The 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs have moved into the division finals and each team is looking to advance to the conference finals. Each series features teams that have the ability to win at anytime. Here's an update from around the American Hockey League.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Philadelphia Phantoms

Penguins win series 4-1

Game 1: Phantoms 5, Penguins 2
Game 2: Penguins 5, Phantoms 4 (OT)
Game 3: Penguins 3, Phantoms 2
Game 4: Penguins 8, Phantoms 4
Game 5: Penguins 3, Phantoms 1

Series Summary: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins used a lot of offense to defeat the Philadelphia Phantoms in five games. The Penguins scored 19 goals and now lead the AHL in goals scored during the playoffs with 43. The Phantoms won Game 1, but the Penguins won four straight games to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Tim Brent leads the AHL in scoring with nine goals and eight assists in ten games. Rookie Alex Goligoski has picked up his game in the postseason with 14 points in ten games. John Curry appeared shaky at times in the series, but was able to get the job done in net. Unlike their first series, the Penguins didn’t score a lot of power play goals; they managed just five in this series. The Phantoms didn’t go down without a fight, but after an 8-4 loss in Game 4 in Philadelphia that put the Phantoms down 3-1 in the series, the Phantoms looked like a team that was ready for the off-season. Stefan Ruzicka led the Phantoms in scoring during the series with three goals and six assists for nine points. The Penguins now face the Portland Pirates in the Eastern Conference finals.

Providence Bruins vs. Portland Pirates

Pirates win series 4-2

Game 1: Bruins 4, Pirates 0
Game 2: Bruins 7, Pirates 1
Game 3: Pirates 4, Bruins 3 (OT)
Game 4: Pirates 3, Bruins 2 (OT)
Game 5: Pirates 3, Bruins 2
Game 6: Pirates 5, Bruins 4

Series Summary: The Portland Pirates advanced to the Eastern Conference finals with a pretty convincing series win over the AHL’s regular season best team, Providence Bruins. After losing the first two games of the series, it appeared that the Bruins were on their way, but Portland rallied off four straight wins and clinched the series on the road. After a 7-1 loss in Game 2, J.S. Aubin had to step up his game and he did that. Bobby Ryan recorded seven points in Portland’s four wins to lead the Pirates in scoring during the series. After finishing the regular season with the most points in the AHL, the Providence Bruins sailed through their first six games with six wins. They were able to keep the final four games close, but were unable to convert when needed. The Pirates face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins next in the Eastern Conference finals.

Toronto Marlies vs. Syracuse Crunch

Series tied 3-3

Game 1: Crunch 5, Marlies 1
Game 2: Crunch 3, Marlies 1
Game 3: Marlies 8, Crunch 2
Game 4: Crunch 5, Marlies 4 (OT)
Game 5: Marlies 4, Crunch 3
Game 6: Marlies 3, Crunch 2
Game 7: Crunch @ Marlies, Monday 7:30 pm

Game 6 Summary: The Toronto Marlies once again staved off elimination with a crucial 3-2 road win Saturday night. Toronto trailed 1-0 for 43 minutes before they rallied for three straight goals in less than eight minutes in the third. Syracuse tried to come back late with a third period goal, but Toronto was able to shut the door and preserve the 3-2 victory. David Ling had two points for Toronto and Duvie Westcott had two points for Syracuse. The series now goes to a seventh game to decide the winner and that game will be played Monday night in Toronto.

Chicago Wolves vs. Rockford IceHogs

Series tied 3-3

Game 1: Wolves 4, IceHogs 1
Game 2: Wolves 7, IceHogs 3
Game 3: IceHogs 3, Wolves 1
Game 4: IceHogs 3, Wolves 2
Game 5: IceHogs 5, Wolves 1
Game 6: Wolves 4, IceHogs 3
Game 7: IceHogs @ Wolves, Tuesday 8 pm

Game 6 Summary: The Chicago Wolves needed to win Sunday night, otherwise their season was over. Chicago rallied from one goal down in the second period with four straight power play goals for a 4-3 win in Game 6. All of Chicago’s goals came on the power play, while two of Rockford’s goals came with the man advantage. Joel Kwiatkowski and Jason Krog recorded three points apiece for Chicago. Petri Kontiola recorded three points for Rockford. Game 7 is Tuesday night and both teams need to find a way to limit the amount of power play opportunities they give up.

Top Five Playoff Points Leaders

Tim Brent, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 17 points
Jason Krog, Chicago Wolves - 16
Alex Goligoski, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 14 points
Martin St. Pierre, Rockford IceHogs - 14
Stefan Ruzicka, Philadelphia Phantoms - 13 points

Top Five Winning Goaltenders

Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Portland Pirates - 8
John Curry, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 8
Corey Crawford, Rockford IceHogs - 7
Karl Goehring, Syracuse Crunch - 7
Ondrej Pavelec, Chicago Wolves - 7