Bears Sink Admirals In Calder Cup Finals » Brats & Beer

June 16, 2006
posted under: Admirals, Calder Cup

The Hershey Bears proved to be too much for the Admirals, besting Milwaukee 5-1 last night at the Bradley Center to win the Calder Cup in six games. The Bears jumped out to an early lead once again, with net minder Pekka Rinne giving up two goals in the first six minutes of the game. Head coach Claude Noel decided to pull Rinne after that, but reliever Brian Finley fared little better, allowing another goal in the opening frame and one apiece in the final two periods. Darren Haydar came up with Milwaukee’s lone point on a power play in the second.

Despite falling short of the Cup, it was a good run for the Admirals, winning 49 games in the regular season to win the West Division title. Haydar led everyone in the playoffs with 18 goals and 17 assists, while Simon Gamache came up with 12 goals and 16 assists. I would suspect they might get a shot at making the Predators roster next year.

Speaking of youngsters playing hockey, the NHL Draft is coming up June 24, and there are some Badger names to keep an eye on. Derrick LaPoint, a defenseman for Eau Claire North High School, is considered a possible second round pick this year, while Ben Street, who scored 10 goals and had five assists for the NCAA champion Badgers this year, is also a top prospect. And representing the Hawkeye state, Keye Okposo is seen as a first rounder. Actually, Okposo is from St. Paul, but he helped lead the Des Moines Buccaneers to a Memorial Cup trophy back in May.