The Grand Rapids Griffins are heating up at just the right time. After a decisive victory over the Manitoba Moose in the AHL Central Division Semifinals, the team is now locked in for a high-stakes Calder Cup Playoffs showdown against the Chicago Wolves.

This marks the first time these two rivals have met in the postseason since the 2019 Central Division Semifinals, where the Wolves edged out the Griffins in a tight five-game series. But this year, the Griffins carry a new weight—they are the only division champion left standing in the entire Calder Cup Playoffs, following the elimination of the Providence Bruins.

The full schedule for the best-of-five series has been released, and fans can expect a thrilling back-and-forth between Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids and Allstate Arena in Chicago. Action kicks off Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at Grand Rapids. Game 2 follows on Saturday, May 16, also at home. The series then shifts to Chicago for Game 3 on Tuesday, May 19, and, if needed, Game 4 on Thursday, May 21. A potential Game 5 would bring the action back to Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 23.

The Griffins earned their spot in this series with a gutsy performance against the Moose, led by forward Carter Mazur, who scored two goals in the clinching game. Mazur, a Detroit Red Wings draft pick (70th overall in 2021), is proving his value when it matters most. Between the pipes, goaltender Michal Postava has been nothing short of stellar. He made 19 saves in the series-clinching win and now boasts an incredible 1.25 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage in the playoffs, including one shutout.

Whether you're a die-hard hockey fan or just love the energy of playoff hockey, this is the kind of series that defines a season. The ice is set, the schedule is locked—let the battle begin.