'It's Been A Blast': Evangelista Enjoying Deep Playoff Run with Milwaukee

As the Milwaukee Admirals stepped off the plane in Palm Springs, California ahead of Game One of the Western Conference Final, the team was greeted by a bright desert sun and temperatures nearing a sweltering 100 degrees.

The Ads, however, had arrived in the California desert on Monday with some heat of their own.

Forward Luke Evangelista, who skated in the 10th postseason game of his young professional career on Sunday, now leads the Admirals and ranks third in the American Hockey League with 13 points (4g-9a).

"It's been pretty good so far," Evangelista said. "I'm obviously finding some personal success, but I think at the end of day, it's just part of my role to produce offensively. And when I'm doing that, it helps the team win."

Indeed, Evangelista's consistent production has fueled Milwaukee's postseason momentum through two series and three elimination games - the last of which saw the forward tally a pair of assists.

In turn, those do-or-die scenarios gave the 21-year-old invaluable experience.

"I think just playing those elimination games, you can feel the intensity in the atmosphere and on the benches and between the players," he said. "Obviously they can be nerve-racking sometimes when so much is on the line, but personally, I've just had a lot of fun in those situations. And we've been able to come out on top which has been really good for us."

Evangelista's postseason play comes on the heels of a whirlwind year for the young winger.

After his first taste of AHL action in Milwaukee, an AHL All-Star Classic nod and finally a 24-game run with the Nashville Predators, Evangelista's reassignment to Milwaukee for the Calder Cup Playoffs was simply viewed as another great opportunity.

"I think that's the reason that Nashville wanted to send us back at the end of the year," he said. "You experienced those big games when your season was on the line, and fortunately for us, we've now been able to come out on top a couple times here [in the playoffs]. And I think the experience you get from these kinds of playoff runs really help you in the long run."

As he continues to navigate his first American League postseason, Evangelista has found plenty of guidance in a locker room boasting one Stanley Cup champion, two Calder Cup champions and playoff experience to spare.

"We've got a lot of experience in the room," he said. "We've got Stanley Cup and Calder Cup champions in the room. So there's not just one guy I can point out. I think everyone as a whole has been really good in leaning on each other and supporting each other."

That group will face its toughest challenge yet starting Thursday, as they take the ice against the Coachella Valley Firebirds - a never-before-played opponent - in Game One of the Western Conference Final.

Don't let the stakes of the game fool you, though. Being a Milwaukee Admiral - as far as Evangelista is concerned, anyway - is still as fun as ever.

"At the end of the day, we're just playing for each other," Evangelista said. "We love each other in the locker room and we enjoy playing with each other and I think you can see it, just the camaraderie we have on this squad. And it's been awesome to be a part of."

Fans can watch Evangelista and the rest of the Admirals by joining the Preds at Ford Ice Center Bellevue for Calder Cup Playoffs Watch Parties,

purchasing an AHLTV Playoffs All-Access subscription

or following the

.

And see below for the full Western Conference Final schedule:

Game One: Milwaukee at Coachella Valley; Thursday, May 25 at 9 p.m. CT
Game Two: Milwaukee at Coachella Valley; Saturday, May 27 at 9 p.m. CT
Game Three: Coachella Valley at Milwaukee; Monday, May 29, 6 p.m. CT
Game Four: Coachella Valley at Milwaukee; Thursday, June 1, 7 p.m. CT
\Game Five: Coachella Valley at Milwaukee; Saturday, June 3 at 6 p.m. CT
\Game Six: Milwaukee at Coachella Valley; Monday, June 5 at 9 p.m. CT
\Game Seven: Milwaukee at Coachella Valley; Wednesday, June 7 at 9 p.m. CT
\If necessary

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Admirals