1994 Murphy Cup playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 1994 Murphy Cup playoffs of Roller Hockey International
began in September, 1994, after the 1994 regular season
. The sixteen teams that qualified, four from each division (the winner of each of the four divisions plus the three teams with the highest point totals from the teams remaining in each division), play a best-of-three series, with the third game a one 12–minute period, for the division semifinals, finals, and conference finals, and then the conference champions will play a best-of-three series, with the third game a one 12–minute period, for the Murphy Cup. All eight teams to qualify in the Eastern Conference
were expansion teams, while all but two teams in the Western Conference
were original teams.
The Finals ended in September, 1994, with the Buffalo Stampede defeating the Portland Rage two games to none to win the championship. They became just the second team, after the 1993 Anaheim Bullfrogs
, to win the championship.
were the Eastern Conference
regular season champions and had the best overall record at 37 points. The Los Angeles Blades
had the best record in the Western Conference
with 36 points.
The Buffalo Stampede entered the playoffs as the first seed in the Atlantic Division after winning the division with 34 points. The New Jersey Rockin Rollers earned the fourth seed with 23 points.
The Stampede swept the Rockin Rollers, 2 games to 0.
The Montreal Roadrunners entered the playoffs as the second seed in the Atlantic Division with 26 points. The Philadelphia Bulldogs earned the third seed with 24 points.
The Roadrunners swept the Bulldogs, 2 games to 0.
Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International was a professional inline hockey league that operated in North America from 1993 to 1999. It was the first major professional league for inline hockey....
began in September, 1994, after the 1994 regular season
1994 RHI season
The 1994 RHI season was the 2nd season of Roller Hockey International. It began on June 4, 1994, with the regular season ending in August. The Murphy Cup playoffs ended in September, with the Buffalo Stampede defeating the Portland Rage to win their first Murphy Cup...
. The sixteen teams that qualified, four from each division (the winner of each of the four divisions plus the three teams with the highest point totals from the teams remaining in each division), play a best-of-three series, with the third game a one 12–minute period, for the division semifinals, finals, and conference finals, and then the conference champions will play a best-of-three series, with the third game a one 12–minute period, for the Murphy Cup. All eight teams to qualify in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (RHI)
The Eastern Conference was one of two conferences in Roller Hockey International used to divide teams. Its counterpart was the Western Conference....
were expansion teams, while all but two teams in the Western Conference
Western Conference (RHI)
The Western Conference was one of two conferences in Roller Hockey International used to divide teams. Its counterpart was the Eastern Conference....
were original teams.
The Finals ended in September, 1994, with the Buffalo Stampede defeating the Portland Rage two games to none to win the championship. They became just the second team, after the 1993 Anaheim Bullfrogs
Anaheim Bullfrogs
The Anaheim Bullfrogs were a professional inline hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Bullfrogs played in Roller Hockey International and Major League Roller Hockey before returning to Roller Hockey international . The Bullfrogs played their home games in the Arrowhead Pond of...
, to win the championship.
Playoff seeds
After the regular season, 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The Minnesota Arctic BlastMinnesota Arctic Blast
The Minnesota Arctic Blast were a professional roller hockey team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States that played in Roller Hockey International....
were the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (RHI)
The Eastern Conference was one of two conferences in Roller Hockey International used to divide teams. Its counterpart was the Western Conference....
regular season champions and had the best overall record at 37 points. The Los Angeles Blades
Los Angeles Blades
The Los Angeles Blades were a professional inline hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. The Blades played in Roller Hockey International from 1993-1997 and played their home games at the Great Western Forum....
had the best record in the Western Conference
Western Conference (RHI)
The Western Conference was one of two conferences in Roller Hockey International used to divide teams. Its counterpart was the Eastern Conference....
with 36 points.
Atlantic Division
- Buffalo Stampede – Atlantic DivisionAtlantic Division (RHI)RHI's Atlantic Division was formed in 1994 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Murphy Division.-1994:*Buffalo Stampede*Florida Hammerheads*Montreal Roadrunners*New Jersey Rockin Rollers...
champions, 34 points - Montreal RoadrunnersMontreal RoadrunnersThe Montreal Roadrunners played from 1994 to 1997 in the Roller Hockey International. Their home games were at the Montreal Forum and the Molson Centre...
– 26 points - Philadelphia BulldogsPhiladelphia BulldogsThe Philadelphia Bulldogs were an inline hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of Roller Hockey International . They were part of the 1994 RHI Expansion.-See also:...
– 24 points - New Jersey Rockin RollersNew Jersey Rockin RollersThe New Jersey Rockin Rollers were a professional roller hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States that played in Roller Hockey International. In 1997 they were coached by legendary roller hockey guru Bob Antolos....
