It will be a clash of nature to determine the AHL’s Champion this season as the Manitoba Moose and Hershey Bears square off in the Calder Cup Finals beginning on Saturday, May 30th at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.

It is the first conference championship in franchise history for the Moose, who began play in Winnipeg in 1996 and joined the AHL in 2001.

The top affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, Manitoba finished first overall in the AHL during the regular season with a record of 50-23-1-6 and 107 points, capturing its second North Division title. The Moose, featuring AHL goaltender of the year Cory Schneider and AHL coach of the year Scott Arniel, defeated the Toronto Marlies in the division semifinals (4-2), the Grand Rapids Griffins in the division finals (4-0) and the Aeros in the conference finals (4-2).

The Bears are heading to the finals for the third time in four years since becoming the top development affiliate of the Washington Capitals, and for the 21st time overall, extending their own league record. Hershey’s most recent AHL championship came in 2006 when they topped the Admirals in six games in the finals.

In his first full season as head coach, Bob Woods guided the Bears to a first-place finish in the East Division during the regular season with a record of 49-23-2-6 (106 points). Hershey defeated Philadelphia in the division semifinals (4-0) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the division finals (4-3) before ousting Providence (4-1) for the Eastern Conference championship.

2009 Calder Cup Finals (best-of-seven)
N1-Manitoba Moose vs. E1-Hershey Bears

Game 1 – Sat., May 30 – Hershey at Manitoba, 8:30
Game 2 – Tue., June 2 – Hershey at Manitoba, 8:30
Game 3 – Sat., June 6 – Manitoba at Hershey, 7:00
Game 4 – Sun., June 7 – Manitoba at Hershey, 5:00
*Game 5 – Tue., June 9 – Manitoba at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 6 – Fri., June 12 – Hershey at Manitoba, 8:30
*Game 7 – Sun., June 14 – Hershey at Manitoba, 8:30
*if necessary... All times Eastern