I finally made it to a playoff game last night. My first-place Stars swept the Rockford Icehogs so they’re facing the Milwaukee Admirals, a team that has given them a hard time all season. It’s pretty impressive we beat them to take the division too; we had more points but they had more outright victories. Last weekend, the Admirals didn’t give up home advantage as easily, making my Stars come home with a 1-1 situation.
The game was worrisome. For a first-place, division winner, our PP was sloppy and the Stars were behind most of the night. They did finally pull ahead then blew their lead near the end. The souring moment came near the third period’s conclusion, they scored while we were pushing for overtime.
I hope the pressure of winning or staying home inspires them to try harder Friday. We haven’t hoisted the Calder Cup in nine years and we haven’t been to the championship since 2018, a 4-3 heartbreak loss to the Toronto Marlies. Then we have to face the winner of the cry-baby California Division, the teams responsible for the percentage system and shortening the season.
They don’t use points percentage in the standings anymore, now that everyone plays the same number of games again.