helping them compete in the 2018 Calder Cup final. His assistant, Greg Ralloplayed five seasons in three separate games in Texas. goalkeeper Matt Murray Failed in the 2023 competition; he joined the Nashville organization last summer and won a spot on the AHL second-place All-Star team. They know each other well since the start of the 2022-23 season and he has played 34 games head-on.
They won the last three Central Division titles, Texas finished first in 2022-23, while Milwaukee has received honors in each of the past two seasons. Admiral defeated Stars by two points this year, helping to achieve that goal with two victories at Cedar Park from April 5 to 6.
Both teams are also permanent playoff participants. The Admiral immigrated to the AHL in 2001 and won the Calder Cup in 2004 and returned to the finals two years later. They will travel back to back in the Western Conference Finals. The star reached the finals in the 2009-10 season, won the Cup in 2014, and has been in the 7th game of the 2018 Championship.
Head coach Neil Graham Have long-term ties with the Dallas Stars. He joined Idaho in the ECHL League in 2012 as an assistant coach, became head coach there, and promoted to Texas to become an assistant before taking the top position early in the 2019-20 season.
The teams also enjoy long-term and productive NHL affiliation, with strong fan support, and successful operations on and on the ice. Both teams sent a wave of talents to their respective parent teams. There is a strong philosophical adherence to the development tradition that is integrated in a victorious environment.
“I have a lot of respect for the organization,” Murray said.
Star Defender Trey Taylor Joined the team later this season at Clarkson University, but was very familiar with the competition.
“You heard a lot about Milwaukee,” Taylor said. “They are obviously fast. They are heavy. They do a great job at the end of themselves. They have a really good goalkeeper, some really good forwards and a very good D. It’s going to be a really good test and for us it’s going to be a really good test and I’m glad to have the opportunity to play, watch and be part of two great teams.”
In short, that’s all about Calder Cup playoffs.
“We are honored to be one of the eight teams still in the game,” said Karl Taylor. “We want to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Texas played three games in the division semifinals, caring for Grand Rapids Griffins in three games, although some third-cycle and double overtime drama were required in Game 3. The star dug out of 4-1 holes and even scored 3 times late in the game before winning the game during the second OT.
Graham knew that this round would only be more difficult.
“It’s a challenge,” the star’s coach said. “They are a really good hockey club. There’s no secret that. So for us, we embrace it. We have to be at our best, but frankly, to be honest [will] them. This is the beauty of this time of year. It brings its own competitors the best. ”
For the Admiral, they almost missed the rematch. They had trouble after their first two games home defeat to Rockford Icehogs, but they postponed, winning in Games 3 and 4 Fedor Svechkovovertime goal.
Seven of Milwaukee’s last 10 playoff games have reached its limit. They won the last six of the seven.
“We’ve had a lot of knockouts like this over the years and you just have to keep playing,” Coach Taylor said. “It’s hockey. It’s the playoffs. It should be really difficult.”
After the Admiral won the victory, Svechkov, who was with his loved one, quipped: “It seems to be a tradition. I think [past experience] It helps because we didn’t panic at all. We just don’t think we [could] lose. ”
Svechkov brought some loyalty to his post-match track. Last year, he scored 12 points (6 goals and 6 assists) in 15 playoff games. He has scored another five points (three goals and two assists) against the Icehogs in the last five games.
“I kept smiling because we were just struggling with these feelings,” Svichkov said. “I was in the same place during my PlayStation career, [and] I just want to feel it in real life. ”
The real thing is even better.
“Just the best feeling in the world,” Sveshkov said.
During the fifty years in the American Hockey League, Theahl.com writer Patrick Williams currently covers the NHL.com and Flosports leagues and is a regular contributor to Siriusxm NHL New Network Radio. He won the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his outstanding league coverage in 2016.
