Five For Howling, a Phoenix Coyotes community

From the playoff standpoint, it's identical to the NHL system save for the best of 5 opening round. The divisions themselves are largely self-explanatory, but you'd think they'd have switched Charlotte and Abbotsford. Interesting that NY teams are in 3 divisions among both conferences!

Add another young defenseman into the mix in Portland. Crawford had a remarkable season in the Ontario Hockey League and I'm excited to see how he does in the American Hockey League.

The Portland Pirates added to the disappointment of the Sabres organization with a 2-1 overtime loss to the Manchester Monarchs. The Pirates trail the series three games to none.

The Portland Pirates followed the lead of the parent Sabres, dropping game two in their best-of-seven series with the Manchester Monarchs. Manchester now leads the series 2-0 with game three on Monday night.

When Hurricanes executives Jim Rutherford and Jason Karmanos joined Charlotte Checkers owner Michael Kahn to announce that the Canes AHL affiliate was coming to the state, the news came with cheers from most hockey fans in North Carolina. Not cheering? The people of Albany, N.Y., who were losing not only the players they had grown accustomed to courtesy the relationship with the Hurricanes, but also their AHL franchise. But according to a report Tuesday from the Albany Times Union, the city could land a replacement for the River Rats by the first week in March. Bob Belber, the general manager of the Times Union Center, told the TImes Union that the arena has been in talks with a current AHL team — reportedly the Portland (Maine) Pirates — and that a deal could be in place by the first week in March, if all the details can be ironed out. One minor but noteworthy item still on the table: whether or not the River Rats name would live on. The Pirates are the affiliate for the Sabres, and given the proximity of Albany to Buffalo — about four and a half hours, weather permitting — the teams would benefit from a similar relationship that the Hurricanes and Checkers will have next season.

The Portland Pirates 4-3 victory over Rochester set the franchise record for the most consecutive wins. The same two teams meet again today at 3 p.m. at the Blue Cross Arena. If you have a chance you should take a ride down the THruway and see the future Sabres take on the Amerks.

I'm not sure how much stock we can put into this very vague story about the Portland Pirates moving. If it is true it will move the Sabres AHL affiliate a little bit closer to home.

The Portland Pirates announced that they will once again play a game at HSBC Arena this season. The game will take place in November this time around.

Some perspective on the Sabes rookies that are developing in Portland. We may see two or three of these guys on the Sabres roster permanently next season.

Another Pirate heads to Germany to play. The Sabres will definitely be on the lookout for some veteran AHL players to fill out the roster.