Any coach, player or fan knows the difference between regular-season and playoff hockey.

My son, Samson, just over 2 years old, learned that hard way on Saturday.

The Monsters' 6-4 playoff win over Manitoba at The Q wasn't his first-ever hockey game. He and I took in a February game that wasn't heavily attended. When the home team scored a goal on that day, Samson's reaction was, "Huh, what happened?"

On Saturday, with almost 8,000 in attendance, the Monsters struck first and the crowd was in a frenzy. Samson? Well, let's just say the poor little guy had never heard anything like it. He cried for a few moments, needed a hug, then all was better.

Yes, it's playoff hockey time in Cleveland, and I find myself wanting more. Samson? We'll see.

- Mark Podolski