by Amy Johnson, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report
ST. JOHN’s, NL — Every Tuesday, IceCaps Hockey Report’s lead contributor, Amy Johnson, reviews the most recent action involving prospects of the Montreal Canadiens and what to expect from the St. John’s IceCaps in the week ahead.
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| Sunday April 10, 2016 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL |
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ICECAPS |
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7-1 |
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COMETS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Scherbak [one_half_last]Hanley – Dietz Goaltenders: Pasquale Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Mac Bennett, John Scott, Travis Brown, Cory Ward, Simon Bourque, Ben Scrivens, Brandon McNally, Angelo Miceli, Alexandre Ranger, Eddie Pasquale, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportIt wasn’t a fluke. Last night’s OT win wasn’t just a flash in the pan for the IceCaps, as they took to their home ice this afternoon with another energetic and determined 60 minutes of play. Jacob de la Rose stood out yet again, potting the first goal just over a minute into the game. He was soon followed by Morgan Ellis scoring his 16th of the season, with an assist by Bud Holloway. Next it was Mike McCarron’s turn, handling a pass right out of the penalty box and skating it in for a backhander into the net. He was assisted by Holloway, who set a new single-season points record for the franchise with 60 points, and Tom Parisi who earned his first pro point. The second period brought more of the onslaught. Tim Bozon wristed one past the goaltender right off the bat, and then Nikita Scherbak found mesh after a series of clean passes from McCarron and Charles Hudon. The Comets managed to get on the board, but the IceCaps and Eddie Pasquale kept them out of the net for the rest of the period – despite Utica coming at the net hard and peppering Pasquale with shot attempts. In the third period, the ice continued to tilt in favor of the IceCaps as Hudon potted two goals of his own. The second one came after McCarron dropped the gloves with Joseph LaBate and earned himself his first AHL Gordie Howe hat trick.  The St. John’s team seemed to get a bit undisciplined late in the third, giving up a series of penalties that allowed plenty of man-advantage time for the Comets, but Pasquale kept the Utica skaters at bay for an outstanding finish to the weekend. The IceCaps close out their season by hosting the Hartford Wolfpack on Friday and Saturday nights at Mile One Centre. ▲ Jacob de la Rose, Michael McCarron, Morgan Ellis, Bud Holloway, Tom Parisi, Nikita Scherbak, Charles Hudon ▼ |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | COMETS | |
| 39 | Shots | 31 |
| 0 for 4 | Power Play | 0 for 6 |
| 21 | Penalty Minutes | 17 |
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
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Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/719264094612664320
https://twitter.com/CometsInGame/status/719241080034746368
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| Saturday April 9, 2016 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL |
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ICECAPS |
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3-2 |
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COMETS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Scherbak [one_half_last]Parisi – Didier Goaltenders: Fucale Scratches: Ben Scrivens, Brandon McNally, Angelo Miceli, Alexandre Ranger, Eddie Pasquale, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportHere was the night the IceCaps and their fans had been waiting for. A strong team win, despite knowing that the playoffs are now out of reach. Jeremy Gregoire was the first one to get on the scoreboard against the Utica Comets, assisted by Jeremiah Addison who notched his first pro point with the helper. Addison made his debut in this game in addition to Daniel Audette and Simon Bourque. Bourque would also get his first pro point on an assist to Jacob de la Rose’s power play goal in the third period, which would put the IceCaps ahead of the Comets 2-1. Utica peppered netminder Zach Fucale all night long, outshooting St. John’s 49-27 when all was said and done. Fucale looked strong and focused in net. After Taylor Fedun scored the equalizer late in the third, earning his team a spot in the AHL playoffs, it was time for an extra period. Morgan Ellis came up big for the IceCaps with a rocket one-timer from the top of the circle to give them a much-needed win. The IceCaps finish out their season series against Utica tomorrow with a matinee game at Mile One Centre. ▲ Zach Fucale, Jacob de la Rose, Jeremiah Addison, Jeremy Gregoire, Max Friberg, Morgan Ellis ▼ |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | COMETS | |
| 27 | Shots | 49 |
| 1 for 5 | Power Play | 1 for 5 |
| 12 | Penalty Minutes | 12 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
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Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/718952098868518912
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by Amy Johnson, Video Editor/Producer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
SYRACUSE, NY. — The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps are currently on a six-game road trip through upstate New York and Toronto. The IceCaps had an exciting overtime win in Utica before dropping two games in Syracuse. You can read full reports for each game here.
