2003 Calder Cup Playoffs

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-3 series in the qualifying round. The four winners, in addition to the other twelve teams that qualified, played best-of-5 series for conference quarterfinals. The remaining 8 teams played best-of-7 series for conference semifinals and conference finals. [http://www.caldercup.com/pagebank/index.html?id=22 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs] "caldercup.com". Retrieved on April 28, 2008] The conference champions played a best-of-7 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. [ [http://www.caldercup.com/cup/past/ Calder Cup champions] "caldercup.com". Retrieved on April 28, 2008]

Houston's Johan Holmqvist won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP and also set a record for most minutes played by a goaltender in a single playoff with 1498. [ [http://www.ahlhalloffame.com/pagebank/index.html?id=146 Jack A. Butterfield Trophy] "AHL Hall of Fame". Retrieved on May 6, 2008] [http://www.caldercup.com/cup/individual/ Calder Cup record book: Players] "caldercup.com". Retrieved on May 6, 2008] Jarret Stoll of the Hamilton Bulldogs set an AHL playoff record for the fastest goal from the start of a period by scoring 4 seconds into the 3rd period on May 22, 2003 against Binghamton. Hamilton's Michael Ryder ended the longest game in AHL history when he scored at 14:56 of the fourth overtime in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Final. [ [http://www.hamiltonbulldogs.com/index.php?module=page&id=44 Important dates in Hamilton Bulldogs history] "hamiltonbulldogs.com". Retrieved on May 6, 2008] . However, this record was eclipsed during the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs. [ [http://www.caldercup.com/news/caldernews/index.html?article_id=162 Phantoms win longest game in AHL history] "caldercup.com". Retrieved on May 6, 2008]

Playoff seeds

After the 2002–03 AHL regular season, 20 teams qualified for the playoffs. The top ten teams from each conference qualified for the playoffs. The Hamilton Bulldogs were the Eastern Conference regular season champions as well as the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners with the best overall regular season record. The Grand Rapids Griffins were the Western Conference regular season champions. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ahl19412003.html 2002-03 AHL Standings] "HockeyDB". Retrieved on April 28, 2008] Division champions were automatically ranked 1-3.

Eastern Conference

#Hamilton Bulldogs - Canadian Division and Eastern Conference regular season champions; Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners, 110 points
#Providence Bruins - North Division champions, 104 points
#Binghamton Senators - East Division champions, 97 points
#Manchester Monarchs - 97 points
#Bridgeport Sound Tigers - 94 points
#Worcester IceCats - 88 points
#Hartford Wolf Pack - 86 points
#Portland Pirates - 85 points
#Manitoba Moose - 84 points
#Springfield Falcons - 76 points

Western Conference

#Grand Rapids Griffins - Central Division and Western Conference regular season champions, 106 points
#Houston Aeros - West Division champions, 104 points
#Norfolk Admirals - South Division champions, 91 points
#Chicago Wolves - 98 points
#Hershey Bears - 89 points
#San Antonio Rampage - 87 points
#Milwaukee Admirals - 85 points
#Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - 84 points
#Utah Grizzlies - 83 points
#Rochester Americans - 81 points

Bracket

NHLBracket | RD1= Conference Quarterfinals
RD2= Conference Semifinals
RD3= Conference Finals
RD4= Calder Cup Final
group1= Eastern Conference
group2= Western Conference

RD1-seed01=1
RD1-team01=Hamilton
RD1-score01=3
RD1-seed02=10
RD1-team02=Springfield
RD1-score02=1

RD1-seed03=2
RD1-team03=Providence
RD1-score03=1
RD1-seed04=9
RD1-team04=Manitoba
RD1-score04=3

RD1-seed05=3
RD1-team05=Binghamton
RD1-score05=3
RD1-seed06=6
RD1-team06=Worcester
RD1-score06=0

RD1-seed07=4
RD1-team07=Manchester
RD1-score07=0
RD1-seed08=5
RD1-team08=Bridgeport
RD1-score08=3

RD1-seed09=1
RD1-team09=Grand Rapids
RD1-score09=3
RD1-seed10=8
RD1-team10=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
RD1-score10=1

RD1-seed11=2
RD1-team11=Houston
RD1-score11=3
RD1-seed12=7
RD1-team12=Milwaukee
RD1-score12=0

RD1-seed13=3
RD1-team13=Norfolk
RD1-score13=3
RD1-seed14=6
RD1-team14=San Antonio
RD1-score14=0

RD1-seed15=4
RD1-team15=Chicago
RD1-score15=3
RD1-seed16=5
RD1-team16=Hershey
RD1-score16=2

RD2-seed01=1
RD2-team01=Hamilton
RD2-score01=4
RD2-seed02=9
RD2-team02=Manitoba
RD2-score02=3

RD2-seed03=3
RD2-team03=Binghamton
RD2-score03=4
RD2-seed04=5
RD2-team04=Bridgeport
RD2-score04=2

RD2-seed05=1
RD2-team05=Grand Rapids
RD2-score05=4
RD2-seed06=4
RD2-team06=Chicago
RD2-score06=0

