Comets Clinch Playoff Spot

by Mark Caswell, Jr.

Apr 1, 2015

For the first time in franchise history the Utica Comets will be playing in the Calder Cup playoffs. The Comets win over the Rochester Americans, coupled with losses by the Toronto Marlies and the Adirondack Flames, secured their spot in the annual postseason tournament.

The Comets are the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a spot in the postseason, and the third in the American Hockey League behind the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings) and the Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals). The Comets sit just one point away from claiming the North Division Championship, which can be won with a Hamilton Bulldogs loss, or a shootout win, as early as Thursday evening.

Eight teams in each conference qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs, with the three division winners in each conference seeded first through third by order of regular season points. The next five teams, in order of regular season points, will be seeded fourth through eight. Home ice advantage is given to the higher seeded team in each playoff match-up.

The Conference Quarterfinal (the first round) is a best-of-five series. Home ice advantage in the Conference Quarterfinals is granted to those teams seeded first through fourth in each conference.

The Conference Semifinals, and the Conference Finals are a best-of-seven series. Teams are reseeded according to the same criteria as the Conference Quarterfinals, with division leaders seeded first, and granted home ice advantage, while remaining teams will be seeded in order of regular season points.

The Calder Cup Finals are also a best-of-seven series, with home ice determined by the higher number of points in the final standings at the end of the Schedule of Championship Games.

The 2014-15 American Hockey League regular season concludes on April 19, and all playoff dates will be announced at a later date.

For a complete schedule of Utica Comets games, as well as ticketing information, visit www.uticacomets.com.