Chirps from Center Ice

In real media, a “stringer” is usually a local correspondent who covers an event for another media outlet out of the area who could not either a) be at the event or b) not able to cover.

Chirps from Center Ice’s blogging pals “Chasing Checkers” put out a plea for help for Thursday’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Charlotte Checkers and the Binghamton Senators. Since I’m not ready to call it a summer just yet, I contacted them and offered my services and they accepted since they will actually be out of town on Thursday. I actually dropped this news over on the Twitter side this morning.

A few of you chirped in since Saturday night and asked if my allegiance will go behind Charlotte, Binghamton or someplace else.

My support is behind the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins. What’s that? Oh, yeah, that’s right, they lost. So in that case, may the best team win the Calder Cup this year. I have no rooting interest going forward. It will be nice to actually watch an AHL playoff game without the rooting interest and the roller coaster of emotions that comes with it.

So if you are interested, check out my piece Thursday night over at Chasing Checkers.

Soon, I will have a 2010-2011 season wrapup. I still find myself in shock over the chain of events which occurred, but life goes on.

Let’s Go Pens!

Yesterday we broke down the Western Conference Calder Cup Playoffs. Today, we examine the teams in the Eastern Conference and their chances of a Calder Cup Celebration in June.

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Binghamton Senators

Record: 42-30-3-5 92 pts., 5^th Place East Division (East’s Crossover team)

Power Play: 1^st // 22.8%

Penalty Kill: 7^th // 84.5%

Top 3 Scorers: Corey Locke (69 GP, 21-65-86, +13), Jim O’Brien (74 GP, 24-32-56, +17), Andre Benoit (73 GP, 11-44-55, +2)

Overview: Binghamton is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Got help from parent Ottawa on Sunday in the form of eight players. League’s best power play unit for a good chunk of the season too.

First Round Matchup: Manchester Monarchs

Record against the Monarchs: 1-1

Head to Head: January 15: MCH 4 @ BNG 3 – January 22: BNG 4 @ MCH 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 7:1

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Charlotte Checkers

Record: 44-27-2-7 97pts., 3^rd Place East Division

Power Play: 3^rd // 21%

Penalty Kill: 9^th // 83.5%

Top 3 Scorers: Zach Boychuk (60 GP, 22-43-65, +4), Chris Terry (80 GP, 34-30-64, -4), Jacob Micflikier (78 GP, 29-32-61, +15)

Overview: Last years Albany River Rats migrated to Charlotte and became the Checkers. Probably the deepest team line wise, all four legitimate scoring threats.

First Round Matchup: Hershey Bears

Record against the Bears: 4-3-0-1

Head to Head: November 7: HER 2 @ CHA 4 – November 9: HER 5 @ CHA 2 – November 28: CHA 5 @ HER 2 – December 10: HER 2 @ CHA 1 (SO) – December 12: HER 3 @ CHA 5 – December 19: CHA 3 @ HER 6 – January 29: CHA 0 @ HER 1 – February 20: CHA 5 @ HER 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 12:1

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Connecticut Whale

Record: 40-32-2-6 88 pts., 3^rd place Atlantic Division

Power Play: 11^th // 19.3%

Penalty Kill: 14^th // 82.4%

Top 3 Scorers: Kris Newbury (69 GP, 17-44-61, +4), Jeremy Williams (75 GP, 32-23-55, +2), Brodie Dupont (72 GP, 14-31-45, -5)

Overview: The Whale came from out of the basement of the Atlantic Division to start the year to division contenders. Also the highest penalized team in the AHL.

First Round Matchup: Portland Pirates

Record against the Pirates: 5-3

Head to Head: December 29: POR 1 @ CT 2 (OT) – December 31: CT 5 @ POR 4 (OT) – January 14: CT 0 @ POR 3 – January 29: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 5: CT 4 @ POR 3 – February 6: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 21: CT 2 @ POR 1 (OT) – April 3: POR 2 @ CT 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 13:1

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Hershey Bears

Record: 46-26-3-5 100 pts., 2^nd Place East Division

Power Play: 17^th // 18.1%

Penalty Kill: 10^th // 83.2%

Top 3 Scorers: Keith Aucoin (53 GP, 18-54-72, +13), Brian Willsie (76 GP, 30-38-68, +27), Kyle Greentree (74 GP, 30-33-63, +20)

Overview: The back to back Calder Cup Champs stayed on the WBS Penguins heels all season despite missing huge contributors to what got them Calder Cup banners ten and eleven.

