AHL, ECHL and QMJHL Set Pairings

The Abbotsford Heat needed a seventh game to overtake the Rochester Americans in the first round of the American Hockey League's playoffs, completing the roster of teams for the second round.

The Hamilton Bulldogs will face Abbotsford, with Hamilton holding the higher seeding in this best-of-seven series, which begins Thursday. The other second-round matchup in the Western Conference has the Chicago Wolves facing the Texas Stars. That series starts Friday.

In the East Coast Hockey League playoffs, Stockton will play Idaho in the third round, with that series beginning Friday. Reading awaits the winner of the Cincinnati/Charlotte series, which will be settled tonight.

And finally, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's championship round will begin Friday, and it will be the first all-Maritime final in the league's history. The Saint John Sea Dogs are the higher seed against the Moncton Wildcats in the battle to represent the league in the Memorial Cup tournament. And not to be forgotten, there is the matter of bragging rights for all of New Brunswick.

The pairings are as follows

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Best of 7
Hamilton Bulldogs vs. Abbotsford Heat
Thursday: Abbotsford at Hamilton
Sunday: Abbotsford at Hamilton
May 4: Hamilton at Abbotsford
May 6: Hamilton at Abbotsford
May 8: Hamilton at Abbotsford, if needed
May 10: Abbotsford at Hamilton, if needed
May 11: Abbotsford at Hamilton, if needed

Chicago Wolves vs. Texas Stars
Friday: Texas at Chicago
Sunday: Texas at Chicago
May 4: Chicago at Texas
May 5: Chicago at Texas
May 7: Chicago at Texas, if needed
May 9: Texas at Chicago, if needed
May 11: Texas at Chicago, if needed

EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Stockton Thunder vs. Idaho Steelheads
Friday: Stockton at Idaho
Saturday: Stockton at Idaho
May 5: Idaho at Stockton
May 7: Idaho at Stockton
May 8: Idaho at Stockton, if needed
May 11: Stockton at Idaho, if needed
May 12: Stockton at Idaho, if needed

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
President Cup Finals
Best of 7
Moncton Wildcats vs. Saint John Sea Dogs
Friday: Moncton at Saint John
Sunday: Saint John at Moncton
May 4: Moncton at Saint John
May 7: Saint John at Moncton
May 8: Moncton at Saint John, if needed
May 10: Saint John at Moncton, if needed
May 11: Moncton at Saint John, if needed