RD2-seed07=2
RD2-team07=Houston
RD2-score07=4
RD2-seed08=3
RD2-team08=Norfolk
RD2-score08=2

RD3-seed01=1
RD3-team01=Hamilton
RD3-score01=4
RD3-seed02=3
RD3-team02=Binghamton
RD3-score02=1

RD3-seed03=1
RD3-team03=Grand Rapids
RD3-score03=3
RD3-seed04=2
RD3-team04=Houston
RD3-score04=4

RD4-seed01=E1
RD4-team01=Hamilton
RD4-score01=3
RD4-seed02=W2
RD4-team02=Houston
RD4-score02=4The top 6 teams in each conference receive byes to the Conference Quarterfinals. In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. In the qualification round, all games are played at the arena of the higher seed. In each round the higher seed 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 for each series after the Qualification Round due to arena scheduling conflicts and travel considerations. [ [http://www.theahl.com/theahl/faqs/ Frequently asked questions] "theahl.com". Retrieved on May 12, 2008.]

Conference Qualifiers

:Note 1: "All times are in Eastern Time (UTC-4).":Note 2: "Game times in italics signify games to be played only if necessary.":Note 3: "Home team is listed first."

Eastern Conference

(7) Hartford Wolf Pack vs. (10) Springfield Falcons

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hartford Wolf Pack
team2=Springfield Falcons
stadium1=Hartford Civic Center
stadium2=Springfield Civic Center
date1=April 9
score1=1 - 3
won1=2
date2=April 11
score2=2 - 3
won2=2
series=Springfield won series 2 – 0

(8) Portland Pirates vs. (9) Manitoba Moose

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Portland Pirates
team2=Manitoba Moose
stadium1=Cumberland County Civic Center
stadium2=Winnipeg Arena
date1=April 10
score1=1 - 4
won1=2
date2=April 11
score2=4 - 2
won2=1
date3=April 13
score3=3 - 6
home3=1
won3=2
series=Manitoba won series 2 – 1

Western Conference

(7) Milwaukee Admirals vs. (10) Rochester Americans

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Milwaukee Admirals
team2=Rochester Americans
stadium1=Bradley Center
stadium2=
date1=April 10
score1=4 - 3
ot1=OT
won1=1
date2=April 12
score2=1 - 6
won2=2
date3=April 13
home3=1
score3=6 - 1
won3=1
series=Milwaukee won series 2 – 1

(8) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. (9) Utah Grizzlies

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
team2=Utah Grizzlies
stadium1=Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
stadium2=E Center
date1=April 10
score1=5 - 2
won1=1
date2=April 12
score2=2 - 1
won2=1
series=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won series 2 – 0

Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference

(1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (10) Springfield Falcons

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hamilton Bulldogs
team2=Springfield Falcons
stadium1=Copps Coliseum
stadium2=Springfield Civic Center
date1=April 15
score1=4 - 0
won1=1
date2=April 17
score2=7 - 6
ot2=OT
won2=1
date3=April 18
score3=3 - 0
won3=2
date4=April 21
score4=1 - 2
won4=1
series=Hamilton won series 3 – 1

(2) Providence Bruins vs. (9) Manitoba Moose

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Providence Bruins
team2=Manitoba Moose
stadium1=Dunkin' Donuts Center
stadium2=Winnipeg Arena
date1=April 16
score1=1 - 2
ot1=2OT
won1=2
date2=April 18
score2=0 - 1
won2=2
date3=April 20
score3=0 - 1
won3=1
date4=April 22
score4=3 - 2
won4=2
series=Manitoba won series 3 – 1

(3) Binghamton Senators vs. (6) Worcester IceCats

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Binghamton Senators
team2=Worcester IceCats
stadium1=Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena
stadium2=Worcester's Centrum Centre
date1=April 10
score1=3 - 2
ot1=OT
won1=1
date2=April 11
score2=4 - 2
won2=1
date3=April 18
score3=0 - 1
won3=1
series=Binghamton won series 3 – 0

(4) Manchester Monarchs vs. (5) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Manchester Monarchs
team2=Bridgeport Sound Tigers
stadium1=Verizon Wireless Arena
stadium2=Arena at Harbor Yard
date1=April 12
score1=1 - 2
won1=2
date2=April 13
score2=3 - 6
won2=2
date3=April 18
score3=6 - 3
won3=2
series=Bridgeport won series 3 - 0

Western Conference

(1) Grand Rapids Griffins vs. (8) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Grand Rapids Griffins
team2=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
stadium1=Van Andel Arena
stadium2=Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
date1=April 16
score1=3 - 1
won1=1
date2=April 18
score2=2 - 1
won2=1
date3=April 19
score3=6 - 2
won3=2
date4=April 21
score4=2 - 3
won4=1
series=Grand Rapids won series 3 - 1

