Greetings from the sports desk located somewhere below the main deck of the Good Pirate Ship RedState. I had planned on this post being an examination of the NHL playoffs, but much to Sammy the Shark and Karl the Kraken’s displeasure, other sports demand attention this time through. However, we have sourced news of a comforting nature for our favorite sea monsters. Although their respective favorite NHL franchises did not make it into this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, their primary minor league teams not only worked their way into the postseason but have both advanced to the second round. The Seattle Kraken’s AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, is set to take on the Abbotsford Canucks. At the same time, the San José Sharks’ AHL squad, the San José Barracuda, will head for the mountains and a series against the Colorado Eagles….