Four former IceDogs are taking part in their first professional playoff runs, Jeremy Smith in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones, Drew Schiestel and Michael Swift in the AHL, Schiestel with the Portland Pirates and Swift with the Lowell Devils, and last, but not least, Matt Corrente in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils.

Jeremy Smith is proving himself to be a tough playoff goalie, backstopping the Cyclones to an open round victory over the defending league champion South Carolina Stingrays in the opening round of the ECHL playoffs, and now sitting tied a 1-1 in his second round series versus the South Division champion Charlotte Checkers.

Smith has been spectacular, leading ECHL goalies in the playoffs with a 2.23 GAA and one shutout, as well as sitting second in save percentage at .919.  The shutout came in a 1-0 OT game three victory for Cincinnati, while the opening round series victory came in a do or die game 5 that saw Smith make 32 saves in a 3-2 OT victory to keep the Cyclones season alive.

In Portland, Drew Schiestel is enjoying his first taste of AHL playoff action in his rookie season, having played two games thus far, as his Portland Pirates take on the Manchester Monarchs in first round Calder Cup playoff action.  In the regular season, Schiestel enjoyed a successful rookie campaign, registering 1 goal and 11 assists to go along with 19 PIM and a +5 rating in 52 games.

In Lowell, Michael Swift is also enjoying his first AHL playoff campaign, in this his second season after Lowell missed the playoffs in his rookie year.  Lowell and the Devils are opening their Calder Cup Playoff run against the Worcester Sharks, with Swift having taken part in all three Devils playoff games thus far, recording 1 assist and 4 penalty minutes in those games.  Swift will be looked upon to help carry the load offensively for the Devils, having finished the regular season as the team's leading goal scorer with 24 goals, while being second on the team in points with 55 in his 76 games.

Finally, Matt Corrente is enjoying his first taste of professional playoff hockey with the New Jersey Devils, as they take on the Philadelphia Flyers in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Corrente has dressed in the last two Devils playoff games, not at his normal position along the blueline, but rather on the right wing.  In those two games, Corrente has been held scoreless, but he has registered 3 shots and picked up 2 PIM in limited playing time. 

In this his second pro season, Corrente has been back and forth between Lowell and New Jersey on multiple occasions, having picked up five goals and 15 assists, along with 74 PIM in 40 games for Lowell, as well as picking up 24 penalty minutes in 12 games with New Jersey.  Corrente is making his professional playoff debut with the Devils, having also missed the playoffs in his rookie season with Lowell.

The IceDogs would like to wish all four players the best of luck as they begin what are hopefully long playoff runs!