Time for me to make an idiot of myself again. Here goes.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Empire Division

#1 Rochester Americans v. #4 Adirondack Red Wings

Game One:   Wednesday, April 21 at Rochester
Game Two:   Friday, April 23 at Rochester
Game Three: Saturday, April 24 at Adirondack
*Game Four: Tuesday, April 27 at Adirondack
*Game Five: Saturday, May 1 at Rochester

Rochester in three.

They're bothering to play this series? Just give the Amerks the sweep and save the Red Wings a bucket of heartache.

#2 Albany River Rats v. #3 Hamilton Bulldogs

Game One:   Thursday, April 22 at Albany
Game Two:   Saturday, April 24 at Albany
Game Three: Wednesday, April 28 at Hamilton
*Game Four: Friday, April 30 at Hamilton
*Game Five: Saturday, May 1 at Albany 

Albany in five.

A good, even series to begin with gets even closer with John Madden's hand injury. Albany has generally been the better team this season, as Hamilton has gone as Steve Passmore has gone more often than not. But Madden's absence gives the Bulldogs a shot at it. I like the Rats but this is the most likely upset here.

Mid-Atlantic Division

#1 Philadelphia Phantoms v. #4 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks

Game One:   Thursday, April 22 at Philadelphia (First Union Center)
Game Two:   Saturday, April 24 at Philadelphia (First Union Center)
Game Three: Sunday, April 25 at Cincinnati
*Game Four: Wednesday, April 28 at Cincinnati     
*Game Five: Friday, April 30 at Philadelphia (First Union Spectrum)

Philadelphia in four.

The Phantoms aren't the juggernaut that they were last year, merely a very good team. And a streaky team at that, which will keep them from repeating their championship. But the Mighty Ducks, despite the fireworks that happen when these teams meet, just don't have enough to take this to the next round. An added attraction: where possible, Phantoms playoff games will be played at the First Union Center.

#2 Kentucky Thoroughblades v. #3 Hershey Bears

Game One:   Friday, April 23 at Kentucky
Game Two:   Saturday, April 24 at Kentucky
Game Three: Wednesday, April 28 at Hershey
*Game Four: Friday, April 30 at Hershey
*Game Five: Sunday, May 2 at Kentucky

Hershey in five.

A repeat of the last two year's matchups, but don't look for any ten-goal margins this time. These two teams have played each other tight, close and nasty in all twelve games and nothing will change in the playoffs, except maybe everyone's bedtime. Look for at least two of these to go in overtime. The edge goes to Hershey, for being the stronger (and, interestingly, the more disciplined) of the teams in the second half of the season. However, the Bears will be without Mike Gaul for the foreseeable future.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New England Division

#1 Providence Bruins v. #4 Worcester IceCats

Game One:   Friday, April 23 at Providence
Game Two:   Saturday, April 24 at Providence
Game Three: Friday, April 30 at Worcester
*Game Four: Saturday, May 1 at Worcester
*Game Five: Wednesday, May 5 at Providence

Providence in four.

Under most circumstances I'd just give the Bruins the sweep, except the baby Bs stumbled a bit in the last week. And more so because Worcester occasionally comes up tremendously big, such as ending Providence's win streaks earlier this season. But the IceCats are woefully inconsistent and the playoff push cooked what they had left.

#2 Hartford WolfPack v. #3 Springfield Falcons

Game One:   Friday, April 23 at Hartford
Game Two:   Saturday, April 24 at Hartford
Game Three: Friday, April 30 at Springfield
*Game Four: Saturday, May 1 at Springfield
*Game Five: Monday, May 3 at Hartford

Hartford in five.

The I-91 series returns with two teams that can't get through 60 minutes unscathed. Both teams have been inconsistent, even within a single game. Hartford has by far the better personnel, but also a penchant for giving up games late which plays into Springfield's talent, third period comebacks. The 'Pack are older and wiser, however, and will come away with the series eventually.

Atlantic Division

#1 Lowell Lock Monsters v. #4 Saint John Flames

Game One:   Friday, April 23 at Lowell
Game Two:   Saturday, April 24 at Lowell
Game Three: Wednesday, April 28 at Saint John
*Game Four: Friday, April 30 at Saint John
*Game Five: Tuesday, May 4 at Lowell

Lowell in five.

Another series between teams that aren't sure what they want to do on any given day. Lowell has been riding the first third of the season for the entire season, and only the end of the Islanders' season really gives them the edge. Saint John will have their full complement of players available for a change, enabling them to take this to Game Five. But Lowell has it.

#2 St. John's Maple Leafs v. #3 Fredericton Canadiens

Game One:   Friday, April 23 at St. John's
Game Two:   Sunday, April 25 at St. John's 
Game Three: Tuesday, April 27 at Fredericton
*Game Four: Thursday, April 29 at Fredericton
*Game Five: Saturday, May 1 at St. John's

A matchup between two teams that were vastly improved the second half of the season and finished in dead heat for second. St. John's barely gets the home ice advantage. While this should be a spirited series, St. John's has been steadier overall and has a veteran influence, especially with Jeff Reese in net. Fredericton's final season will end early.

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