SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has announced the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The series will pit the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, top affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, against the Syracuse Crunch, top development club for the Tampa Bay Lightning, in a best-of-seven series beginning Saturday night in Syracuse.

The Penguins advanced on Wednesday night with a 5-0 victory at Providence, becoming the third team in the 77-year history of the American Hockey League to come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win.

Syracuse earned a spot in the conference finals with a four-game sweep of the Springfield Falcons in the second round.

Eastern Conference Finals – Series “M” (best-of-7)

3-Syracuse Crunch vs. 5-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Game 1 – Sat., May 25 – W-B/Scranton at Syracuse, 7:00

Game 2 – Sun., May 26 – W-B/Scranton at Syracuse, 7:00

Game 3 – Wed., May 29 – Syracuse at W-B/Scranton, 7:05

Game 4 – Fri., May 31 – Syracuse at W-B/Scranton, 7:05

*Game 5 – Sat., June 1 – W-B/Scranton at Syracuse, 7:00

*Game 6 – Mon., June 3 – Syracuse at W-B/Scranton, 7:05

*Game 7 – Wed., June 5 – W-B/Scranton at Syracuse, 7:00

*if necessary… All times Eastern

In the Western Conference Finals, the Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings) will take on the Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers) beginning Friday night.

Western Conference Finals – Series “N” (best-of-7)

3-Grand Rapids Griffins vs. 5-Oklahoma City Barons

Game 1 – Fri., May 24 – Oklahoma City at Grand Rapids, 7:00

Game 2 – Sat., May 25 – Oklahoma City at Grand Rapids, 7:00

Game 3 – Wed., May 29 – Grand Rapids at Oklahoma City, 8:00

Game 4 – Fri., May 31 – Grand Rapids at Oklahoma City, 8:00

*Game 5 – Sat., June 1 – Grand Rapids at Oklahoma City, 8:00

*Game 6 – Tue., June 4 – Oklahoma City at Grand Rapids, 7:00

*Game 7 – Wed., June 5 – Oklahoma City at Grand Rapids, 7:00

*if necessary… All times Eastern