By Zane Miller

I take a look at my AHL playoff predictions from the first round to the Calder Cup Finals.

First round

Providence Bruins v. Charlotte Checkers

The Checkers take the first two games of the series, however the Bruins were able to fight back in game three. Game four sees Charlotte finish off the series with a win to move on to the next round.

Hershey Bears v. Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Hershey starts out the series strong with a win in game one as the Sound Tigers take game two, but Hershey bursts back out in front with a game three win. Bridgeport gets the win in game four, and completes the comeback with a win in game five.

Cleveland Monsters v. Syracuse Crunch

In a rematch of sorts between the minor league affiliates of the Blue Jackets and Lightning respectively, the two teams traded the games back and forth with the Monsters taking games one and three and the Crunch claiming games two and four. However, it was Cleveland that grabbed game five to advance in the playoffs.

Toronto Marlies v. Rochester Americans

The Americans took the first two games of the series, however the Marlies were able to respond by taking the next two games of the series to tie it back up. Rochester claimed the win in game five to squash Toronto’s chances at a repeat championship.

Grand Rapids Griffins v. Chicago Wolves

The Wolves take a three-game sweep over the Griffins, the only sweep of the first round.

Iowa Wild v. Manitoba Moose

The Moose grabbed games one and two, while the Wild were able to hang on with a victory in game three. Manitoba closed out the series with a win in game four, moving on into the second round.

Colorado Eagles v. Bakersfield Condors

In another back-and-forth series, the Eagles grab games one and three while the Condors claimed game two, however the Condors came back with wins in games four and five to make their way to the next round.

San Diego Gulls v. San Jose Barracuda

The Barracuda won in games one and two to take the lead, but the Gulls staved off elimination with a game three win. San Jose finished off the series and the first round with a win in game four.

Second round

Bridgeport Sound Tigers v. Charlotte Checkers

As the series go from best-of-five to best-of-seven, the Sound Tigers took game one while the Checkers took game two. However, Bridgeport won the next two games to go up in the series, but Charlotte fought all the way back with three straight wins to claim the series.

Cleveland Monsters v. Rochester Americans

The Monsters started off the second round promisingly with a game one win, but the Americans grabbed the next four, moving on to the conference finals.

Manitoba Moose v. Chicago Wolves

In yet another tight series, the Wolves claimed game one, while the Moose won games two and three. Game four belonged to Chicago, but Manitoba was able to restore the lead as they won in game five. Chicago tied up the series once again in game six, however Manitoba finished the deal in game seven to find their way into the conference finals.

San Jose Barracuda v. Bakersfield Condors

In another tight series, the Barracuda won in game one, but the Condors came right back in game two with a win. San Jose found their way back in front in game three, but Bakersfield turned the momentum around as they won games four and five. Facing elimination, San Jose won game six as well as game seven, getting into the conference finals.

Conference finals

Rochester Americans v. Charlotte Checkers

The Checkers grabbed the first game, but games two and three belonged to the Americans. Charlotte fought back with a win in game four to tie up the series, then reclaimed the lead in game five. Again evening up the series was Rochester in game six, however Charlotte finished the job in game seven to earn their way into the Calder Cup Finals.

Manitoba Moose v. San Jose Barracuda

Unlike its Eastern Conference counterpart, this series would be all Barracuda as San Jose won all four games to make their way into the Calder Cup Finals.

Calder Cup Finals

San Jose Barracuda v. Charlotte Checkers

This series would be a hard-fought one yet again, as the Checkers claimed the first game, but the Barracuda turned it around in game two. Charlotte retook the lead with a game three win, to which San Jose responded by grabbing games four and five. Charlotte was able to stay alive in game six, but the more well-rested San Jose team took the game seven win to earn their first championship in franchise history.

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NHL / american hockey league

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