CAVENDISH FARMS REPORT - 17.05.22

Call it a stress test, a measuring stick, or a look in the mirror - playoff hockey will reveal cracks in the foundation, if there are any.
Stockton's first series of the Calder Cup Playoffs presented a challenge as they faced rival Bakersfield in a best-of-five series - the first-ever clash between the Highway 99 rivals in the AHL's version of the Battle of Alberta.
Three games played, three games won, just further proof that the Heat are built to withstand whatever is thrown at them.

"We found different ways to win hockey games against a very good opponent," summarized head coach Mitch Love. "Heading into the series and heading into the playoffs, our game wasn't really where it needed to be to find wins. So I was happy with our response and effort against a very good team. That's what it's about this time of year, finding wins.
"We'll park that series, learn from it in different areas where we can be even better, improve our game and get ourselves straightened out for a very good opponent coming up in Colorado."
The series was short and to the point, no fat on this three-game sweep. Stockton held serve on home ice with a 3-1 win in Game 1 and a 3-2 victory in game two, jumping out to an early cushion in the series opener but having to battle through a tight game in the second tilt. In Game 3, the Heat faced their first deficit of the series but overcame the low ground less than a minute later en route to a 6-4 win.
Three games, 33 seconds of time trailing - all in all, a successful start to the playoff run.
The first series confirmed the Heat's strength is in its depth scoring. The first two game-winners went to third-line winger Emilio Pettersen in his first two career Calder Cup Playoff games. The clincher went to Walker Duehr, who has embraced a checking role. Each finished the series tied with defenceman Nick DeSimone for Stockton's team lead with a pair of goals.
Full team effort, everyone rowing the boat in the same direction. That's what it takes to be successful when schedules turn to series and there's a trophy to be lifted at the end of the tournament.
"If you look at any playoff series, you're going to need everybody to step up this time of year," said Love. "Different guys are going to step up at different times. We've talked about that throughout the year and how important that is, especially at this level where there's lots of movement, there's injuries, and you need people to step up. So we were prepared for that. Good on certain guys to step up when they were needed to at the hardest time of the year.
"Now it's about consistency and being able to continue that. But also, we need more out of certain guys. We need more guys to step up. If you didn't like what your first round looked like, you've got another opportunity here against another good team. A lot of similarities (between Colorado and Bakersfield). You've got to elevate your play and bring more to the table."
For a team chomping at the bit to keep the momentum going through the playoffs, the Heat are now abiding by Tom Petty's warning - the waiting is the hardest part. The best-of-five Pacific Division Finals series against Colorado won't start until May 23 - giving the Heat just three games in 22 days since the calendar flipped to May before they aim to reaffirm their division dominance.
It's a steep test waiting for them, the Eagles having swept a pair of series - the first-round, best-of-three over Henderson, and most recently an upset in a sweep of second-seeded Ontario.
In a time of year where everything is earned and nothing comes easy, the champ is ready to face all takers. The Eagles are just the next squad on the hit list.
"Our preparation, our starts (against Bakersfield) in those games, we knew they had to be strong," said Love. "Whether you score first or have to kill penalties, weather storms, whatever you have to do to get yourself through some scenarios, our guys did a good job with that. We're going to face adversity in these playoffs, and probably in this next round, where we'll be down for more than 33 seconds.
"How do we respond to that? We've got to be prepared for that. It'll be a teachable moment for us as we get there. I'm excited to see what we bring against a tough opponent."

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

Tuesday vs. Bakersfield - W, 3-1
Wednesday vs. Bakersfield - W, 3-2
Friday at Bakersfield - W, 6-4

QUICK HITS:

THEY SAID IT:

"It's been a process for him. He's an individual that I felt trended the way you want to see a young player trend at this level, which is just get better each and every game, each and every practice, and put work into your mindset and your craft. It's tough to be good this time of year. He was able to have some big goals for us and play some good hockey for us in a tight, competitive playoff series. That's what it's about, seeing where guys step up and elevate their game this time of year. That's a big confidence builder for him. But I'm not surprised, because he trended that way over the last few months and got better and better. We need more guys to do that."
- Mitch Love on Emilio Pettersen's play
"We've had a great season series with Colorado. I know that doesn't mean anything now, but it does paint a picture in terms of what to expect on both sides. A lot of similarities between the two opponents we've had in the playoffs. A little bit more veteran back end (for Colorado over Bakersfield), a big group, physical, hard. Their forward group is quick, fast, physical. Good in transition. They have the ability to score. And their goaltending has been really good all year. We see a lot of similarities (with Bakersfield). We'll do our homework and do what we need to do, make sure our game is right and continue to improve here in the playoffs. We're excited for the matchup."
- Love on the matchup with Colorado
"It's a big part of it. Coach Love has a bit more faith in me. He's putting me out there in key situations. Five-on-five I've been playing a ton. It's been good. I just want to keep building off it."
- Emilio Pettersen on the impact of a strong second half on his fast start in the playoffs
"We have a belief from the staff down to us. Everybody believes we're going to win close games. We've been resilient all year. We only lost two a handful of times in a row. It's what we worked on all year through a 68-game regular season."
- Nick DeSimone on Stockton's play in close games
"I think (Dustin Wolf) is the best goalie in the league. I've played hockey since I was four, and he's the best goalie I've played with so far in my young career. He brings it every night he plays. It's nice to be able to rely on him."
- Jakob Pelletier on Dustin Wolf's play