(Photo by: Josh Rasmussen)

The Milwaukee Admirals see their season end Friday night as they fell to the Texas Stars 2-1, eliminating them from the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs in four games—3-1. Milwaukee threw everything including the kitchen sink at Texas in order to force the game into overtime, but Cristopher Nilstorp was able to stop 17 of 18 shots in the third.

Forwards Taylor Beck, Daniel Bang, Kevin Henderson, Chris Mueller and Joonas Rask and defenseman Victor Bartley have all been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals for their race to for the Calder Cup.

Beck has been out the past three games of the season with Nashville due to an upper body injury. His return for Game 3 is still to be determined.

Meanwhile in the Stars' organization, Dallas assigned Alex Chiasson, Jordie Benn and Reilly Smith to Texas. 

Game 3 is Wednesday in Cedar Park, Texas at 7:30pm. The series is tied at one a piece in a best-of-five.

(Photo by: Scott Paulus Photography)

12:04 in the second period, Austin Watson unknowingly scored the game winner that would tie the series up at one between the Milwaukee Admirals and Texas Stars. Mike Liambas’ shot was blocked by Watson cutting through the slot and he snapped the puck past Nilstorp’s blocker.

Brett Ritchie scored the overtime game winner 11:44 in to give the Texas Stars a 3-2 win and, more importantly, 1-0 lead in this best-of-five series. “An unfortunate bounce with a rolling puck,” said Austin Watson. "That’s hockey and that’s overtime.”

The momentum swung the Stars’ direction after defenseman Scott Ford went to the penalty box four minutes before the game winning goal. Texas outshot Milwaukee 6-4 in extra time.

(Photo by: Steven Christy)

Texas Stars' goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp seeks the Calder Cup in his first career season in North America. Nilstorp acquired some experience in the NHL playing with the NHL affiliate Dallas Stars while Kari Lehtonen was injured.

(Photo by: Scott Paulus Photography)

Western Conference Quarter Finals (Best-of-Five Series)

#8 Milwaukee Admirals (Record; points) vs #1 Texas Stars (43-22-11; 97 points)

Coverage from the enemy: Hundred Degree Hockey

The Milwaukee Admirals head to the AHL Playoffs for the eleventh straight season, an AHL record, to take on the Texas Stars, the best of the West. Since the Nashville Predators have only a few more games remaining in the season, it is likely the Admirals will receive three to five players before Game 3. For Texas, their NHL affiliate Dallas Stars are battling for a playoff spot, thus not likely to acquire anyone pending their postseason situation.

Kevin Henderson and Daniel Bang has been temporarily reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals for their push to the AHL playoffs. Last night, the Nashville Predators lost in overtime to the Chicago Blackhawks. Nashville's next game will be Tuesday night against the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena.

Milwaukee will receive Henderson, who scored a goal in his NHL debut, and Bang just prior to puck drop tonight (Saturday) at 7pm in Chicago. Basically, they are staying put. It is likely that Henderson and Bang will be playing four games in five nights, which is tough for a young hockey player to deal with.

This is a must-win game in order to make the playoffs as they currently sit tied for the 8th spot with Rockford. 

If I'm not mistaken, the Admirals would clinch a playoff spot if they win in regulation and Rockford loses to the Texas Stars in regulation. No matter what the situation is, the Ads need to earn at least a point.

The Admirals' next and final game of the year will be in Peoria to take on the Rivermen. Depending on how everything unfolds tonight, it may or may not be a must win.

Here at Fang Faction, we will keep you up-to-date on the news surrounding Milwaukee. If they do qualify for the playoffs, we will cover every game.

Austin Watson, Daniel Bang and Mattias Ekholm have been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals Tuesday afternoon in the midst of a race to the American Hockey League playoffs. The Nashville Predators have a long break and will not be playing until Friday, April 12th.

The Nashville Predators reassigned center Chris Mueller to the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL Sunday afternoon. Mueller played six games while in Nashville and totaled three points (1 goal, 2 assists).

The center filled in for Paul Gaustad on the fourth line and was just as good at faceoffs as Gaustad is. But, because of Gaustad's return from injury Saturday afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche, Mueller was forced to be a scratch along with two other forwards--Mike Fisher (hand) and Bobby Butler. 

There appeared to be no room for Mueller due to everyone returning from injury, but if something occurs before too long, he will be Poile and Trotz's go-to guy in Milwaukee.

(Photo by: Mark Humphrey/AP)

Just before the clock struck noon Friday, the Nashville Predators sent forward Craig Smith on a conditioning assignment in Milwaukee. Smith was scratched Thursday in Nashville's 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames and the team appeared to be gelling quite well.

Smith has 3 goals in the thirty games and hasn't produced the way Barry Trotz and his coaching staff hoped he would in his sophomore season.

Here is the press release sent by the Predators.