1976 Calder Cup playoffs

Last updated

1976 Calder Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 3–April 28, 1976
Teams8
Final positions
Champions Nova Scotia Voyageurs
Runner-up Hershey Bears
  1975
1977  

The 1976 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 3, 1976. [1] The top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The two division winners earned byes for the Division Semifinals while the other two teams in each division played best-of-five series. The winners played best-of-seven series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on April 28, 1976, with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs defeating the Hershey Bears four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the second time in team history. [2] Coincidentally, the Voyageurs parent club, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in a four-game sweep over the Philadelphia Flyers, making them the first pair of teams in history to win both the AHL's Calder Cup and NHL's Stanley Cup in the same season. Even more impressive is that these same two teams would accomplish this feat again the following year.

Contents

Playoff seeds

After the 1975–76 AHL regular season, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Nova Scotia Voyageurs finished the regular season with the best overall record. [3] The two division champions earned byes to the Division Finals. [1]

Northern Division

  1. Nova Scotia Voyageurs - 104 points
  2. Rochester Americans - 93 points
  3. Providence Reds - 76 points

Southern Division

  1. Hershey Bears - 84 points
  2. Richmond Robins - 66 points
  3. New Haven Nighthawks - 66 points

Bracket

Division Semifinals Division Finals Calder Cup Final
1 Nova Scotia 4
2 Rochester 32 Rochester 0
3 Providence 0 N1 Nova Scotia 4
S1 Hershey 1
1 Hershey 4
2 Richmond 32 Richmond 1
3 New Haven 0

In each round, the team that earned more points during the regular season receives home ice advantage, meaning they receive the "extra" game on home-ice if the series reaches the maximum number of games. There is no set series format due to arena scheduling conflicts and travel considerations. [4]

Division Semifinals

Note: Home team is listed first.

Byes

Northern Division

(2) Rochester Americans vs. (3) Providence Reds

April 4Rochester Americans5 - 3Providence Reds
April 7Providence Reds1 - 3Rochester Americans
April 9Rochester Americans6 - 4Providence Reds
Rochester won series 3 - 0

Southern Division

(2) Richmond Robins vs. (3) New Haven Nighthawks

April 3Richmond Robins4 - 1New Haven Nighthawks
April 4New Haven Nighthawks1 - 2OTRichmond Robins
April 7Richmond Robins4 - 1New Haven Nighthawks
Richmond won series 3 - 0

Division Finals

Northern Division

(1) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (2) Rochester Americans

April 12Nova Scotia Voyageurs6 - 2Rochester Americans
April 14Nova Scotia Voyageurs5 - 3Rochester Americans
April 16Rochester Americans1 - 5Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 18Rochester Americans3 - 6Nova Scotia Voyageurs
Nova Scotia won series 4 - 0

Southern Division

(1) Hershey Bears vs. (2) Richmond Robins

April 10Hershey Bears2 - 4Richmond Robins
April 11Richmond Robins3 - 4Hershey Bears
April 13Hershey Bears3 - 1Richmond Robins
April 16Richmond Robins5 - 7Hershey Bears
April 17Hershey Bears2 - 1Richmond Robins
Hershey won series 4 - 1

Calder Cup Final

(N1) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (S1) Hershey Bears

April 21Nova Scotia Voyageurs6 - 3Hershey Bears
April 23Nova Scotia Voyageurs8 - 2Hershey Bears
April 24Hershey Bears5 - 1Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 26Hershey Bears2 - 4Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 28Nova Scotia Voyageurs5 - 4OTHershey Bears
Nova Scotia won series 4 - 1

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati Swords</span> Former American ice hockey team

The Cincinnati Swords were an American Hockey League team that played at the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1971 to 1974. They were owned by and the affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Calder Cup playoffs</span>

The 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 18, 2007. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for division semifinals, finals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on June 7, 2007 with the Hamilton Bulldogs defeating the Hershey Bears four games to one to win the first Calder Cup in team history. This was a rematch of the 1997 Calder Cup Final, where Hershey defeated Hamilton in five games.

The 2003 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 9, 2003. Twenty teams, the top ten from each conference, qualified for the playoffs. The seventh-, eighth-, ninth-, and tenth-placed teams in each conference played best-of-three series in the qualifying round. The four winners, in addition to the other twelve teams that qualified, played best-of-five series for conference quarterfinals. The remaining 8 teams played best-of-seven series for conference semifinals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on June 12, 2003 with the Houston Aeros defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs four games to three to win the first Calder Cup in team history.

