The Rockford IceHogs and Lehigh Valley Phantoms have advanced to the Division Semifinals in the Calder Cup Playoffs after both teams won their best-of-three first round series two games to none.
The Phantoms dispatched the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in two games, just as they did in the first round in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Defenseman Helge Grans scored the series clinching goal with two minutes to go in game two.
The Phantoms were led by youngsters Jett Luchanko (four assists in two games) and recently signed Alex Bump (two goals in two games). Anthony Richard added two goals and an assist.
Lehigh Valley will take on either the Hershey Bears or Charlotte Checkers in the second round.
The IceHogs defeated state rival Chicago Wolves in two games, 2024 second overall pick Artyom Levshunov scored the overtime winner in game one before a 5-0 Rockford win in game two.
Goaltender Drew Commesso had an impressive first round, stopping 66 of 67 shots faced for a .985 SP.
Cole Guttman leads the IceHogs with three assists in two games, while Kevin Korchinski and Gerry Mayhew both scored two goals in the series. '
The IceHogs were assigned 2024 third round selection AJ Spellacy yesterday, it will be interested to see if he enters the lineup going forward.
Rockford will take on the Milwaukee Admirals in the Central Division Semifinals, game one gets underway May. 1.
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