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. The first round is now complete and here's a recap.

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 very well, scoring 11 points in just 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

Phantoms win series 4-3

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: Phantoms 2, River Rats 0

Series Summary: This series was all about goaltending. Both Michael Leighton and Scott Munroe pitched two shutouts in the series, but Monroe’s second came in the decisive Game 7. The River Rats and Phantoms played the longest game in AHL history in Game 5 with a thrilling five overtime contest. Philadelphia had trouble scoring in this series, managing just three or more goals twice in seven games. The Phantoms were led in scoring by Jared Ross with four points. Philadelphia now advances to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the East Division Finals.

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 2 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

Marlies win series 4-3

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: Marlies 2, Rampage 1

Series Summary: Game 7 between Toronto and San Antonio was expected to go down to the wire and that’s what happened. The game-winning goals came with 59 seconds remaining from Bates Battaglia, which gave the Marlies a Game 7 win. San Antonio wasn’t suppose to last even five games, but they gave it all they had in making this one of the most exciting series of the playoffs. Toronto got scoring from all around which proved to be their strong point. Unlike Toronto, San Antonio got production from three key players which was their downfall. San Antonio found a weakness in Toronto and that was their penalty killing. San Antonio was able to record eight power play goals but at 5-on-5, Toronto was the better team.

Syracuse Crunch vs. Manitoba Moose

Crunch win series 4-2

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: Crunch 3, Moose 2 (OT)

Series Summary: This series was everything it was advertised to be - five overtime games and a grueling six game series. When all was said and done, The Syracuse Crunch were the better team, and they proved it Monday night with a 3-2 overtime win to clinch the series. Karl Goehring was on his game all series long and only allowed the Moose to score two or more goals only twice. Derick Brassard, Derek MacKenzie, and Zenon Konopka led the Crunch in scoring with each getting five. Manitoba didn’t go down without a fight and Brad Moran tried to keep his team in it, but when it was over, Syracuse was the better team. The Crunch now advance to face the Toronto Marlies.

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 just 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 in this series 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 - 8 points
Pascal Pelletier, Providence Bruins - 8 points
Jeff Hoggan, Providence Bruins - 7 points
Brendan Bell, San Antonio Rampage - 7 points

Top Five Goaltenders GAA

Corey Crawford, Rockford IceHogs - 1.10
Tuukka Rask, Providence Bruins - 1.15
Michael Leighton, Albany River Rats - 1.18
Scott Munroe, Philadelphia Phantoms - 1.29
Ondrej Pavelec, Chicago Wolves - 1.74