The "Other" Playoffs

While everyone is focussing on the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs, tomorrow's players are playing for the AHL's Calder Cup. While some of the parent clubs of these teams are still alive, the AHL has finished its first-round series, leaving only eight teams standing. There were a few upsets in the first round, and we'll look at how the fortunes of the NHL teams in the playoffs have affected the AHL playoffs so far, and how the NHL playoffs will affect the AHL playoffs into the second round. The Calder Cup is up for grabs, and eight teams have a shot at greatness.

In the Atlantic Division Final, the Manchester Monarchs and Providence Bruins clash. The Bruins have already won Game One by a score of 6-3, giving them the lead in the series. Manchester finished first in the Atlantic Division this year with 110 points, and defeated the fourth-place Worcester Sharks in Round One four games to two. Manchester's parent club, the Los Angeles Kings, missed the playoffs, so they have all their players in their lineup already, including Patrick O'Sullivan and Oleg Tverdovsky. The Providence Bruins finished third in the Atlantic Division with 94 points, and defeated the second-place Hartford Wolfpack in Round One four games to three. Providence's parent club, the Boston Bruins, missed the playoffs, so they also have all their players in their lineup already, including Hannu Toivonen. Game Two goes tonight in Manchester, New Hampshire.

In the East Division Final, the Hershey Bears face off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Hershey was the best team in the AHL this season, finishing with 114 points, and the Bears defeated the Albany River Rats four games to one in Round One. Hershey's parent club, the Washington Capitals, missed the playoffs, so they had their lineup intact when the playoffs started, showcasing such players as Tomas Fleischmann and Quintin Laing. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins finished second in the East Division with 108 points, and defeated the Norfolk Admirals four games to two. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's parent club, the Pittsburgh Penguins, lost in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. No players were returned to the Baby Penguins from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Game One is tonight in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

In the West Division Final, the Chicago Wolves tangle with the Iowa Stars. The Chicago Wolves finished second in the West Division with 101 points, and defeated the Milwaukee Admirals in a sweep in Round One. Chicago's parent club, the Atlanta Thrashers, lost in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, but had no players returned to the Wolves. The Iowa Stars finished fourth in the West Division with 88 points, and upset the first-place Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, winning the series four games to two. The Stars' parent team, the Dallas Stars, sent no players back to Iowa for this next series. Game One goes tonight in Chicago, Illinois.

In the North Division Final, the Manitoba Moose meet up with another Canadian team in the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Moose finished first in the North Division with 102 points, and defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins four games to three in the opening round. The Moose's parent club, the Vancouver Canucks, have returned Yannick Tremblay to Manitoba, but Nathan Smith and Alex Edler remain with Vancouver. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished third in the North Division with 95 points, and beat the second-place Rochester Americans four games to two in the opening round. Hamilton's parent club, the Montreal Canadiens, missed the playoffs, meaning that Hamilton's stars such as Russina brothers Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn and Maxim Lapierre have showcased their talents thus far in the Calder Cup playoffs. Game One of the North Division Final goes Saturday in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

If you're looking for some action, check out the teams' websites for radio and streaming broadcasts of the games. It might not be NHL action, but it is sometimes better. After all, these are the guys who will be battling for the Stanley Cup in the next few years. Why not check them out now? Until next time, keep your stick on the ice!