Full House, Full Bracket – AHL's Big Finish
APRIL 21, 2025 – The American Hockey League is heading into the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs with momentum, milestones, and packed arenas across the map. A grand total of 6,817,815 fans turned out for AHL games this season, reflecting a rising tide of enthusiasm around the league and the future of professional hockey. This surge in support highlights a season full of high-scoring thrillers, breakout performances, and playoff implications that went down to the wire. As the postseason picture solidifies, 23 teams have earned their shot at the Calder Cup.
Here’s a look at the opening playoff matchups:
Atlantic Division
First Round (Best-of-3):
A3 Providence Bruins vs. A6 Springfield Thunderbirds
A4 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. A5 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Semifinals (Best-of-5):
A1 Hershey Bears vs. WBS/LV/SPR
A2 Charlotte Checkers vs. PRO/WBS/LV
North Division
First Round (Best-of-3):
N4 Toronto Marlies vs. N5 Cleveland Monsters
Semifinals (Best-of-5):
N1 Laval Rocket vs. TOR-CLE winner
N2 Rochester Americans vs. N3 Syracuse Crunch
Central Division
First Round (Best-of-3):
C4 Chicago Wolves vs. C5 Rockford IceHogs
Semifinals (Best-of-5):
C1 Milwaukee Admirals vs. CHI-RFD winner
C2 Texas Stars vs. C3 Grand Rapids Griffins
Pacific Division
First Round (Best-of-3):
P2 Abbotsford Canucks vs. P7 Tucson Roadrunners
P3 Ontario Reign vs. P6 San Jose Barracuda
Semifinals (Best-of-5):
P1 Colorado Eagles vs. CV/CGY/SJ/TUC
ABB/ONT/CV/CGY vs. ONT/CV/CGY/SJ
The road to the Calder Cup begins with best-of-three opening rounds, moving into best-of-five division semifinals and finals, before ramping up to best-of-seven conference and league finals. It’s playoff hockey, AHL-style — where dreams take shape, rivalries ignite, and legends are born.
