1. Milwaukee Bound: When the dust settled on a busy final day of the AHL regular season schedule, the Milwaukee Admirals finished in fifth spot with 87 points, while the Heat finished fourth with 92, which tees up a first round best-of-five series beginning on Friday in Wisconsin. Here’s a link to the full schedule. Games 3, 4* & 5* (* if necessary) will all be hosted at the AESC where the series winner will be crowned (get your tickets here). The Admirals beat the Heat in three of four meetings in the season series, but the Heat carry a franchise record nine-game point streak into the post-season.
2. Max Results: In his first game as a professional, Max Reinhart scored twice and was named first star – looking the part after a few weeks of practice as a ‘Black Ace’. The Vancouver product, and son of NHLer Paul, was watched by friends and family in attendance and didn’t disappoint as his two goals put the home team up early. Reinhart looked the part for a just-20-year-old rookie, and has made a case for more action come the second season. David Eddy also scored his first pro goal in his fourth game, and Stuart Percey had his first pro point on a Marlies goal… A day for the kids! Older, but equally impressive was Nick Tuzzolino, who has been solid on the blue-line in this his second call-up he scored two beauties including the game winner.
3. Vets Rested: Numerous regulars did not dress in the season finale with the game holding no impact on the final standings in the Western Conference. Krys Kolanos, Ben Walter, Clay Wilson, Brian Connelly, Jon Rheault, Paul Byron, and rookie Dustin Sylvester all watched a younger squad beat a Marlies club that kept a few of Friday night’s players in the stands. Ben Walter’s Ironman bid (playing all 76 games) was spoiled, but clearly there are bigger fish to fry for the veteran forward.
