The Chicago Blackhawks won’t have to travel far to scout their prospects in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.
The Rockford IceHogs, the Hawks’ AHL affiliate, will play the Chicago Wolves, the Vegas Golden Knights minor league team, in a best-of-five Central Division semifinal. The winner will face the winner of the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets) and Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings) in the Central Division final.
Rockford is back in the playoffs after a year absence. The IceHogs have made the postseason five times since becoming the Hawks’ affiliate in 2008.