Three Central Division clubs clinched berths in the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs on Saturday night, leaving only two spots open in the 16-team postseason field.
The Chicago Wolves, Manitoba Moose and Grand Rapids Griffins became the first three teams from the Central to lock up playoff spots.
Chicago is back in the postseason after reaching the second round in 2017. The Wolves are in first place as they bid for their seventh division title in 14 years.
Manitoba is playoff bound for the first time since rejoining the AHL in 2015. The Moose’s last postseason appearance was in 2011.
Grand Rapids, the defending Calder Cup champion, will go to the playoffs for the sixth straight year. The Griffins also won the Cup in 2013 and reached the conference finals in 2015.
The AHL’s 2017-18 regular season ends Sunday, Apr. 15; for more information and daily updates on the Calder Cup Playoff races, check out the official AHL Playoff Primer.
