Well, it’s official. The 72nd season of the American Hockey League is now complete. The second season begins this week. 16 teams are vying for the Calder Cup as the best team in the AHL but only one team can say they ended their season with a win. Who are those teams you may ask?
Well…
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Chicago Wolves (1) vs. Milwaukee Admirals (4)
The Wolves ended their season with 53 wins and gained the top seed in the AHL’s Western Conference. They did not actually find out who their opponent was going to be in the Western Division semi-finals until 8:45 P.M. Central time Sunday, April 13. This was because there were three teams that could have faced the Wolves from Milwaukee, to the Houston Aeros to the San Antonio Rampage.
“It’s good to know that we can score goals on this team when we need to,” Wolves rookie goaltender Ondrej Pavelec said. “It was a very great relief that we won the Western Conference. It was not going to make a difference who we played in the first round because all the teams in our division are good.”
The Wolves can lean on such players as AHL MVP Jason Krog, Brett Sterling to put the puck in the net on any given night. The “X-factor” for the Wolves in the playoffs could be Darren Haydar. He spent a large amount of time not being with the Wolves due to being called up to the NHL and was the AHL MVP last season.
The Admirals were 3-6-0-1 against the Wolves during the regular season but do sport goaltender Pekka Rinne who garnered 36 wins this season and has a save percentage of .908. The Admirals will rely on Cal O’Reilly (16-63-70 pts.) and Antti Philstrom (27-18- 45 pts.) for the offense.
PREDICTION: The Wolves did not get 111 regular season points just by standing on their heads for the first few months of the season. Chicago in Five .
Rockford Ice Hogs (2) vs. Houston Aeros (3)
This series, which will feature players NHL fans will season next season, is truly a toss up. Both teams have beaten each other this season but the amount of travel involved for both teams could very well make this series go six games easy.
Houston will rely on goaltender Nolan Schaefer (19-13 2.06 GAA) to keep them in the series and look at Joel Ward (21-20- 41 pts.) to spark the offense.
Rockford will have the edge in goaltending as Corey Crawford (29-19 2.89 GAA) spent a significant amount of time with the Chicago Blackhawks this past NHL season and will challenge for a spot on the parent club next season. The Ice Hogs will get their offense from people like rookie Jack Skille (16-18 34 pts.) and Martin St. Pierre (21-67 88 pts.). Rockford will need their blue lines to step up in the playoffs if they expect to make any nose.
PREDICTION: Rockford in Seven.
North Division
Toronto Marlies (1) vs. San Antonio Rampage (5)
The Marlies have the potential to be this years Hamilton Bulldogs (last seasons Calder Cup champs). They have way too much offense with the likes of David Ling (17-42 59 pts.), John Mitchell (20-31 51 pts.) just to name a few. The Marlies have six players who scored at least 40 points or more this season.
Toronto should be just fine in net with Justin Pogge (26-10 2.34 GAA) in net. However, do not be surprised to see Scott Clemmensen (23-14 2.44 GAA) make an appearance or two along the way.
The Rampage could use a young Wayne Gretzky in this series if they want a chance to succeed in the playoffs. A decent playoff seeding was within reach until their decided they were not interested in winning their last regular season game against the Quad City Flames.
PREDICTION: Toronto in Five.
Other series to watch:
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
Philadelphia Phantoms (2) vs. (4) Albany River Rats
The scheduling for this series is anything but normal, Philadelphia travels to Albany for game one, then hosts the next two, then back to Albany for two then back to Philly for the last two. The Wachovia Center in Philadelphia should be busy with the Phantoms and the Flyers both involved in post season play. It’s a good time to be a Zamboni driver there.
Albany will get good goaltending from ex-Chicago Blackhawk goaltender Michael Leighton (28-25 2.10 GAA) but will have to stay out of the penalty box if they expect to have a chance against Philly. Look for Jamie Johnson (21-37 58 pts.) and Brandon Nolan (22-26 48 pts.) to be expected to carry the Rats to the next round.
PREDICTION:
Every first round should have an upset. So, why not this match-up. Albany in Five.
East Division semi-final
Wilkes Barre/Scranton (1) vs. (4) Hershey Bears
Both teams have beaten each other and Hershey was in the Calder Cup finals last year. However, Hershey expended a lot of energy just to get into the playoffs this year (not qualifying until the second to the last day of the regular season).
PREDICTION:
Pens in five. | 
