Blackhawks' minor league affiliate opens playoffs Friday in Texas.
The Chicago Blackhawks' AHL affilate Rockford IceHogs will begin their Western Conference quarterfinals Friday against the Texas Stars.
Rockford is the fourth seed and has home-ice advantage, meaning the final three games of the best-of-five series format could be played in Rockford at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
Rockford will play Games 1 and 2 in Cedar Park, Texas, then return to home for Game 3, which will be April 29. Games 4 and 5, if necessary, are scheduled for May 1 and May 2, respectively.