Claude Noel may not have openly rooted against the Nashville Predators during the Stanley Cup playoffs, but he may very well want to send them a thank-you card for losing early.
Since the Predators failed to get past San Jose, the team was able to send players back to the Milwaukee Admirals - Nashville's American Hockey League affiliate - in time for the West Division Finals.
Nobody, right now, is happier than Noel, the Admirals head coach.
Needing a spark to close out the West Division semifinals, the Predators sent forward Jordin Tootoo back for the seventh game. Tootoo scored the game-winner to knock out Iowa and help Milwaukee advance to the next round.
During the first two games against Houston, Tootoo has taken control of the series, scoring four goals - including a hat trick in Game 2 - and picking up an assist.
"You have to like the impact the players they've sent us have had," said Noel, whose team leads the best-of-seven series with the Aeros, 2-0..
His Predators teammates have stepped in as well. Defenseman Shea Weber and forward Scottie Upshall have combined to score three times, respectively, and have notched five points since coming back to Milwaukee. Between the pipes, another prodigal Predator has done his part, as well.
Pekka Rinne was an AHL all-star with the Admirals this season, but an injury to Nashville starter Tomas Vokoun meant a promotion for Rinne. He returned to Milwaukee and started Game 1 for the Admirals, allowing four goals in a victory. He was flawless in Game 2, stopping 32 shots in a 7-0 shutout of the Aeros.
"At times it looked like the puck was moving in slow motion,' Noel said. "He really had things in control."
Rinne's return has been especially helpful for the team, after starter Brian Finley was sidelined with a lower-body injury in Game 6 against Iowa. Jake Moreland had been starting in the meantime.
The Nashville boys have dominated the stats so far, but their impact on their teammates has been immeasurable. Darren Haydar set the franchise record for playoff goals with four in the first round, and has added two against Houston. Having guys with considerable NHL experience around him has forced the 2003 AHL Rookie of the Year to take his game up a notch.
"They've had a tremendous impact on our team," Haydar said after Game 1. "They've given us a whole new dimension and the rest of us have to step our games up, too."
Greg Zanon - the team captain - agreed. Oftentimes, guys that get sent back down are less than pleased to be in the minors again, but Zanon says that Tootoo, Upshall, Weber, and Rinne have brought the right attitude.
"These guys are happy to be here," Zanon said. "They've been here before and they know what we're trying to accomplish together. We were a pretty good team to begin with, and with the depth they give us, we're even better now."
The Admirals last won the Calder Cup during the 2003-'04 season. Thanks to the Predators, another championship for Milwaukee might not be too far out of reach.
