Postseason hockey is back in Milwaukee! After a heartbreaking 2023 season finale in the Western Conference Finals, the Milwaukee Admirals are back this season, looking like a dangerous playoff team. The AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators is led by shut-out superstar goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, all-star defenseman Spencer Stastney and a slate of soon-to-be NHL standouts that have the team poised to chase its first Calder Cup in 20 years.
Coming off a decisive Game 5 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, the Milwaukee Admirals turn their attention now to the AHL Western Conference Finals. Making their fourth all-time appearance in the conference finals, the Ads are out for revenge against the team that knocked them out just a season ago, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Much like the first series of the Ads' 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, with a flare for the dramatic, the adrenaline Admirals' second series of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs went the full five games. Splitting the first four games, the Ads finished off the Griffins, once again leaning on home-ice advantage—and the sensational atmosphere of the estimated 8,000 fans at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena—to propel them to a series dub.
The Admirals now face their toughest test yet, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. The Firebirds cruised to a series win against the Ontario Reign in a tidy three games, earning them some much-needed rest. The team played their last game on May 19, leaving the Firebirds time to recover before the Admirals pay them a visit in California on Wednesday, May 29.
Rest notwithstanding, should the Ads steal one in Coachella Valley, they can once again count on the home faithful to bring the energy to UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena for Games 3, 4 and 5 with the opportunity to close it out on home ice.
Western Conference Finals Schedule
Game 1
Milwaukee Admirals @ Coachella Valley Firebirds
Admirals 1 - 2 Firebirds
Game 2
Milwaukee Admirals @ Coachella Valley Firebirds
Admirals 1 - 3 Firebirds
Game 3
Milwaukee Admirals vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Firebirds 5 - 2 Admirals
Game 4
Milwaukee Admirals vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Firebirds 2 - 7 Admirals
Game 5
Milwaukee Admirals vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Saturday, June 8, at 6 p.m.
Game 6*
Milwaukee Admirals @ Coachella Valley Firebirds
Wednesday, June 10, at 9 p.m.
Game 7*
Milwaukee Admirals @ Coachella Valley Firebirds
Wednesday, June 12, at 9 p.m.
*If necessary.
Preview the Matchup
An undoubtedly compelling storyline, the Admirals' matchup with the Firebirds has it all. In Coachella Valley's two-year history, the teams have matched up twice in the postseason. Both in the Western Conference Finals. Last season, the Admirals were knocking on the door of their first Calder Cup Finals appearance since 2006, defeating the Manitoba Moose and the Texas Stars, both in five games. The only thing that stood in the Ads' way? AHL newcomers, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
In their inaugural season, the Firebirds set the league alight, finishing second only to the Calgary Wranglers in the Western Conference. The Firebirds had a knack for dramatic moments, finishing each of their first three series in a decisive final game. Game 3 in the First Round, Game 5 in the Second Round, and Game 5 in the Third Round put the California club through to the Western Conference Finals.
Here they met the Admirals, coming off an exciting Second Round-sealing win themselves and the team's first appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 17 years. Unfortunately, the Ads couldn't complete their Calder Cup quest, falling to the Firebirds in six games. The Firebirds went on to the Calder Cup Finals, only to be bested in seven games by the Hershey Bears.
This season, the Coachella Firebirds picked up right where they left off, leading the Western Conference with 103 points, just six better than the Admirals at 97. Of note, the Admirals and the Firebirds did not face off during the regular season.
The Admirals and the Firebirds are set to renew terms with a level record, 0-0, as this enticing matchup promises plenty of fireworks. Will the Firebirds repeat as back-to-back Western Conference Champions? Or will the Admirals continue their chase for the cup for the team's first cup in 20 years.
So, as we turn our attention to the Western Conference Finals, let’s take another look at the Ads' regular season by the numbers.
Ads by the Numbers
950 minutes. The Admirals spent just 950 minutes in the penalty box this season, ranking No. 12 overall in the AHL and seventh in the Western Conference. The teams’ composure under pressure will come in handy as the intensity picks up in the post-season.
238 goals for the team this season. The Ads’ offense was on fire this season, leading the Central Division in scoring and finishing behind only the Coachella Firebirds (252) in the Western Conference.
97 points scored by wins and draws, making the Admirals the AHL’s No. 3 overall seed.
47 wins for the Admirals in the regular season, which, despite fewer points, places them ahead of the Coachella Firebirds (46) for the second-most wins in the league.
19 consecutive wins. The team rewrote the AHL history books this season as they strung together 19 wins in a row. Falling 10 wins short of breaking the Norfolk Admirals 2011-12 record of 28 consecutive W’s, the Milwaukee Admirals’ white-hot streak marked the league’s second longest in league history.
7 wins. Beginning Wednesday, May 29, only eight wins stand between the Admirals and the coveted Calder Cup.
$3 off. Get in the game! Purchase your Ads tickets here and experience the pure adrenaline of playoff hockey! Use code VTM to get $3 off each ticket at checkout.
2 seed. The Admirals will begin their chase for the cup as the No. 2 seed, sitting behind the Western Conference points leaders, the Coachella Firebirds.
But what do all these numbers mean? What does it all amount to? Well, we hope it all Ads up to Milwaukee’s first Calder Cup in two decades.
Make it a Power Play Stay
Get the Ads-vantage of playoff hockey in Milwaukee when you stay at one of the nearby hotels. Whether it’s the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee just across the street, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel a few blocks away or any of the phenomenal places to stay downtown, get the most out of your Milwaukee Admirals postseason experience.
Pre-game Bites
Bites, then fights! There are so many great dining options around the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, from the classic sports bar vibe right across the street at Major Goolsby’s to sizzling steaks at The Capital Grille, classic Milwaukee meals featuring the city’s hallmark bratwursts at Milwaukee Brat House, Mader’s or Old German Beer Hall to crowd-pleasing global faire at 3rd Street Market Hall, when it comes to dining, we’ve to it all.
