SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has announced the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals series of the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Toronto Marlies, top affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, will face the Hershey Bears, top affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, in the best-of-seven series beginning Friday in Hershey, Pa.

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

N1-Toronto Marlies vs. A1-Hershey Bears

Game 1 – Fri., May 20 – Toronto at Hershey, 7:00

Game 2 – Sat., May 21 – Toronto at Hershey, 7:00

Game 3 – Wed., May 25 – Hershey at Toronto, 7:30

Game 4 – Fri., May 27 – Hershey at Toronto, 7:30

*Game 5 – Sun., May 29 – Hershey at Toronto, 3:00

*Game 6 – Tue., May 31 – Toronto at Hershey, 7:00

*Game 7 – Thu., June 2 – Hershey at Toronto, 7:30

*if necessary… All times Eastern

Both the Marlies and Bears advanced with thrilling Game 7 victories. Toronto held off Albany, 4-3, this evening, while Hershey earned a 3-2 overtime win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday.

Founded in 1936 and now with franchises in 30 cities across North America, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives and broadcasters of all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 15th year in a row, more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games in 2015-16.