The 1997 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 18, 1997. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-five series for division semifinals and best-of-seven series for division finals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on June 13, 1997, with the Hershey Bears defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs four games to one to win the eighth Calder Cup in team history. Hershey's Mike McHugh won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

The 1995 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 12, 1995. The twelve teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-7 series for division semifinals and division finals. The highest remaining seed received a bye for the third round while the other two remaining teams played a best-of-3 series, with the winner advancing to play the bye-team in a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 26, 1995, with the Albany River Rats defeating the Fredericton Canadiens four games to zero to win the first Calder Cup in team history. Albany's Corey Schwab and Mike Dunham were co-winners of the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff co-MVPs. Coincidentally, the River Rats parent club, the New Jersey Devils won the Stanley Cup in a four-game sweep over the Detroit Red Wings, making them the second pair of teams in history to win both the AHL's Calder Cup and NHL's Stanley Cup in the same season.

The 1991 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 2, 1991. Ten teams, five from each division, qualified for the playoffs. The top three teams in each division received a bye for the preliminary round while the fourth- and fifth-placed teams in each division played a two-game series with the winners advancing to the Division Semifinals; if each team won one game, the series winner was decided in sudden-death "super overtime" immediately following Game 2. The eight remaining teams then played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 24, 1991, with the Springfield Indians defeating the Rochester Americans four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the second consecutive year, and the seventh and final time in team history. This was a rematch of the 1990 Calder Cup Final where Springfield defeated Rochester four games to two. Similarly, a Springfield goaltender—this time Kay Whitmore—won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.

The 1988 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 6, 1988. The eight teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 12, 1988, with the Hershey Bears defeating the Fredericton Express four games to zero to win the Calder Cup for the seventh time in team history. Hershey went an unprecedented 12-0 during their Calder Cup run, which also set an AHL record for most consecutive games won in one playoff. Hershey's Wendell Young won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

The 1987 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 8, 1987. The eight teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 23, 1987, with the Rochester Americans defeating the Sherbrooke Canadiens four games to three to win the Calder Cup for the fifth time in team history. Rochester's Dave Fenyves won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

The 1986 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 9, 1986. The eight teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 21, 1986, with the Adirondack Red Wings defeating the Hershey Bears four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the second time in team history. Hershey's Tim Tookey won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP, becoming the first player from the losing finalist to win the award.

The 1983 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 5, 1983. The eight teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 19, 1983, with the Rochester Americans defeating the Maine Mariners four games to zero to win the Calder Cup for the fourth time in team history.

The 1982 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 7, 1982. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-five series for Division Semifinals and best-of-seven series for Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 10, 1982, with the New Brunswick Hawks defeating the Binghamton Whalers four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the only time in team history.

The 1981 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 7, 1981. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 20, 1981, with the Adirondack Red Wings defeating the Maine Mariners four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the first time in team history.

The 1980 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 8, 1980. The playoff format was expanded from six to eight teams. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 17, 1980, with the Hershey Bears defeating the New Brunswick Hawks four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the sixth time in team history.

The 1979 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 11, 1979. The top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The two division winners earned byes for the Division Semifinals while the other two teams in each division played best-of-five series. The winners played best-of-seven series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 11, 1979, with the Maine Mariners defeating the New Haven Nighthawks four games to zero to win the Calder Cup for the second consecutive year, and the third time in team history. Maine also beat new Haven in the 1978 Calder Cup Final.

The 1978 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 11, 1978. The top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The two division winners earned byes for the Division Semifinals while the other two teams in each division played best-of-five series. The winners played best-of-seven series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 15, 1978, with the Maine Mariners defeating the New Haven Nighthawks four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the first time in team history.

The 1977 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 3, 1977. The top four teams in the league qualified for the playoffs and played best-of-seven series for Semifinals. The two winners played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on April 30, 1977, with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs defeating the Rochester Americans four games to two to win the Calder Cup for second consecutive year, and the third time in team history. For the second consecutive year, the Voyageurs parent club, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in a four-game sweep over the Boston Bruins, making them the only pair of teams in history to win both the AHL's Calder Cup and NHL's Stanley Cup in the same season twice.

The 1975 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 2, 1975. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 7, 1975, with the Springfield Indians defeating the New Haven Nighthawks four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the fourth time in team history.

The 1974 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 3, 1974. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 8, 1974, with the Hershey Bears defeating the Providence Reds four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the fifth time in team history.

The 1973 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 3, 1973. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 15, 1973, with the Cincinnati Swords defeating the Nova Scotia Voyageurs four games to one to win the only Calder Cup in team history.

The 1972 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 4, 1972. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 15, 1972, with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, in their inaugural season in Nova Scotia, defeating the Baltimore Clippers four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the first time in team history. The Voyageurs also became the first Canadian team to win the Calder Cup.

References

  1. 1 2 1976 AHL playoff results The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on May 11, 2008.
  2. Calder Cup champions Archived 2008-05-26 at the Wayback Machine caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 11, 2008.
  3. 1975–76 AHL standings The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on May 11, 2008.
  4. Frequently asked questions Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine theahl.com. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
Preceded by Calder Cup Playoffs
1976
Succeeded by