The IceCaps Hockey Report | All Habs Hockey Magazine team was onsite in Utica and Syracuse to take in the action against the Comets and the Crunch.
Following the game against the Crunch, IceCaps defenseman Josiah Didier kindly spent a few minutes with our video producer, Amy Johnson.
The interview is below.
| Friday March 18, 2016 Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY |
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ICECAPS |
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2-1 |
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COMETS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – Scherbak – Holloway [one_half_last]Hanley – Johnston Goaltenders: Fucale Scratches: Shane Bakker, Travis Brown, Mac Bennett, Michael Bournival (concussion), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportIn the first game of the final road trip of their regular season, the IceCaps took the ice in Utica for an energetic matchup against the Comets. Both teams are jockeying for a playoff position, giving the atmosphere a bit more intensity. Jeremy Gregoire got things started the right way with a quick goal after a few minutes into the first frame. He was assisted by Mark MacMillan and Brandon McNally. Many close calls at both ends, but Zach Fucale and Joe Cannata were on top of things in their respective creases. The second period started off with some tense scrums after the whistles, but soon settled down into a fast-paced rhythm. Penalties started to rack up on both sides of the ice, as did hits. The IceCaps sustained a good amount of offensive pressure, but couldn’t get the puck through Cannata. The third period was all Comets. Midway through the frame, Carter Bancks walked off the side boards and snapped it past Zach Fucale. With the score tied, Utica did not let up. With six minutes left in the third, the Comets were outshooting the IceCaps 14-1. Fucale played a strong positional game and limited rebounds. He also had help in front of him with some excellent shot-blocking particularly by Max Friberg. In the overtime period, it was time for Friberg to show off his offensive skills. Taking a pass from Morgan Ellis, Friberg came down the right side and snapped a rocket past Comets goalie Joe Cannata to give the IceCaps the win. ▲ Morgan Ellis, Max Friberg, Andrew Yogan, Zach Fucale, Jeremy Gregoire, Brett Lernout, Josiah Didier ▼ Alexander Ranger, Ryan Johnston, Tim Bozon, Christopher Joyaux |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | COMETS | |
| 21 | Shots | 31 |
| 0 for 3 | Power Play | 0 for 4 |
| 10 | Penalty Minutes | 8 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
| Post-game interview with Sylvain Lefebvre
Post-game interview with Max Friberg
Audio from interviews conducted by Amy Johnson for IceCaps Hockey Report | Rocket Sports Media. Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/IceCapsReport/status/710988437726355456
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
| Friday February 26, 2016 Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY |
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1-4 |
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COMETS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Holloway [one_half_last]Ellis – Dietz Goaltenders: Fucale Scratches: Alexandre Ranger, Shane Bakker, Travis Brown, Dalton Thrower, Michael Bournival (concussion), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportIt’s a story IceCaps fans are quite familiar with at this point: St. John’s gives up a goal early in the first period, then another. They take too many penalties, the power play can’t convert, and they finally turn on the jets in the third period when it’s too late to make a comeback. And it’s a story we have to tell again after tonight’s game. It only took two and a half minutes for the opposition to score on the IceCaps this time. Soon after, John Scott got into his first full fight as an IceCap and things went downhill from there. Mark MacMillan got called for a high-sticking double minor at the end of the first period, giving the Comets about three minutes of power play time to open the second period. Former Montreal Canadiens forward Brandon Prust earned two points on the evening for two consecutive assists. Jeremy Gregoire also dropped the gloves, as did Charles Hudon – with Malcolm Subban. A few minutes into the third period, Bud Holloway found the back of the net on the power play. Nikita Scherbak and Morgan Ellis assisted on the goal. The IceCaps scrambled and pressured the Comets throughout the rest of the third but goaltender Richard Bachman stood tall and didn’t allow any more pucks to get through. Captain Gabriel Dumont returned to the IceCaps lineup for this game. Mac Bennett was recalled from the Brampton Beast before the game, while Ellis and Michael McCarron were called up to the Montreal Canadiens immediately following the game. The Icecaps finish up their road trip with a rematch in Syracuse with the Crunch Saturday night. ▲ Morgan Ellis, Michael McCarron, Max Friberg, Bud Holloway ▼ Angelo Miceli, John Scott, Zach Fucale |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | COMETS | |
| 29 | Shots | 29 |
| 1 for 4 | Power Play | 0 for 4 |
| 27 | Penalty Minutes | 25 |
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
