Lightning/Penguins meet in playoffs on two organizational levels

by John Fontana on Apr 11, 2011 10:24 AM EDT in The Minors

During the final few days of the season, outside the drama of the Tampa Bay Lightning March losing streak and the Atlantic Division title fight between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, we've had a pretty good inkling that the Bolts and Penguins would be first round foes in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal round.

But here's an interesting aspect: The Bolts and Pens are also squaring off in the first round of the AHL playoffs.

Last night, the Norfolk Admirals beat the Connecticut Whale. The Ads had already clinched a playoff berth (their first while affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning), but they had not clinched their seeding in the. With their victory, the club clinched the 6th seed in the AHL's Eastern Conference, and will be matched up against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to start the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.

I don't know how often it happens, but it does seem like an interesting situation -- the fact the two organizations are paired up as opponents in two different leagues, in the first round of their respective playoffs.

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That is pretty interesting. Although I must say that the NHL matchup is a lot more of an evenly match up then the AHL Calder Cup Playoff series (on paper at least).

by xaryss on Apr 11, 2011 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

Having gone to a couple of games in February in Norfolk vs. WBS, I like the Admirals’ chances.

It is an interesting match-up for sure; WBS and Norfolk played each other many times of the past 80 games, going 3-3-2 in the 8 games played between the two teams. The two teams know each other, leading me to believe it’ll be a 6- or 7-game series.

In Norfolk, the Ads went 2-1-1 against WBS, and 1-2-1 at WBS.

I think it’ll be a good series.

by MTBoltFan on Apr 11, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

Based on solely the one game I saw last night, the Admirals look good.

Granted, the Whale aren’t the most impressive team, but they looked hopeless last night for most of the game. The first period was really telling: 20 shots against, but only 4 shots against the Admirals. Overall, it was rather impressive how often the Ads controlled the puck.

I don’t know much about the Admirals’ players, so I can’t really speak about anyone’s individual performance. All I know is that holy crap, #44 is a friggin’ beast….he towered over everyone else on the ice.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 11, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

That's a bit confusing....first period, Ads had 20 shots on goal against the Whale, and the Whale only had four shots on the Ads.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 11, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

— Vladmir Mihalik. Huge guy, but has yet to break in with the Lightning. He’s made appearances in TB but hasn’t stuck around.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Apr 11, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not impressed

Mihalik may be tall, but he can’t move the puck, and doesn’t play the body as often as he could/should.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again here: I think the Lightning will let him go at the end of this year without a qualifying offer tendered (he’s an RFA after this season).

by MTBoltFan on Apr 11, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree – he’s not stood out at all the few times I’ve seen them play.

The ways of Jedi Master Yzerman are not the ways of others.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Apr 11, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Same with the other night....he looked huge so I kept an eye on him, but he did about squat on the ice.

Not even any real big hits….very quiet player for such a large profile.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 12, 2011 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

will Mike Smith be starting for you guys

I was a big fan of him when he was on the stars and if he is, I’ll probably root for you guys

by starsfan84 on Apr 11, 2011 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

No, Dwayne Roloson shoudl be starting.

Smith had not played great this season. He’s improved since his recall (yes, recall) from AHL Norfolk.

But since his concussion during the 2008-09 seeason, he hasn’t been the same a when he was on teh Stars.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Apr 11, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

If they go to a Game 5, which they probably will, then I plan on heading down to Norfolk to watch.

The ways of Jedi Master Yzerman are not the ways of others.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Apr 11, 2011 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

I see a good battle ahead

If Tic can come back strong we have a fighting chance. Norfolk is not deep enough to withstand a raid on their forward ranks should an injury happen to a lightning player. If Norfolks loses to WBS expect Yzerman to call up Ritola, Harju and maybe Jones to bolster the Bolts chances.

Don in St Pete

by Don in St Pete on Apr 11, 2011 9:38 PM EDT reply actions