Lake Erie secures playoff invite

In their first season affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Lake Erie Monsters are bringing playoff hockey back to Cleveland.

Lake Erie clinched a spot in the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs on Saturday night, the club’s second postseason appearance in nine seasons of existence and their first since 2011.

The Monsters (39-21-5-5, 88 points, .629) are on a five-game winning streak and have closed to within three points of Central Division-leading Milwaukee.

Five of the 16 playoff spots in the American Hockey League postseason have now been claimed. For more information and daily updates on the playoff races, check out the official AHL Playoff Primer.