The American Hockey League's 2025 Awards Gala recently recognized exemplary contributions in the industry. Ryan Snider of the Rockford IceHogs received the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for outstanding business leadership, overseeing significant growth in ticket sales and community engagement. John Sedgwick of the Laval Rocket was honored with the inaugural Bruce Landon Award for his role in assembling a playoff-contending roster. Tera Black of the Charlotte Checkers earned the Thomas Ebright Award for her impactful career in the AHL. The Laval Rocket, boasting the best regular-season record, and Jacob MacDonald from the Colorado Eagles, who set a record for defensemen scoring, were also celebrated. As the league moves forward, the awards will soon be named in honor of former president Dave Andrews, reflecting the AHL's commitment to excellence.

The Charlotte Checkers have triumphed in the AHL's Eastern Conference, claiming the Richard F. Canning Trophy after a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Laval Rocket, completing a four-game sweep. Jesse Puljujärvi netted the winning goal with just over two minutes left, pivotal in the Checkers' comeback from a 2-0 deficit. This win extends Charlotte's impressive eight-game playoff winning streak as they head into the Calder Cup Finals against either Abbotsford or Texas.

Throughout the series against Laval, Charlotte demonstrated resilience, with key contributions from players like Justin Sourdif and MacKenzie Entwistle, who scored vital goals to equalize after falling behind. Entwistle's shorthanded goal marked a remarkable feat, tying for the AHL postseason record. Meanwhile, goalie Kaapo Kähkönen showcased exceptional skill, stopping 23 shots and allowing two goals or fewer in nine of his twelve playoff games. The Checkers, affiliated with the NHL’s Florida Panthers, have made history by reaching both the Calder Cup and Stanley Cup Finals in the same season for the first time since 2008.

The Rochester Americans fell short in their playoff run, succumbing to the Laval Rocket in a decisive 5-0 loss during Game 5, which sealed their elimination from the AHL playoffs. The Amerks, who had shown resilience in Game 4 with a strong win, could not replicate that success against the top-seeded Rocket, who dominated the game. Coach Michael Leone acknowledged the gap in performance, pointing to an uncharacteristic night for goalie Devon Levi, who was unable to stop the onslaught from Laval’s offense.

The Rocket struck first with a power-play goal from Alex Barre-Boulet, followed quickly by a second from Sean Farrell, putting the Amerks on the back foot early. The second period saw Laval extend their lead to 3-0 just seconds in, leading to a delay of game penalty that further compounded Rochester's troubles. Despite their regular-season success, the Amerks faced an uphill battle in this elimination game and ultimately were unable to find their rhythm. This outcome marks another frustrating end to their season, leaving fans wondering about the potential for next year.

In a crucial showdown on Friday, the Rochester Amerks showcased their resilience by overpowering Laval with a decisive 5-1 victory, forcing a deciding Game 5 in the AHL North Division finals. Goalie Devon Levi played a pivotal role with 22 saves, rebounding from a challenging previous game.

Josh Dunne emerged as the offensive star, contributing two goals and two assists, highlighting his ability to impact the game beyond traditional metrics. His performance under pressure showcased the depth of the Amerks as they rallied together for a potential series-clinching victory.

Rochester Amerks are gearing up for their North Division finals against Laval. After sweeping Syracuse with a standout performance from Devon Levi, they face a wait until May 14 for game one at Blue Cross Arena. Tickets go on sale soon, with pregame festivities planned including a happy hour and giveaways. The schedule sees games two and three back-to-back, making this a crucial series for both teams.