The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins finished second in their division this season, which might not sound like a big deal but is a huge deal in the AHL playoff format that grants the top-two teams in the Atlantic Division a pass into the second round of the playoffs. That means a lot considering the first round is only a best-of-three, a format that sunk WBS’s season last year when they finished in fourth place and were quickly eliminated from the playoffs.
Such a result struck again, third place Charlotte (who had a great season to put up 93 points in 72 games) ended up getting bounced in Game 3 by sixth place Springfield. Due to the reseeding, Springfield now moves onto play first place Providence. That left Wilkes to take on the Hershey Bears, who won their first round matchup against Bridgeport.
The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals and have some quality players. One of them, Ilya Protas, played against Pittsburgh in the final week of the NHL regular season. The 19-year old has two points in two playoff games and won AHL rookie of the year for his 66 points in 69 game. Hershey also boasts veteran goalie Clay Stevenson, who stopped 40/42 shots in the quick sweep of Bridgeport.
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The Penguins did carry a 7-3 record against the Bears this season and will be hoping that carries over into their first matchup. The winner of that series will move on to face the winner from mighty Providence or the upset-minded Springfield team in the next round of the playoffs.
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