The 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs are in full swing, and each series has already provided some great moments including some overtime games, shutouts, and more. Here's an update from around the American Hockey League.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Hershey Bears

Penguins win series 4-1

Game 1: Penguins 2, Bears 1 (OT)
Game 2: Penguins 6, Bears 2
Game 3: Penguins 5, Bears 1
Game 4: Bears 3, Penguins 2 (OT)
Game 5: Penguins 7, Bears 3

Series Summary: The Bears faced elimination again in Game Five, but this time they were unable to hold off the attack of the Penguins, who eliminated them with a 7-3 shellacking Friday night. The Penguins were a force to be reckoned with on home ice during the season; they scored 18 goals in three homes games. John Curry was a key for the Penguins success in round one allowing only three goals twice in five games. Tim Brent played extremely well and scored 11 points in the five games to lead the AHL; his teammate Alex Goligoski also scored nine points. Regardless of which goaltender the Bears threw at Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins were able to find a way to beat both Frederic Cassivi and Daren Machesney. Hershey’s penalty killing haunted them in round one, allowing eight power play goals and ranked last in the league at 70.4%

Philadelphia Phantoms vs. Albany River Rats

Series tied 3-3

Game 1: River Rats 4, Phantoms 0
Game 2: Phantoms 3, River Rats 0
Game 3: River Rats 4, Phantoms 1
Game 4: Phantoms 2, River Rats 1
Game 5: Phantoms 3, River Rats 2 (5OT)
Game 6: River Rats 1, Phantoms 0 (OT)
Game 7: River Rats @ Phantoms, Tuesday 7:05

Game 6 Summary: Overtime was needed one again in Game Six, but this time they needed just one overtime period instead of five. The Phantoms and River Rats played a scoreless 60 minutes, and it wasn’t until 10:38 into overtime when Kirk MacDonald scored the game-winning goal. After facing 101 shots Thursday night, Michael Leighton faced only 40 shots en route to his second shutout of the series. Scott Munroe was excellent in goal allowing only one goal on 41 shots; unfortunately the team in front of him wasn’t able to get anything past Leighton. This series will be decided on Tuesday night in Game 7.

Providence Bruins vs. Portland Pirates

Bruins lead series 2-0

Game 1: Bruins 4, Pirates 0
Game 2: Bruins 7, Pirates 1
Game 3: Bruins @ Pirates, May 2 7:05 pm
Game 4: Bruins @ Pirates, May 4 4:05
*Game 5: Bruins @ Pirates, May 6 7:05
*Game 6: Pirates @ Bruins, May 9 7:05
*Game 7: Pirates @ Bruins, May 10 7:05
* - if necessary

Game 2 Summary: If the Providence Bruins weren’t on the AHL radar before, they are now after a commanding 7-1 win over the Portland Pirates Sunday afternoon. Providence used a four goal third period to pull away from Portland and take a 2-0 series lead. Providence got three goals from Martin Karsums and two from Petteri Nokelainen. Tuukka Rask was once again amazing in net for Providence stopping 18 of 19 shots. Power plays were at a minimum in Game Two with each team receiving only two; Providence converted on one. Goaltender J.S. Aubin is injured and hasn’t appeared in the first two games for Portland.

Toronto Marlies vs. San Antonio Rampage

Series tied 3-3

Game 1: Marlies 4, Rampage 3
Game 2: Rampage 6, Marlies 3
Game 3: Rampage 3, Marlies 2
Game 4: Marlies 3, Rampage 2
Game 5: Marlies 2, Rampage 1
Game 6: Rampage 3, Marlies 0
Game 7: Rampage @ Marlies, Monday 7:30 pm

Game 6 Summary: With the San Antonio Rampage facing elimination in Game Six, they needed to play their best game of the series. San Antonio got two first period goals en route to a 3-0 win and force a seventh game on Monday night. The Rampage also got a tremendous effort from goaltender Josh Tordjman with a 38 save effort. The Marlies threw everything they had at San Antonio, but San Antonio played its best defensive game.

Syracuse Crunch vs. Manitoba Moose

Crunch lead series 3-2

Game 1: Crunch 2, Moose 1 (OT)
Game 2: Moose 3, Crunch 2 (OT)
Game 3: Crunch 2, Moose 1 (OT)
Game 4: Moose 5, Crunch 2
Game 5: Crunch 3, Moose 2 (OT)
Game 6: Moose @ Crunch, Monday 7 pm
*Game 7: Moose @ Crunch, Tuesday 7 pm
* - if necessary

Game 5 Summary: The Syracuse Crunch played come from behind for most of the game and needed a third period goal to force overtime. At the 10:54 mark of overtime, Derek MacKenzie beat Cory Schneider for the game-winning goal. Syracuse had 33 shots, but for the most part, Schneider was up to the task. Syracuse can now close out the series on Monday with a win. Manitoba will be looking to force a seventh and final game.

Chicago Wolves vs. Milwaukee Admirals

Wolves win series 4-2

Game 1: Admirals 4, Wolves 3 (OT)
Game 2: Wolves 2, Admirals 1
Game 3: Wolves 4, Admirals 3 (OT)
Game 4: Admirals 2, Wolves 0
Game 5: Wolves 4, Admirals 1
Game 6: Wolves 3, Admirals 0

Series Summary: The Chicago Wolves advanced to the second round Saturday night with a shutout performance by Ondrej Pavelec. Jason Krog, Jesse Schultz, and Joe Motzko led the Wolves in scoring against the Admirals; they combined for 14 points. Chicago allowed only three power play goals against which contributed to their win. Pavelec wasn’t spectacular in their series, but he was there when the Wolves needed him.

Rockford IceHogs vs. Houston Aeros

IceHogs win series 4-1

Game 1: IceHogs 3, Aeros 1
Game 2: Aeros 1, IceHogs 0 (2OT)
Game 3: IceHogs 2, Aeros 1
Game 4: IceHogs 2, Aeros 1
Game 5: IceHogs 5, Aeros 2

Series Summary: The Rockford IceHogs advanced to the second round Friday night with a commanding 5-2 win over the Houston Aeros. Corey Crawford was, without a doubt, a main reason why the IceHogs were victorious in this series. Crawford allowed one goal four times and allowed two goals once. Houston had problems scoring the entire series, but Barry Brust played an excellent series despite the Game Five loss. Special teams were a non-factor as both teams were held to no power play goals.

Top Five Playoff Points Leaders

Tim Brent, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 11 points
Alex Goligoski, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 9 points
Pascal Pelletier, Providence Bruins - 8 points
Jeff Hoggan, Providence Bruins - 7 points
Brendan Bell, San Antonio Rampage - 7 points

Top Five Goaltenders GAA

Michael Leighton, Albany River Rats - 1.06
Corey Crawford, Rockford IceHogs - 1.10
Tuukka Rask, Providence Bruins - 1.15
Scott Munroe, Philadelphia Phantoms - 1.46
Ondrej Pavelec, Chicago Wolves - 1.74