The American Hockey League's 90th regular season concludes today, April 20, with six games determining the final Calder Cup Playoff spots. In the North Division, the Utica Comets have surged into contention for the last playoff berth after a late-season run, putting pressure on the Rochester Americans. Several other seeding battles remain undecided across divisions.
The regular season, which started on October 10, reaches Day 192 with high stakes. The Utica Comets, who were 18 points out of a playoff spot at the All-Star break, closed their schedule with an 8-1-1-1 record over their final 11 games, including a 4-2 victory over Providence last night. This tied them with the Rochester Americans, who lost 8-0 to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and now face a four-game skid. Rochester needs just one point from its game against Hershey tonight to advance; a regulation loss sends Utica to the postseason, according to TheAHL.com standings update ahead of the finale. Cleveland Monsters hold a one-point edge over Toronto Marlies for third place and a division semifinal bye. Cleveland can clinch with a win against Grand Rapids, a Toronto regulation loss to Laval, or both earning a point, though Toronto holds the tiebreaker. Laval Rocket secured the North Division title for the second straight year, with Syracuse Crunch in second. In the Atlantic Division, Providence Bruins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins earned byes as top seeds, while Charlotte Checkers and Bridgeport Islanders take higher first-round seeding. Springfield Thunderbirds lead Hershey Bears by one point for fifth; a Bears win over Rochester clinches that spot for them. Central Division seeds are set, with Grand Rapids Griffins as champions, Chicago Wolves second, Texas Stars third after a 5-1 win over Rockford, and Manitoba Moose hosting Milwaukee Admirals in the first round. Pacific Division sees Ontario Reign as champions with a bye, and matchups locked: Colorado Eagles vs. San Diego Gulls, Henderson Silver Knights vs. San Jose Barracuda, and Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. Bakersfield Condors. Playoff schedules will follow today's games, starting with best-of-three first-round series.