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Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
| https://twitter.com/IceCapsReport/status/703422482984742912https://twitter.com/IceCapsReport/status/703420640406032384
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/703404574263144448
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| Saturday February 6, 2016 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL |
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ICECAPS |
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2-3 |
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COMETS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – Scherbak – Holloway [one_half_last]Bartley – Ellis Goaltenders: Pasquale Scratches: John Scott, Jeremy Gregoire, Josiah Didier, Dalton Thrower, Mac Bennett, Michael Bournival, Brendan McNally, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportA very different-looking IceCaps team took the ice in St. John’s on Saturday night. Different not only because Michael McCarron was moved to right wing, Jacob de la Rose to the left wing, and Nikita Scherbak still at center, but also because the team came out with a surge of energy and intensity not recently seen. McCarron was obviously simmering as he took a boarding penalty just over 30 seconds into the game. Newcomer Shane Bakker then dropped the gloves and put a definitive stamp on his debut with the club. De la Rose had something to prove as well, and scored the opening goal assisted by Gabriel Dumont and McCarron. Less than a minute before the end of the period, the Comets tied things up on a power play. The second period was played very tightly, with no goals added to the scoreboard, but plenty of penalties on both sides. That carried over into the third period until Dumont potted a goal of his own, allowing the IceCaps to regain their one-goal lead. Through a series of penalties, the home team struggled to maintain control of the game but the Comets managed to tie things up once again as the final minutes of the game wound down. It took just five seconds in overtime for Brendan Gaunce to seal the win for Utica. The IceCaps return to the ice Tuesday night to take on the Syracuse Crunch when they visit St. John’s. ▲ Eddie Pasquale, Jacob de la Rose, Gabriel Dumont ▼ Victor Bartley |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | COMETS | |
| 34 | Shots | 29 |
| 0 for 4 | Power Play | 1 for 6 |
| 19 | Penalty Minutes | 15 |
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
| Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
Quotes and audio courtesy of Rocket Sports Media |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/696107566372290560
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
| Friday February 5, 2016 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL |
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ICECAPS |
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2-5 |
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COMETS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – Scherbak – Holloway [one_half_last]Bartley – Ellis Goaltenders: Fucale Scratches: John Scott, Shane Bakker, Jeremy Gregoire, Josiah Didier, Dalton Thrower, Mac Bennett, Michael Bournival, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportAfter enjoying some time off for the AHL All-Star break, the IceCaps found themselves back on home ice Friday night ready to get back to hockey and finding their way into the win column. The Utica Comets came to town, however, looking to upset those plans. Despite General Manager Marc Bergevin being on hand to watch his farm team, the IceCaps fell flat right out of the gate. Within the first five minutes of the game, Zach Fucale allowed three goals on just four shots. Two of them were exceptionally soft, and the third was a defensive breakdown leaving Hunter Shinkaruk all alone in front of the net. That earned Fucale a spot on the bench as Eddie Pasquale came in to relieve him. Bud Holloway gave the home team some hope late in the period when he potted a power play goal, with assists from Charles Hudon and Morgan Ellis. The good feelings didn’t last long, however, when Carter Bancks scored to give the Comets their three-goal lead back. Utica continued its offensive assault in the third period, and although Jacob de la Rose netted his third goal of the year late in the period, the final score once again reflected a comeback mountain too steep to climb. Victor Bartley returned to the lineup tonight after suffering an injury in his first game with St. John’s a couple of weeks ago. In addition, Alexandre Ranger debuted for the IceCaps tonight after being signed to a PTO by the team this week. The IceCaps return to the ice Saturday night for a rematch with the Utica Comets. ▲ Eddie Pasquale, Bud Holloway, Morgan Ellis ▼ Gabriel Dumont, Zach Fucale |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | COMETS | |
| 42 | Shots | 32 |
| 2 for 9 | Power Play | 0 for 4 |
| 23 | Penalty Minutes | 13 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
| Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
Quotes and audio courtesy of Rocket Sports Media |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/AndyMcInnes/status/695757000550936576
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
| Saturday January 2, 2016 Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY |
