Hockey Fans Keep Careful Watch on NHL and AHL Playoffs

While many hockey fans are carefully watching the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs another group is keeping tabs on the "next best league"...the Calder Cup Playoffs.  The American Hockey League (AHL) is also down to its "final four".

In the Western Conference still standing are Rockford and Texas. The IceHogs and Stars open their series on Friday night (5/18).  In the Eastern Conference Lehigh Valley and Toronto are set to meet this weekend.  The Marlies and Phantoms begin their Best-of -Seven series on Saturday.  The winners will then advance to play in the Calder Cup Championship Round.

The AHL will open the 2018-19 season on Friday, October 5.  The Binghamton Devils will open their home schedule on Saturday, October 6.  One change that Binghamton Devils' fans will note is that Cleveland has moved from the AHL's Central Division to the North Division which is the same division as the Devils.  The Monsters are affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Cleveland will visit the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena twice during the upcoming season.  Their addition brings to eight teams now in the North Division of the Eastern Conference.