With the majority of the second round series underway in the Calder Cup Playoffs, here's an update on how teams are doing in their respective series
April, May and June is the best time of year. The weather is beginning to warm and the sun is shining. With this time of year, it also brings about playoffs across the hockey world.
After the grind of the regular season, the teams good enough to have made the playoffs are battling each others in hopes of being crowned champions. In turn, this creates the most exciting hockey for fans.
With the start of the second round of the AHL playoffs having passed (for the majority of the teams still standing), fans have been rewarded with high-pace, exciting hockey thus far.
Here's an update on how each team/series is going thus far:
Atlantic Division Semifinals
Hershey Bears vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms
After being rewarded with a bye into the second round, the Hershey Bears opened up their series with the Phantoms with a 2-1 win in Game 1.
With offensive contributions from Hendrix Lapierre and Henrik Rybinski as well as 30 saves from Hunter Shepard, the defending Calder Cup champions took home their first victory of the playoffs.
Although Lehigh Valley swept Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the first round, they will be in tough against the Bears who finished first place in the standings during the regular season.
With the second game of the series scheduled to take place on Saturday, this series is one that fans will want to pay close attention to.
Providence Bruins vs. Hartford Wolf Pack
In another series that sees two evenly matched teams going up against each other, the Wolf Pack began the second round with a 4-3 win over the Bruins in Game 1.
Tyler Pitlick led the way for the Wolf Pack with a goal and two assists with Jake Leschyshyn and Brett Berard each collecting two points.
With a bye into the second round, the Bruins had to wait 10 days to play their first playoff game and the wait may have affected them.
Although this series is far from over, both teams will need their top players to show up. With Game 2 scheduled for tomorrow night, it will be interesting to see if the Bruins can bounce back to even up the series.
North Division Semifinals
Cleveland Monsters vs. Belleville Senators
After eliminating the Toronto Marlies in overtime of Game 3 this past Sunday, the Senators kept their momentum going with a 2-1 Game 1 victory over the Monsters Wednesday.
With both goalies standing on their heads, it was Mads Sogaard who came away with the victory after stopping 31 of 32 shots. Egor Sokolov and Angus Crookshank found the back of the net for the Senators while Josh Dunne scored for the Monsters.
Similar to the Bruins, the Monsters had a first-round bye that saw them have an extended break between games. While it is hard to judge either team after not seeing game action for a while, it will be important for the Monsters to rebound quickly if they want to stay afloat in a quick five game series.
Game 2 is scheduled to take place tomorrow night in Belleville.
Rochester Americans vs. Syracuse Crunch
In the battle of two New York teams, the Americans and Crunch is one of two series to have played multiple games this far.
Game 1, which took place last Friday, saw the Americans take home a 3-2 victory with goals by Anton Wahlberg, Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund. With Gabriel Fortier leading the way, it was the Crunch who came away with a 4-3 victory in Game 2 on Sunday.
With Game 3 scheduled to get underway tonight, it will be important for Syracuse to come out of the gates with intensity. The Americans have scored first in both games of the series and the Crunch were able to take home Game 2 due in part to three goals scored in just over ten minutes of play.
Central Division Semifinals
Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Rockford IceHogs
The second of two series to have played multiple games, the Griffins and IceHogs have both taken a win home so far.
The Griffins came away with a Game 1 3-2 OT victory last Saturday, with Jonatan Bergrren scoring an impressive goal to seal the win.
With Game 2 taking place last night, the IceHogs dominated and took home the 5-1 victory. Mike Hardman led the way with two goals and an assist while Drew Commesso made 27 saves between the pipes.
Game 3 gets underway tomorrow night in Grand Rapids.
Pacific Division Semifinals
Ontario Reign vs. Abbotsford Canucks
With Game 1 having been played last night, the Reign took the early lead in the series with a 3-1 victory.
Leading the way for the Reign was T.J. Tynan who scored the opening goal and assisted the eventual game winner. Erik Portillo came up with some big saves, stopping 23 of 24.
Having not lost a game so far, the Reign will be a team to watch as the playoffs progress. Although the Canucks knocked off a good Colorado Eagles team, they will need to bring their A game if they hope to keep this series when the puck drops on Game 2 Sunday.
Both the Milwaukee Admirals/Texas Stars and Coachella Valley Firebirds/Calgary Wranglers series have yet to start. Game 1 of the Stars and Admirals is tonight while the Wranglers and Firebirds start their series tomorrow.
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