1981 Calder Cup playoffs

Last updated

1981 Calder Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 7–May 20, 1981
Teams8
Final positions
Champions Adirondack Red Wings
Runner-up Maine Mariners
  1980
1982  

The 1981 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 7, 1981. [1] 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. [2]

Contents

Maine set an AHL record for the most goals allowed in one playoff with 81. [3] What makes this more notable is that the AHL playoffs now consist of four rounds of best-of-7 series, whereas Maine set this record in only 20 games—where the playoffs consisted of only three rounds of best-of-7 series. [1] [4]

Playoff seeds

After the 1980–81 AHL regular season, the top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Hershey Bears finished the regular season with the best overall record. [5]

Northern Division

  1. Maine Mariners - 97 points
  2. New Brunswick Hawks - 84 points
  3. Nova Scotia Voyageurs - 81 points
  4. Springfield Indians - 73 points

Southern Division

  1. Hershey Bears - 103 points
  2. Adirondack Red Wings - 75 points
  3. Binghamton Whalers - 70 points
  4. New Haven Nighthawks - 69 points

Bracket

Division Semifinals Division Finals Calder Cup Final
         
1 Maine 4
4 Springfield 3
1 Maine 4
Northern Division
2 New Brunswick 3
2 New Brunswick 4
3 Nova Scotia 2
N1 Maine 2
S2 Adirondack 4
1 Hershey 4
4 New Haven 0
1 Hershey 2
Southern Division
2 Adirondack 4
2 Adirondack 4
3 Binghamton 2

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. [6]

Division Semifinals

Note 1: Home team is listed first.
Note 2: The number of overtime periods played (where applicable) is not indicated

Northern Division

(1) Maine Mariners vs. (4) Springfield Indians

April 8Maine Mariners3 - 1Springfield Indians
April 10Maine Mariners7 - 2Springfield Indians
April 12Springfield Indians7 - 4Maine Mariners
April 15Springfield Indians10 - 3Maine Mariners
April 17Maine Mariners6 - 2Springfield Indians
April 18Springfield Indians9 - 2Maine Mariners
April 22Maine Mariners7 - 3Springfield Indians
Maine won series 4 - 3

(2) New Brunswick Hawks vs. (3) Nova Scotia Voyageurs

April 7New Brunswick Hawks3 - 2Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 9New Brunswick Hawks5 - 3Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 11Nova Scotia Voyageurs3 - 6New Brunswick Hawks
April 12Nova Scotia Voyageurs4 - 2New Brunswick Hawks
April 15New Brunswick Hawks0 - 3Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 17Nova Scotia Voyageurs1 - 2New Brunswick Hawks
New Brunswick won series 4 - 2

Southern Division

(1) Hershey Bears vs. (4) New Haven Nighthawks

April 8Hershey Bears6 - 1New Haven Nighthawks
April 10New Haven Nighthawks2 - 6Hershey Bears
April 11Hershey Bears8 - 1New Haven Nighthawks
April 14New Haven Nighthawks2 - 3OTHershey Bears
Hershey won series 4 - 0

(2) Adirondack Red Wings vs. (3) Binghamton Whalers

April 7Adirondack Red Wings3 - 5Binghamton Whalers
April 8Adirondack Red Wings6 - 3Binghamton Whalers
April 11Binghamton Whalers3 - 2Adirondack Red Wings
April 14Binghamton Whalers4 - 5Adirondack Red Wings
April 17Adirondack Red Wings3 - 1Binghamton Whalers
April 18Binghamton Whalers5 - 6OTAdirondack Red Wings
Adirondack won series 4 - 2

Division Finals

Northern Division

(1) Maine Mariners vs. (2) New Brunswick Hawks

April 25Maine Mariners4 - 1New Brunswick Hawks
April 27Maine Mariners4 - 5OTNew Brunswick Hawks
April 29New Brunswick Hawks2 - 3OTMaine Mariners
May 1New Brunswick Hawks6 - 2Maine Mariners
May 3Maine Mariners5 - 4OTNew Brunswick Hawks
May 6New Brunswick Hawks7 - 1Maine Mariners
May 8Maine Mariners4 - 3OTNew Brunswick Hawks
Maine won series 4 - 3

Southern Division

(1) Hershey Bears vs. (2) Adirondack Red Wings

April 22Hershey Bears9 - 5Adirondack Red Wings
April 25Hershey Bears4 - 5Adirondack Red Wings
April 28Adirondack Red Wings0 - 1Hershey Bears
April 30Adirondack Red Wings7 - 4Hershey Bears
May 2Hershey Bears3 - 6Adirondack Red Wings
May 3Adirondack Red Wings6 - 3Hershey Bears
Adirondack won series 4 - 2

Calder Cup Final

(N1) Maine Mariners vs. (S2) Adirondack Red Wings

May 11Maine Mariners3 - 2Adirondack Red Wings
May 13Maine Mariners3 - 4Adirondack Red Wings
May 14Adirondack Red Wings1 - 0Maine Mariners
May 16Adirondack Red Wings1 - 10Maine Mariners
May 18Maine Mariners4 - 6Adirondack Red Wings
May 20Adirondack Red Wings5 - 2Maine Mariners
Adirondack won series 4 - 2

See also

Related Research Articles

<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 1999 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 21, 1999. 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, 1999, with the Providence Bruins defeating the Rochester Americans four games to one to win the first Calder Cup in team history. Providence's Peter Ferraro won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

The 1998 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 14, 1998. 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 10, 1998, with the Philadelphia Phantoms defeating the Saint John Flames four games to two to win the first Calder Cup in team history. Philadelphia's Mike Maneluk won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the AHL playoff MVP.

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 1994 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 13, 1994. The twelve teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-seven 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-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 29, 1994, with the Portland Pirates defeating the Moncton Hawks four games to two to win the first Calder Cup in team history. Portland's Olaf Kolzig won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

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 1989 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 4, 1989. 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 16, 1989, with the Adirondack Red Wings defeating the New Haven Nighthawks four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the third time in team history. Adirondack's Sam St. Laurent won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

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 1985 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 10, 1985. 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 24, 1985, with the Sherbrooke Canadiens defeating the Baltimore Skipjacks four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the only time in team history. Sherbrooke's Brian Skrudland won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

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 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 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 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 1981 AHL playoff results The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on May 10, 2008.
  2. Calder Cup champions Archived 2008-05-26 at the Wayback Machine caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 10, 2008.
  3. Calder Cup record book: Teams caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 10, 2008.
  4. 2007 Calder Cup playoffs caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 10, 2008.
  5. 1980-81 AHL standings The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on May 10, 2008.
  6. Frequently asked questions Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine theahl.com. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
Preceded by Calder Cup playoffs
1981
Succeeded by