First Round Matchup: Charlotte Checkers

Record against the Checkers: 4-4

Head to Head: November 7: HER 2 @ CHA 4 – November 9: HER 5 @ CHA 2 – November 28: CHA 5 @ HER 2 – December 10: HER 2 @ CHA 1 (SO) – December 12: HER 3 @ CHA 5 – December 19: CHA 3 @ HER 6 – January 29: CHA 0 @ HER 1 – February 20: CHA 5 @ HER 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 6:1

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Manchester Monarchs

Record: 44-26-4-6 98 pts., 2^nd place Atlantic Division

Power Play: 16^th // 18.5%

Penalty Kill: 4^th // 85.2%

Top 3 Scorers: Bud Holloway (78 GP, 28-33-61, +8), Justin Azevedo (79 GP, 18-35-53, +6), Dwight King (72 GP, 24-28-52, +12)

Overview: The Monarchs were locked in a battle with the Portland Pirates all season long for tops in the Atlantic. They return much of the core that lost to the Hershey Bears in the Conference Finals last year.

First Round Matchup: Binghamton Senators (East Division Crossover)

Record against the Senators: 1-1

Head to Head: January 15: MCH 4 @ BNG 3 – January 22: BNG 4 @ MCH 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 10:1

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Norfolk Admirals

Record: 39-26-9-6 93 pts., 4^th Place East Division

Power Play: 9^th // 19.3%

Penalty Kill: 18^th // 81.4%

Top 3 Scorers: Marc-Antoine Pouliot (69 GP, 25-47-72, +13), Blair Jones (56 GP, 24-31-55, +17), Johan Harju (63 GP, 23-30-53, +15)

Overview: Admirals are back in the playoffs after a long hiatus. Skidded into the playoffs having lost 7 of their last 10 games. Unlikely that goaltender Cedrick Desjardins will be available for the first round series.

First Round Matchup: Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Record against the Penguins: 3-3-0-2

Head to Head: Head to Head: November 19: NOR 4 @ WBS 1 – December 10: WBS 2 @ NOR 4 – December 11: NOR 7 @ WBS 4 – January 1: NOR 3 @ WBS 4 – February 18: WBS 3 @ NOR 0 – February 19: WBS 2 @ NOR 1 (SO) – February 26: NOR 2 @ WBS 3 (SO) – March 30: WBS 4 @ NOR 3

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 50:1

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Portland Pirates

Record: 47-27-7-2 103 pts., 1^st place Atlantic Division

Power Play: 13^th // 18.8%

Penalty Kill: 16^th // 82.3%

Top 3 Scorers: Mark Mancari* (56 GP, 32-32-64, +19), Luke Adam (57 GP, 29-33-62, +18), Marc-Andre Gragnani* (63 GP, 12-48-60, +22)

Overview: Portland clinched the Atlantic on the second to last day of the season. They boasted an impressive 25-8-6-1 record at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

First Round Matchup: Connecticut Whale

Record against the Whale: 3-2-3-0

Head to Head: December 29: POR 1 @ CT 2 (OT) – December 31: CT 5 @ POR 4 (OT) – January 14: CT 0 @ POR 3 – January 29: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 5: CT 4 @ POR 3 – February 6: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 21: CT 2 @ POR 1 (OT) – April 3: POR 2 @ CT 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 7:1

* – currently on recall to parent Buffalo Sabres

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Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Record: 58-21-0-1 117 pts., 1^st place East Division

Power Play: 19^th // 17.3%

Penalty Kill: 8^th // 83.6%

Top 3 Scorers: Brett Sterling (65 GP, 27-26-53, +13), Ryan Craig (71 GP, 19-29-53, +6), Dustin Jeffrey* (40 GP, 17-28-45, +13)

Overview: Pens loaded up with offseason signings and didn’t disappoint. Led East wire to wire and set all time record for wins in a season with 58 (good for second all time in the 75 year history of the AHL)

First Round Matchup: Norfolk Admirals:

