Editors note: Welcome to another installment of Admirals Playoff Diary, OnMilwaukee.coms exclusive look at the Milwaukee Admrials as they progress through the American Hockey League playoffs in search of their second Calder Cup championship in three years. After sweeping a second-round series against Houston, the Admirals took a 1-0 advantage against Grand Rapids in the Western Conference Championship Series.
IT WAS GREAT TO GET THE FIRST WIN of the series, but we still have a lot of work to do. I got a little lucky on that first goal, but sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. (Grand Rapids defenseman Brett) Lebda had the puck behind the net and I kind of snuck up behind him and stole the puck. I caught him a little flat-footed. I walked out on my forehand coming around the net and put a shot on goal. I think the goalie may have been screened a little and it snuck by him.
It gave us some momentum because the game had been pretty much at a standstill up until that point. We seemed to be trading chances and after that we really controlled the game.
There was a little rust at the beginning of the game, since we hadn't played in over a week. We did a pretty good job of shaking it off, though, after just a few shifts. Every line got going and most of us felt pretty good just a little bit into the game.
We need to keep skating to have success against the Griffins. They have some very skilled players, so we have to keep up with them. We are a bigger team and we should use our size to make it tough on them as well, especially after since they are coming off of a long series with Manitoba.
I think I have to go with Edmonton in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They are a hard-nosed team and I really enjoy watching them play. Plus, they are the last Canadian team left.
During the summer, I live back in Calgary. Like most of the guys, I take it easy in the summer, in particular during the first few weeks after the season is done. I typically skate a few times a week and I just enjoy hockey on a very basic level, not necessarily thinking about it has a career.
My girlfriend also lives in Calgary. We talk on the phone quite a bit right now, and she has come to Milwaukee to visit as well. Whenever she comes I always take her to Butch's Steak House. Honestly, I go there quite a bit even when she isn't visiting. I am a big fan of steak houses and that is one of the best in the city. I usually stick with the New York Strip or the filet. They have an unbelievable filet!
