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 is leading the AHL in scoring with nine goals and eight assists in ten games. Rookie Alex Goligoski has picked up his game in the postseason to post 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; after an 8-4 loss in Game 4 in Philadelphia that put them down 3-1 in the series, they 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, the Providence Bruins. After losing the first two games of the series, it appeared that the Bruins were on their way to sweeping the Pirates. 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, four goals and two assists, to lead the Pirates in scoring during the series. After finishing the regular season with the most points in the AHL, the Providence Bruins went 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 now face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Eastern Conference finals.

Toronto Marlies vs. Syracuse Crunch

Marlies win series 4-3

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: Marlies 3, Crunch 2

Series Summary: The Toronto Marlies completed the incredible comeback Monday night when they won their third straight game to defeat the Syracuse Crunch in seven games. The Marlies got plenty of offense in this series, but their defense was sketchy at times in three of the first four games. Toronto scored six power play goals during the season, but their penalty killing was just awful. The Marlies allowed ten power play goals on 39 Syracuse opportunities. Scott Clemmensen didn’t play his best hockey, but did play well enough when he had to. Syracuse was poised to win the series, but the offense let them down in the final three games, which allowed Toronto to escape and move on to the Western Conference finals.

Chicago Wolves vs. Rockford IceHogs

Wolves win series 4-3

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: Wolves 4, IceHogs 1

Series Summary: The Chicago Wolves needed to win back-to-back games if they hoped to advances to the Western Conference finals, and that's exactly what they did. Chicago won Games 6 and 7 to secure their spot in the conference finals. The Wolves appeared to be cruising on their way to a convincing series win after the first two games, but the IceHogs battled back to win three straight before Chicago won the final two. Chicago’s Jason Krog was amazing in this series as he racked up 11 points.

Top Five Playoff Points Leaders

Tim Brent, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 17 points
Jason Krog, Chicago Wolves – 17 points
Derek MacKenzie, Syracuse Crunch - 14 points
Alex Goligoski, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 14 points
Martin St. Pierre, Rockford IceHogs – 14 points

Top Five Winning Goaltenders

Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Portland Pirates - 8
John Curry, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 8
Scott Clemmensen, Toronto Marlies - 8
Ondrej Pavelec, Chicago Wolves - 8
Corey Crawford, Rockford IceHogs - 7