Record against the Admirals: 5-3

Head to Head: November 19: NOR 4 @ WBS 1 – December 10: WBS 2 @ NOR 4 – December 11: NOR 7 @ WBS 4 – January 1: NOR 3 @ WBS 4 – February 18: WBS 3 @ NOR 0 – February 19: WBS 2 @ NOR 1 (SO) – February 26: NOR 2 @ WBS 3 (SO) – March 30: WBS 4 @ NOR 3

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 4:1

* – currently on recall to parent Pittsburgh Penguins and out for the season with a knee injury

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So there you have it. The Gameday Preview for tomorrow’s game vs. Norfolk will be up around 2 pm  Friday afternoon.

We start the Calder Cup Preview here at Chirps from Center Ice in the Western Conference. Tomorrow we break down the Eastern Conference.

A full schedule of dates and times of all games can be found here.

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Hamilton Bulldogs

Record: 44-27-2-7 97 pts., 1^st place North Division

Power Play: 14^th // 18.7%

Penalty Kill: 12^th // 83%

Top 3 Scorers: Nigel Dawes* (66 GP, 41-31-72, +15), Aaron Palushaj (68 GP, 22-35-57, +22), David Desharnais** (35 GP, 10-35-45, +14)

Overview: Despite losing David Desharnais, Max Pacioretty and Ben Maxwell to recall to parent Montreal, the Bulldogs still managed to win the North Division and home ice throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs.

First Round Matchup: Oklahoma City (West Division Crossover)

Record against the Barons: 1-0-1-0

Head to Head: October 24: OKC 3 @ HAM 2 (OT) — December 17: HAM 3 @ OKC 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 14:1

*- Dawes played 47 games for the Chicago Wolves and went 27-17-44 and +2

** – Desharnais not on active roster

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Houston Aeros

Record: 46-28-1-5 98 pts., 2^nd place West Division

Power Play: 6^th // 20.2%

Penalty Kill: 22^nd // 81%

Top 3 scorers: Jon DiSalvatore (80 GP, 28-33-61, -7), Robbie Earl (69 GP 24-31-55, +13), Maxim Noreau (76 GP, 10-44-54, -5)

Overview: First year head coach Mike Yeo has the Aeros back in the playoffs this year. Houston seemed to struggle with Division winner Milwaukee but other than that had good success this year.

First Round Matchup: Peoria Rivermen

Record against the Rivermen: 2-3-1-0

Head to Head: October 16: PEO 3 @ HOU 2 – October 22: PEO 1 @ HOU 0 (OT) – November 13: HOU 0 @ PEO 3 – November 14: HOU 5 @ PEO 2 – February 11 HOU 4 @ PEO 3 (SO) – PEO 3 @ HOU 1

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 12:1

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Lake Erie Monsters

Record: 44-28-3-5 96 pts., 2^nd place North Division

Power Play: 23^rd // 15.8%

Penalty Kill: 5^th // 84.9 %

Top 3 Scorers: Ben Walter (77 GP, 23-47-70, +26), Julian Talbot (77 GP, 13-32-45, +6), Matthew Ford (76 GP, 26-16-42, +1)

Overview: Lake Erie’s first Calder Cup Playoff appearance. The Monsters were backstopped by league veteran Jason Bacashihua who played 42 games for the Monsters and posted a 23-16-3 record with a 2.29 GAA and a 0.917 SV%

First Round Matchup: Manitoba Moose

Record against the Moose: 2-2

Head to Head: October 29: MTB 6 @ LE 3 – October 31: MTB 0 @ LE 2 – February 18: LE 5 @ MTB 1 – February 19: LE 2 @ MTB 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 16:1

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Manitoba Moose

Record: 43-30-1-6 93 pts., 3^rd place North Divison

Power Play: 26^th // 14.7%

Penalty Kill: 2^nd // 85.6%

Top 3 Scorers: Sergei Shirokov (76 GP, 22-36-58, +7), Bill Sweatt (80 GP, 19-27-46, -9), Mark Flood (63 GP, 11-29-40, Even)

Overview: The Moose made the playoffs but disappointed a few people in not taking the North Division or the Western Conference in whole. Rookie Goaltender Eddie Lack went 28-21-4 with a 2.26 GAA and a 0.926 SV%.

