Munich, Germany - 60 games is a long time to wait for your chance to contend for the championship. It is finally here and tonight will be the start of another run towards the title.

As a player, the playoffs are what you play hockey for. They are by far the most exciting experience you get as a hockey player. Everything is magnified. Every small little play is appreciated. Every faceoff is crucial. Every save makes your heart skip a beat. Every goal is a dream come true. We are at the point where, as a team, we will sacrifice our personal goals to give everything we have to our team's success.

Personally, I love the pressure. Playing Augsburg will be a good test for our team. Their fans will be here in Munich tonight doing their best to make it seem like a road game. I've seen enough playoff hockey to know that home ice advantage means only one thing --- not as much travel. I find it so difficult to rest in the afternoons of playoff games because I can't stop the butterflies from stirring in my stomach. It's these butterflies that make the playoffs so special.

It is time for the Barons to shine. 1st place means very little unless you can hold the cup at the end of the playoffs. It's the cup we want and we are hungry!