AHL Morning Skate Highlights for April 30, 2025

Key Insights and Game Notes
The Hershey Bears are set to start their mission for a 3rd successive Calder Cup champion by taking on versus the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Game 1 of their best-of-five playoff series this night. The Phantoms enter into this match fresh from an outstanding upset success over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, winning both video games because series. They have actually attained an exceptional five-game winning streak, going back to the routine season, that includes success versus Hershey on April 12 and April 19. Helge Grans made a considerable contribution by scoring the definitive objective in the closing minutes of Game 2, marking his first-ever objective in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, Jett Luchanko, Philadelphia’s leading draft choice from the 2024 NHL Draft, showcased his skill with 4 helps throughout the 2 video games versus the Penguins. Parker Gahagen has actually been excellent in objective for Lehigh Valley, boasting a record of 2-0 with a goals-against average of 2.02 and a conserve portion of .937, effectively stopping 59 of 63 shots dealt with throughout the series. Hershey will lack its leading scorer from the routine season, Ethan Bear, a Second Team AHL All-Star defenseman, who is presently remembered to the Washington Capitals. Ivan Miroshnichenko led the Bears with 23 objectives, while Hendrix Lapierre taped 32 points in 32 video games this season. Todd Nelson, head coach of the Bears, gets in the postseason with 70 profession playoff success, positioning him 3rd all-time in playoff wins. This will mark the seventh playoff encounter in between these franchises, with both groups uniformly matched in the routine season, each winning 5 video games.

Critical Game Insights and Notes
The Laval Rocket, who controlled the routine season, are getting ready to begin their playoff journey this night as they deal with the Cleveland Monsters in the North Division semifinals. The Rocket attained an outstanding 48-win season, boasting 101 points and making the desired Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy. In contrast, the Monsters protected their playoff area after an awesome two-game sweep versus the Toronto Marlies, both success being available in overtime. James Malatesta clinched the series with a significant objective in the 2nd overtime duration, showcasing the Monsters’ strength. The Monsters have actually played numerous successive overtime video games in current postseasons, showing their perseverance. In the previous round, defensemen Denton Mateychuk and Madison Bowey were standout entertainers for Cleveland, contributing substantially to the scoring efforts. Jet Greaves, in objective for the Monsters, did not deal with the Rocket throughout the routine season, as both groups divided their 4 encounters. The Rocket had 6 gamers score over 20 objectives this season, with Laurent Dauphin leading the charge. Notably, novice Florian Xhekaj made history as the very first gamer to lead the AHL in charge minutes while likewise netting 20 or more objectives in a single season, highlighting the Rocket’s offending expertise. They likewise stood out defensively, enabling simply 2.47 objectives per video game, connected for the very best in the league.

After a difficult series that saw back-to-back overtime video games versus the Toronto Marlies, the Cleveland Monsters are grateful for a well-deserved break before their approaching difficulty. They concluded their first-round series with a thrilling double-overtime success at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Saturday, showing their strength. A 3rd video game in the series would have positioned extra stress on the gamers, and now, with the Laval Rocket on the horizon, this additional time off is a clear benefit. “You could see the energy from both teams waning,” said Monsters head coach Trent Vogelhuber after the series-clinching win. However, he is positive that his group will be stimulated and prepared for the difficulty ahead. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us, facing a top team in playoff hockey. The environments are going to be electric, and I’m eager to see how we perform,” he included. Meanwhile, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms are getting ready to deal with the safeguarding champs, the Hershey Bears, in what is anticipated to be an increasingly competitive series. Despite the heated competition, the Phantoms approach the match with a sense of regard. “I respect how Hershey plays; they always come to compete and make winning plays, especially in the postseason,” kept in mind Phantoms head coach Ian Laperriere. He stressed the value of discipline and puck management, acknowledging the Bears’ capability to take advantage of mistakes. “Our players respect Hershey’s game, and to secure victory, we must be disciplined and manage the puck effectively,” Laperriere concluded.

― with files from Patrick Williams

In the current Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2022 Calder Cup champ Pyotr Kochetkov showcased his abilities with 31 conserves, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a thrilling 5-4 double-overtime success over the New Jersey Devils, protecting the series win 4 video games to one. Meanwhile, two-time AHL All-Star Linus Ullmark starred for the Ottawa Senators, making a nothing with 29 conserves in a definitive 4-0 win versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. The enjoyment continued as Brett Howden scored in overtime to provide the Vegas Golden Knights a 3-2 success over the Minnesota Wild, moving them to a 3-2 series lead. Furthermore, Mattias Janmark scored the important consent objective for the Edmonton Oilers and Calvin Pickard, a 2018 Calder Cup champ, made 21 conserves in a strong 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.