First Round Matchup: Lake Erie Monsters

Record against the Monsters: 2-2

Head to Head: October 29: MTB 6 @ LE 3 – October 31: MTB 0 @ LE 2 – February 18: LE 5 @ MTB 1 – February 19: LE 2 @ MTB 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 30:1

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Milwaukee Admirals

Record: 44-22-6-8 102 pts., 1^st place West Division

Power Play: 7^th // 19.7%

Penalty Kill: 25^th // 80.6%

Top 3 Scorers: Chris Mueller (67 GP, 24-26-50, +7), Linus Klasen (47 GP, 22-23-45, +6), Ryan Thang (78 GP, 14-27-41, +17)

Overview: Milwaukee won the West by 4 points over the Houston Aeros but it really wasn’t close all year as the Admirals won the season series versus the Aeros 4-0-1-1

First Round Matchup: Texas Stars

Record against the Stars: 1-3-1-1

Head to Head: November 20: MIL @ TEX 2 – November 26: MIL 1 @ TEX 0 – December 11: TEX 3 @ MIL 2 (OT) – January 22: MIL 1 @ TEX 2 (SO) – February 20: TEX 2 @ MIL 1 – April 8: TEX 3 @ MIL 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 8:1

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Oklahoma City Barons

Record: 40-29-2-9 91 pts., 5^th place West Division (West’s Crossover team)

Power Play: 15^th // 18.7%

Penalty Kill: 13^th // 82.5%

Top 3 scorers: Alexandre Giroux (70 GP, 32-46-78, +1), Brad Moran (79 GP, 20-52-72, +1), Colin McDonald (80 GP, 42-16-58, -2)

Overview: Expansion team Oklahoma City makes the playoffs in its first year. Alexandre Giroux shuttled between parent Edmonton and Oklahoma City all year. Edmonton missed the playoffs so the Barons got back five players from the NHL on Sunday.

First Round Matchup: Hamilton Bulldogs

Record against the Bulldogs: 1-1

Head to Head: October 24: OKC 3 @ HAM 2 (OT) — December 17: HAM 3 @ OKC 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 40:1

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Peoria Rivermen

Record: 42-30-3-5 92 pts., 3^rd place North Division

Power Play: 8^th // 19.5%

Penalty Kill: 6^th // 84.8%

Top 3 scorers: T.J. Hensick (59 GP, 21-48-69, +8), Graham Mink (70 GP, 24-26-50, -12), Nicholas Drazenovic (75 GP, 23-23-46, +1)

Overview: In a tight race in the West Division, the Rivermen managed to finish third guided by veterans Graham Mink and Dean Arsene, both former Calder Cup winners with the Hershey Bears.

First Round Matchup: Houston Aeros

Record against the Aeros: 4-1-0-1

Head to Head: October 16: PEO 3 @ HOU 2 – October 22: PEO 1 @ HOU 0 (OT) – November 13: HOU 0 @ PEO 3 – November 14: HOU 5 @ PEO 2 – February 11 HOU 4 @ PEO 3 (SO) – PEO 3 @ HOU 1

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 15:1

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Texas Stars

Record: 41-29-4-6 92 pts., 4^th place West Division

Power Play: 20^th // 17.1%

Penalty Kill: 23^rd // 80.9%

Top 3 scorers: Greg Rallo (78 GP, 26-28-54), Travis Morin (64 GP, 21-24-45, +9), Colton Sceviour (77 GP, 16-25-41, +4)

Overview: The defending Western Conference Champions are back in the playoffs the second year in franchise history. Much of the core which lost to the Hershey Bears in 6 games return for another chance at the Calder Cup.

First Round Matchup: Milwaukee Admirals

Record against the Admirals: 5-1

Head to Head: November 20: MIL @ TEX 2 – November 26: MIL 1 @ TEX 0 – December 11: TEX 3 @ MIL 2 (OT) – January 22: MIL 1 @ TEX 2 (SO) – February 20: TEX 2 @ MIL 1 – April 8: TEX 3 @ MIL 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 20:1

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Eastern Conference Calder Cup Preview will be up tomorrow! Check it out!

