Admirals win Central Division, prep for playoffs

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Admirals have been making noise on the ice all season, but winning their first division title since the pandemic was relatively quiet.

"It's not quite like baseball," says coach Karl Taylor. "We don't have the goggles on and the champagne going but we are proud of accomplishing that goal."

The Ads wrapped up the Central about a week before the end of the regular season. The way the AHL playoffs are set up, they'll play the waiting game now.

After finishing the regular season Sunday Milwaukee will have around a week and a half off while the Texas Stars and Manitoba Moose play a series. The Ads will take on the winner.

Rookie Zach H'Leureux says "I've never really experienced this kind of break before the playoffs. It's just taking these two weeks to get a little bit of rest but work on the little details of the game and make sure we are ready for day one."

Captain Kevin Gravel adds "We're going to have a little bit of a break, which is good. That's what you're playing for. It gives guys a little extra time to heal up, gives the coaches a little bit more time to work through things in practice."

Coach Taylor says the Ads will take some time to recover from injuries during their break, but still try to keep a good pace to practice. He says this year's team strength is defense and it also helps to have veterans like captain Kevin Gravel and Roland McKeown who already won Calder Cups earlier in their careers.

Gravel: "It's the most fun time of year and I think you really grow as a player and as a person in high stakes moments and high stakes games."

The Admirals will finish their regular season at home against Rockford Saturday and at Grand Rapids Sunday then the playoffs officially.