AHL American Hockey League

AHL Playoff Picture Almost Set

April 7, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL) News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MA ... The American Hockey League's playoff picture is a little clearer after an exciting Saturday night, but many questions remain unanswered heading into the final day of the 2001-02 regular season.

The Grand Rapids Griffins clinched the West Division title with a 3-2 win over Chicago on Saturday. The Griffins (93 points, one game remaining) will be the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs, with Syracuse (96 pts.) earning the first seed and Norfolk (92 pts.) seeded third.

Houston and Utah will face off in a conference quarterfinal series as the fourth and fifth seeds in the West, although home-ice advantage won't be determined until after Sunday's action.

Hershey is currently sixth in the West, with Chicago and Philadelphia one point back. The Bears host the Phantoms on Sunday evening, while the Wolves entertain Houston.

Rochester (9th) and Cincinnati (10th) are locked into the final two spots in the conference, and will each hit the road for a best-of-three qualifying series.

Thanks to the Wolf Pack's 2-1 overtime win on Saturday, the East Division title comes down to a one-game showdown between in-state rivals Bridgeport (96 pts.) and Hartford (95 pts.), at the Arena at Harbor Yard on Sunday afternoon. The Pack need to win in regulation to claim the division title and the first seed in the conference; anything less, and the Sound Tigers will be #1. Whichever of these two teams does not finish first will earn the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Lowell, the North Division champs, will be the second seed in the East. Manchester will be fifth, and visit either Bridgeport or Hartford in a conference quarterfinal. Worcester, currently ninth, would jump up a spot and host an 8-vs-9 qualifier with a win over Portland combined with a Manitoba loss to Grand Rapids.

The Canadian Division title is up for grabs, and Manitoba controls its destiny. A victory over Grand Rapids on Sunday night gives the Moose the crown and the third seed in the conference. If Manitoba ties or loses in overtime, Quebec gets the 3-seed and the Moose fall to sixth. A regulation loss sends the Moose all the way to eighth -- ninth if the IceCats defeat Portland also.

Hamilton is currently sixth and St. John's is seventh, and both teams are off on Sunday. A Moose win, tie or overtime loss drops the Bulldogs to seventh and the Maple Leafs to eighth; a Manitoba loss in regulation and they stay 6 and 7.

Providence will be the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, and visit either Hamilton or St. John's in a best-of-three qualifying series.

The race for the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy and home-ice advantage through the Calder Cup 2002 Playoffs is down to three teams, with Bridgeport, Hartford and Syracuse all vying for first place in the AHL's overall standings.

Check out cybercasts of all of Sunday's key games at theahl.com, and visit caldercup.com for the latest standings and seedings.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2002


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