The Providence Bruins and Hershey Bears clinched the final two Atlantic Division spots in the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday night.
Providence punched its ticket when Bridgeport dropped a 7-0 decision in Springfield. Moments later, Hershey wrapped up a 2-1 win in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to clinch as well.
The Bruins, in their first season under head coach Kevin Dean, will participate in the Calder Cup Playoffs for the fifth year in a row and the 20th time in the franchise’s 25 seasons.
The Bears are off to the playoffs for the 67th time in franchise history. The 11-time Calder Cup champions will make the postseason for the 11th time in 12 seasons since beginning their affiliation with the Washington Capitals in 2005.
The Bruins and Bears meet on Saturday night; the winner of that game will finish in third place and face Lehigh Valley in the division semifinals, while the loser gets fourth place and a first-round matchup with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The AHL’s 2016-17 regular season ends Saturday; for more information and daily updates on the Calder Cup Playoff races, check out the official AHL Playoff Primer.
