New Seattle Kraken Coach Two Wins From AHL Title With Firebirds
If new Seattle Kraken coach Dan Bylsma didn't know it before, he certainly can confirm it now. Playoffs: Good; Layoffs: Bad.
Since the Coachella Valley Firebirds finished their regular season, a combination of factors has contributed to long stretches between series.
To start with, by winning the Western Division, the Seattle Kraken farm team earned a bye into the second round. Byslma said that proved to be a mixed blessing.
"Against (2nd round opponent) Calgary, it took us almost a game-and-a-half to get our legs into that series." In Game 1, the Wranglers handed Bylsma's Firebirds one of only three losses they've suffered in the postseason.
Coachella Valley went on to win the next three games to advance, then swept the Ontario Reign in the next round. "The second series, we did a better job," said the coach. Then, another layoff before the Western Conference Finals against Milwaukee.
"It's unsettling, to be honest with you. We've had an 11-day, a 9-day, a 7-day and a 6-day break. What to do with the team, when to practice, how much to practice, what level of practice so they're ready to play the next game."
For those who believe coaches have a plan for every contingency, no, they don't, when it comes to NOT playing. "I don't have an answer. You try different things and see what the result is."
Against the Admirals, the answer was a series victory in five games. Because it would take seven games for Hershey to win the East, Bylsma's troops endured another break. Between three road games in Milwaukee and the wait for Game 1 in Hershey, the Firebirds were away from home for more than two weeks.
"Sitting in Hershey for six days watching them play Games 6 and 7 (against Cleveland) felt a lot longer than the 11 days to start the playoffs."
Even so, Coachella was able to gain a road split against the Bears before finally returning home and posting a Game 3 victory.
With a 2-1 series lead and two wins from a Calder Cup, maybe the best news of all is that no matter how long the rest of the series goes, all remaining games are scheduled two days apart.