1978 Calder Cup Playoffs
Encyclopedia
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-5 series. The winners played best-of-7 series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-7 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 second time in team history.
, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Maine Mariners
finished the regular season with the best overall record. The two division champions earned byes to the Division Finals.
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National 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-5 series. The winners played best-of-7 series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 15, 1978 with the Maine Mariners
Maine Mariners
The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
defeating the New Haven Nighthawks
New Haven Nighthawks
The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the second time in team history.
Playoff seeds
After the 1977–78 AHL regular season1977–78 AHL season
The 1977–78 AHL season was the 42nd season of the American Hockey League. The season was in jeopardy when the last of the original eight franchises of the "International-American Hockey League", the Rhode Island Reds folded in the offseason, and the AHL was left with five teams...
, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Maine Mariners
Maine Mariners
The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
finished the regular season with the best overall record. The two division champions earned byes to the Division Finals.
Northern Division
- Maine MarinersMaine MarinersThe Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
- 95 points - Nova Scotia VoyageursNova Scotia VoyageursThe Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
- 90 points - Springfield IndiansSpringfield IndiansThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
- 87 points
Southern Division
- Rochester AmericansRochester AmericansThe Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
- 93 points - New Haven NighthawksNew Haven NighthawksThe New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
- 87 points - Philadelphia Firebirds - 81 points
Bracket
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.Byes
- Maine Mariners (Northern Division regular-season champions)
- Rochester Americans (Southern Division regular-season champions)