Editor's note: This is the first installment of "Admirals Playoff Diary," OnMilwaukee.com's exclusive look at the Milwaukee Admrials as they progress through the American Hockey League playoffs in search of their second Calder Cup championship in three years. Take it away, Darren.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE PLAYOFFS, I have to start out with by describing a humbling recent experience. I threw out the first pitch at the Brewers' game on Wednesday night at Miller Park. With the entire team watching, I did what I always make fun of other people for doing:

I threw a 58-foot pitch.

I just got up to the mound and I basically forgot what I was doing. I didn't look at Damian Miller, the catcher. As I went to throw, I told myself that I didn't want to over throw him.

I guess all that I can say about it is that I thought it was cricket. It bounced in there nicely for a strike. Miller framed it in there for a strike.

Maybe the batter was expecting my heat and I decided to change speeds on him and he would have swung at it, anyway?

The boys really razzed me for it, though, but I don't blame them. I would be razzing whoever it was, too. It was just good fun.

The playoffs are fun, too. I really look forward to the intensity that comes along with them. The first 80 games prepare you for the playoffs. I think that's the way I have always been. You take the last 20 or 30 games and try and fine-tune whatever you need for the playoffs.

One of the reasons the Houston series is fun is because we get to play against some former teammates. It is a good challenge because you know them a little bit. You know Murph (Aeros defenseman Curtis Murphy) is obviously one of the top defenseman in the league. [Bryan] Lundbohm is playing extremely well this postseason. He is their leading scorer and he proved that Thursday night with three assists in the game

I think there is a lot of respect between those guys and myself, because I respect the way they play and hopefully they do the same. And we're still both trying to accomplish the same goal of winning games. When you are on the ice, you don't think of them as friends. They are an opponent and you do whatever you can to win the game.

During the summer time I play a lot of golf and when we go to San Antonio or Houston during the regular season I try to play, but I don't think I will be able to get any in this trip. Monday is going to be time to recover and especially with traveling and playing in the same day on Sunday.

My parents like to come to as many games as they can and they are looking into some flights and stuff, but I don't think they're going to make it. They are hoping that we advance so they can see the road games in the next round.

They are coming for Game 2 at the Bradley Center, however, all the way from the Toronto area. It is between a nine and 11-hour drive, depending on when you hit Chicago. With the cost of gas, I am not sure if it saves a lot of money driving. Sometimes, they split up the drive by going half way one day and half the next and sometimes they just drive all the way through. I don't know could make that trip as often as they have, but I definitely appreciate it when the come.