Fourth Quarter of the 2010-2011 AHL regular season in the books as of Sunday. In the East, five of the eight teams made it with the Binghamton Senators crossing over to play the Manchester Monarchs. In all likelihood, the Calder Cup winner is coming out of this division again this year.

Adirondack Phantoms:  (31-39-4-6 – 72 pts., 6^th place) Went 11-8-1-0 its last 20 games. Having Micheal Leighton in net helped a bit. If it returns its core for next year with improvements at key positions it could possibly contend next season for a playoff spot. Did a complete 180 in the season from League Doormat to a halfway respectable team. Needs the trend to continue next season. Grade: C

Albany Devils: (32-42-1-5 – 70 pts., 8^th place) Fell to the basement and finished as the leagues worst team. Not just standings wise but also in power play and penalty kill. Issues everywhere with this team. Don’t expect much change for next year. New Jersey affiliates normally are not built to win or develop anything other than getting your head beat in. Fans in Albany deserve better. Grade: F

Binghamton Senators: (42-30-3-5 – 92 pts., 5^th place) Went 10-9-0-1 its last 20 games. Received help from parent Ottawa when they sent the calvary Sunday afternoon for the playoff push. Crossing over to the Atlantic to play Manchester first round. Has had Wilkes-Barre’s number all year long. Only way the two meet is in the Eastern Conference Finals. Status uncertain on league MVP Corey Locke but they have Bobby Butler back from Ottawa. Grade: B

Charlotte Checkers: (44-27-2-7 – 97 pts., 3^rd place) Parent Carolina missed the playoffs so the Checkers get Drayson Bowman back from the NHL squad. First round matchup is with Hershey. Top line is a dangerous and the defense is good but the issue remains in goal for this team. Regular Mike Murphy is out and Justin Pogge is easily rattled. Overpowered opponents with goals but in a seven game playoff series with all the adjustments the opponent can make it’d worry me just a bit. Grade: B+

Hershey Bears: (46-26-3-5 – 100 pts., 2^nd place) If the Bears escape the East Division they will be again the favorites for a back to back to back Calder Cup celebration. The case for this team is that it is getting healthier with key guys coming back from injury while it’s opponents are basically who they are. The case against is Braden Holtby in net then a huge drop off to late addition loan from Providence Nolan Schaefer. Holtby is hot / cold and Hershey for whatever reason could not beat Wilkes-Barre soundly all year. Despite all the above, still managed to finish in the top 5 overall points wise. Grade: A-

Norfolk Admirals: (39-26-9-6 – 93 pts., 4^th place) Skidded into the playoffs with a ghastly 3-6-1-0 record in its last 10 games. Beat Connecticut in it’s last game to leapfrog Binghamton and stay in the East Division instead of crossing over and playing Manchester. Probably the coldest team coming into the Calder Cup Playoffs and a huge underdog drawing league behemoth Wilkes-Barre / Scranton first round. Grade: C

Syracuse Crunch: (35-38-3-4 – 77 pts., 6^th place) But for the Rockford IceHogs who went 9-1 in their last 10 games, there was nary a team hotter in the entire AHL. The Crunch went 8-2 in their last 10 games and 15-5 in the fourth quarter. Lots of upset fans in Syracuse who were left wanting much more than the front office and parent Anaheim Ducks gave them. It’s never any good when your GM releases a statement towards a small group of fans ripping the team. I picked them to finish last in the third quarter grades. I was wrong. They finished 6^th. Next year can be a different story with this team. Grade: B-

Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins: (58-21-0-1 – 117 pts., 1^st place) Second all time in AHL history in wins with 58, only behind last years Bears squad who won 60 games. Led the division wire to wire and never looked back. 14-5-0-1 in the final 20 games. Mindset from AHL Coach of the Year John Hynes is to win every single game and never let off a shift. Losing is unacceptable. League’s best team. Goaltender of the Year in Brad Thiessen. He and backup John Curry are formidable to any lineup. Pens fans breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that the Binghamton Senators will cross over. Anything short of a Calder Cup celebration in June will be seen as a major disappointment. Odds on favorite to win it this year. Grade: A+

So there you have it. Western Conference Playoff Preview will be up tomorrow with the Eastern Conference Playoff Preview up Thursday.

Let’s Go Pens!