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ICECAPS |
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3-1 |
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COMETS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Lessio – Hudon – Holloway [one_half_last]Ellis – Dietz Goaltenders: Tokarski Scratches: Eric Neilson, Michael McCarron (throat), Tim Bozon (undisclosed), Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed) Game ReportIt was a must-win night for Sylvain Lefebvre’s IceCaps. After dropping the last two games to teams near the bottom of the standings, St. John’s needed to get back to winning ways before heading home – and they did it with style. Lucas Lessio opened the scoring just 1:32 into the game with an unassisted goal. Just about three minutes later, Jeremy Gregoire received a perfectly placed pass from Markus Eisenschmid to out the IceCaps up 2-0. The Comets thought they had gotten one of those goals ba k, but the officials ruled it a no-goal due to being hit with a high stick. They did, however, finally get on the board halfway through the first period.  Josiah Didier took quite a beating in this game, seemingly skating with a target on his back. He was the recipient of quite a few hard hits, with two of them nasty enough to warrant Stefan Fournier and Mac Bennett dropping their gloves in Didier’s defense. Dustin Tokarski looked sharp in net, allowing only one goal on 27 shots. The second period was relatively evenly played, but Brandon McNally added to the IceCaps tally early in the third with his first goal of the season. It was a decisive win for a team looking to continue the momentum on their next home stand. The IceCaps return to St. John’s and will prepare to host the Portland Pirates on Friday. ▲ Josiah Didier, Markus Eisenschmid, Dustin Tokarski, Morgan Ellis ▼ Lucas Lessio, Charles Hudon |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | COMETS | |
| 15 | Shots | 27 |
| 0 for 2 | Power Play | 0 for 3 |
| 18 | Penalty Minutes | 16 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
Comets coach Travis Green (speaking to the Utica Observer-Dispatch)
Post-game interview with Sylvain Lefebvre Post-game interview with Morgan Ellis Audio from interviews conducted by Amy Johnson for IceCaps Hockey Report | Rocket Sports Media. Quotes and audio courtesy of Rocket Sports Media |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
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IceCaps join new division with arch-rival Toronto
Ottawa, Vancouver affiliates among teams in North Division
St. John’s IceCaps Media Release
ST. JOHN’S, NL. – The St. John’s IceCaps – proud new American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – will move to a newly-formed division next season which includes natural rival, the Toronto Marlies.
As part of league realignment announced by the AHL today in Chicago, the IceCaps will now play in the North Division of the Eastern Conference alongside the Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs), Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators), Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks), Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres), Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils).
In their previous four seasons, the IceCaps competed in the Atlantic Division with the Portland Pirates, Worcester Sharks, Providence Bruins and Manchester Monarchs.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this new AHL division,” said IceCaps COO and Governor Glenn Stanford. “The IceCaps rivalries with the Marlies and Senators will become some of the most heated in the league, as they currently are with the respective parent clubs. And I’m sure rivalries with our other new division-mates will develop once the season gets underway. St. John’s fans will also get their first-ever glimpse of teams like Rochester and Utica next season. Overall, a great day to be an IceCaps fan.”
IceCaps Season tickets can be purchased in person at the Mile One Centre box office (noon-5 p.m.), by phone at 709-576-7657 (9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.), or online at www.mileonecentre.com
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)
Hershey Bears (WSH)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)
Portland Pirates (FLA)
Providence Bruins (BOS)
Springfield Falcons (ARI)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)
North Division
Albany Devils (NJ)
Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Rochester Americans (BUF)
St. John’s IceCaps (MTL)
Syracuse Crunch (TB)
Toronto Marlies (TOR)
Utica Comets (VAN)
Western Conference
Central Division
Charlotte Checkers (CAR)
Chicago Wolves (STL)
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Iowa Wild (MIN)
Lake Erie Monsters (CBJ)
Manitoba Moose (WPG)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI)
Pacific Division
Bakersfield Condors (EDM)
Ontario Reign (LA)
San Antonio Rampage (COL)
San Diego Gulls (ANA)
San Jose Barracuda (SJ)
Stockton Heat (CGY)
Texas Stars (DAL)
The format for the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs will be finalized by the Board of Governors at its Annual Meeting in Hilton Head Island, S.C., July 6-9, and the complete playing schedule for the 2015-16 regular season, which begins Oct. 9, will be announced later this summer.
