If it’s spring, there is an excellent chance that Curtis McKenzie is playing for the Calder Cup.

The Abbotsford Canucks, Calgary Wranglers, Ontario Reign and Tucson Roadrunners all will fight for their seasons tonight as they try to navigate the gauntlet that is the Pacific Division’s opening round.

Playoff hockey in the city of Toronto is special. It’s also just about been a given for the past decade. This year’s Marlies had a scare late in the regular season, but they feel good about where they are as the playoffs open.

Two teams, one spot. Who wants it? Six of the Pacific Division’s seven playoff berths have been claimed. One is left, and that fight is down to the Tucson Roadrunners and the Bakersfield Condors.

The Belleville Senators’ high-wire act continues tonight with a do-or-die rematch with the Laval Rocket at Place Bell.

Just weeks after completing his third round of chemotherapy in his battle against acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Will Francis made his pro hockey debut with San Diego on Sunday.

Newly signed contracts in hand for their goaltending duo, the Milwaukee Admirals have a chance to tighten their hold on the Central Division further this weekend.

Jacob Fowler’s arrival in Laval provides a jolt of excitement for Canadiens fans who have a team positioned to return to the NHL postseason and a deep base of young talent with the first-place Rocket at the AHL level.

Being on the outside of the Calder Cup Playoff picture at this stage of the season makes for a difficult task. But impossible? Definitely not.

A massive challenge looms this weekend for the Abbotsford Canucks, whose 11-game winning streak is the longest in the AHL this season. The Laval Rocket come to Abbotsford Centre tonight and Sunday, giving the Canucks a chance to match themselves against the first-overall team in the league.