– 23 points
Central Division
- Minnesota Arctic BlastMinnesota Arctic BlastThe Minnesota Arctic Blast were a professional roller hockey team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States that played in Roller Hockey International....
– Central DivisionCentral Division (RHI)Roller Hockey International’s Central Division was formed in 1994 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Murphy Division.-1994:*Atlanta Fire Ants*Chicago Cheetahs*Minnesota Arctic Blast...
and Eastern Conference regular season champions; Best Overall Record winners, 37 points - Pittsburgh Phantoms – 26 points
- Chicago CheetahsChicago CheetahsThe Chicago Cheetahs were a professional roller hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States that played in Roller Hockey International. The Cheetahs joined the league in 1994. The Cheetahs were part-owned by basketball legend George Mikan...
– 24 points - Atlanta Fire Ants – 22 points
Northwest Division
- Vancouver VoodooVancouver VoodooThe Vancouver Voodoo were a roller hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada which played in the RHI league. The Voodoo were one of the original twelve teams to join the league in 1993. They played in the PNE Agrodome in 1993 and 1994, the Pacific Coliseum in 1994 and 1995, and in...
– Northwest DivisionNorthwest Division (RHI)RHI's Northwest Division was formed in 1994 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the King Division.-1994:*Calgary Rad'z*Edmonton Sled Dogs*Phoenix Cobras*Portland Rage*Sacramento River Rats...
champions, 31 points - Calgary Rad'zCalgary Rad'zThe Calgary Rad'z were a professional inline hockey team that played two seasons in the Roller Hockey International in 1993 and 1994. The Rad'z were a founding member of the RHI. The Rad'z began play in the Olympic Saddledome, but moved to the much smaller Max Bell Arena midway through their...
– 26 points - Phoenix CobrasPhoenix CobrasThe Phoenix Cobras were a professional roller hockey team based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States that played in Roller Hockey International....
– 24 points - Portland Rage – 23 points
Pacific Division
- Los Angeles BladesLos Angeles BladesThe Los Angeles Blades were a professional inline hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. The Blades played in Roller Hockey International from 1993-1997 and played their home games at the Great Western Forum....
– Pacific DivisionPacific Division (RHI)RHI's Pacific Division was formed in 1994 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Buss Division.-1994:*Anaheim Bullfrogs*Las Vegas Flash*Los Angeles Blades*Oakland Skates*San Diego Barracudas...
and Western Conference regular season champions, 36 points - San Jose RhinosSan Jose RhinosThe San Jose Rhinos were an inline hockey team in Roller Hockey International from 1994-97. In its second year, the team won the Murphy Cup with a victory over the Montreal Roadrunners in the championship game. The team played its home games at the San Jose Arena....
– 28 points - Anaheim BullfrogsAnaheim BullfrogsThe Anaheim Bullfrogs were a professional inline hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Bullfrogs played in Roller Hockey International and Major League Roller Hockey before returning to Roller Hockey international . The Bullfrogs played their home games in the Arrowhead Pond of...
– 27 points - San Diego BarracudasSan Diego BarracudasThe San Diego Barracudas were a southern Californian professional inline hockey team which existed from 1993 through 1996. The Barracudas were a part of Roller Hockey International. The team's home games were played at the San Diego Sports Arena...
– 22 points
Playoff bracket
In the first two rounds, the highest seed in each division is matched against the lowest remaining seed, with the two division finals winners in each conference matched against each other in the conference finals. The higher-seeded team is awarded home floor advantage, which gives them a possible maximum of two games on their home floor, with the lower-seeded team getting one. In the Murphy Cup Finals, home floor is determined based on regular season points. Thus, the Buffalo Stampede had home floor advantage in the Murphy Cup Finals. Each best-of-three series, with the third game a one 12–minute period, followed a 1–2 format. This means that the lower-seeded team had home floor for game 1, while the higher-seeded team had home floor for game 2, and if necessary, the 12–minute game 3.(1) Buffalo Stampede vs. (4) New Jersey Rockin Rollers
The Buffalo Stampede entered the playoffs as the first seed in the Atlantic Division after winning the division with 34 points. The New Jersey Rockin Rollers earned the fourth seed with 23 points.
The Stampede swept the Rockin Rollers, 2 games to 0.
(2) Montreal Roadrunners vs. (3) Philadelphia Bulldogs
The Montreal Roadrunners entered the playoffs as the second seed in the Atlantic Division with 26 points. The Philadelphia Bulldogs earned the third seed with 24 points.
The Roadrunners swept the Bulldogs, 2 games to 0.