Admirals 2010 Season Review
Posted by adminJust a year after accruing the most points in the entire Western Conference in 2009, the Admirals took a minor step backwards last season, finishing just 4th in the conference’s West Division. Sitting in the middle of pack at regular season’s end, the Admirals barely qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs, securing the West Division’s final seed going into the tournament. On their way towards qualifying for the playoffs, the Admirals amassed a total of 41 wins, 30 losses, 2 overtime losses and 7 shoot out losses, rounding out at 91 points on the season. Perhaps most telling is the Admirals +17 goal differential, well above some of the teams that out rank them in the standings, indicating that the offensive firepower, talent and defensive tenacity was there, though undermined by a lack of focus and grit to pull out close games.
The playoffs saw a tough first round match up with the division leading Chicago Wolves. Despite a hard fought battle in which the underdog admirals pushed the Wolves to seven games, overcoming a commanding 3-1 Chicago lead to start the series, Milwaukee’s skaters were sent home with a 2-1 defeat in the final game. Fans and players alike were surely disappointed to go home early after such a valiant comeback effort; however, the 3 game span that closed out the season was among the season’s bright spots in an otherwise mediocre year. The first 4 games against Chicago showcased the inconsistency that plagued the Admirals all season long; but as the club skated on thin ice, it appeared something finally began to click under the Admiral helmets. At the very least, the nice finish gives players and coaches something to build upon heading into the off season and fans something to look forward to in the coming season. The Wolves went on to lose in the next round to the AHL new name Texas Stars, with the Hershey Bears ultimately taking home their second consecutive Calder Cup, 11th overall.