(2) Houston Aeros vs. (7) Milwaukee Admirals

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Houston Aeros
team2=Milwaukee Admirals
stadium1=Compaq Center
stadium2=Bradley Center
date1=April 16
score1=3 - 2
won1=1
date2=April 18
score2=4 - 2
won2=1
date3=April 19
score3=2 - 3
won3=1
series=Houston won series 3 - 0

(3) Norfolk Admirals vs. (6) San Antonio Rampage

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Norfolk Admirals
team2=San Antonio Rampage
stadium1=Norfolk Scope
stadium2=AT&T Center
date1=April 10
score1=4 - 3
ot1=OT
won1=1
date2=April 11
score2=2 - 1
won2=1
date3=April 13
score3=1 - 3
won3=1
series=Norfolk won series 3 - 0

(4) Chicago Wolves vs. (5) Hershey Bears

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Chicago Wolves
team2=Hershey Bears
stadium1=Allstate Arena
stadium2=GIANT Center
date1=April 13
score1=3 - 2
won1=1
date2=April 16
score2=3 - 5
won2=2
date3=April 19
score3=3 - 1
won3=2
date4=April 20
score4=0 - 6
won4=1
date5=April 22
score5=3 - 2
ot5=OT
won5=1
series=Chicago won series 3 - 2

Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

(1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (9) Manitoba Moose

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hamilton Bulldogs
team2=Manitoba Moose
stadium1=Copps Coliseum
stadium2=Winnipeg Arena
date1=April 27
score1=1 - 2
won1=2
date2=April 29
score2=5 - 2
won2=1
date3=May 2
score3=1 - 2
ot3=2OT
won3=1
date4=May 4
score4=2 - 6
won4=1
date5=May 5
home5=2
score5=3 - 1
won5=2
date6=May 8
home6=1
score6=3 - 4
won6=2
date7=May 11
score7=3 - 2
won7=1
series=Hamilton won series 4 - 3

(3) Binghamton Senators vs. (5) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Binghamton Senators
team2=Bridgeport Sound Tigers
stadium1=Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena
stadium2=Arena at Harbor Yard
date1=April 26
score1=2 - 1
ot1=OT
won1=1
date2=April 27
score2=3 - 2
won2=1
date3=April 30
score3=5 - 0
won3=2
date4=May 2
score4=3 - 2
won4=2
date5=May 3
score5=3 - 0
won5=1
date6=May 5
score6=1 - 2
won6=1
series=Binghamton won series 4 - 2

Western Conference

(1) Grand Rapids Griffins vs. (4) Chicago Wolves

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Grand Rapids Griffins
team2=Chicago Wolves
stadium1=Van Andel Arena
stadium2=Allstate Arena
date1=April 28
score1=4 - 3
ot1=OT
won1=1
date2=April 29
score2=3 - 1
won2=1
date3=May 1
score3=1 - 2
won3=1
date4=May 2
score4=0 - 2
won4=1
series=Grand Rapids won series 4 - 0

(2) Houston Aeros vs. (3) Norfolk Admirals

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Houston Aeros
team2=Norfolk Admirals
stadium1=Compaq Center
stadium2=Bradley Center
date1=April 26
score1=5 - 4
ot1=2OT
won1=1
date2=April 27
score2=0 - 4
won2=2
date3=April 30
score3=3 - 2
won3=2
date4=May 2
score4=2 - 3
won4=1
date5=May 4
home5=2
score5=1 - 4
won5=1
date6=May 7
home6=1
score6=3 - 1
won6=1
series=Houston won series 4 - 2

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

(1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (3) Binghamton Senators

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hamilton Bulldogs
team2=Binghamton Senators
stadium1=Copps Coliseum
stadium2=Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena
date1=May 13
score1=5 - 1
won1=1
date2=May 15
score2=2 - 1
won2=1
date3=May 19
score3=6 - 4
won3=2
date4=May 20
score4=3 - 6
won4=1
date5=May 22
score5=8 - 3
won5=1
series=Hamilton won series 4 - 1

Western Conference

(1) Grand Rapids Griffins vs. (2) Houston Aeros

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Grand Rapids Griffins
team2=Houston Aeros
stadium1=Van Andel Arena
stadium2=Compaq Center
date1=May 12
score1=2 - 3
ot1=OT
won1=2
date2=May 14
score2=3 - 1
won2=1
date3=May 16
score3=2 - 1
won3=2
date4=May 17
score4=2 - 1
won4=2
date5=May 19
home5=2
score5=4 - 5
ot5=2OT
won5=1
date6=May 21
home6=1
score6=2 - 1
ot6=OT
won6=1
date7=May 22
score7=1 - 2
won7=2
series=Houston won series 4 - 3

Calder Cup Final

(E1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (W2) Houston Aeros

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hamilton Bulldogs
team2=Houston Aeros
stadium1=Copps Coliseum
stadium2=Compaq Center
date1=May 28
score1=1 - 2
won1=2
date2=May 30
score2=2 - 1
ot2=4OT
won2=1
date3=June 4
score3=2 - 4
won3=1
date4=June 6
score4=3 - 2
ot4=OT
won4=2
date5=June 7
home5=2
score5=6 - 4
won5=2
date6=June 9
home6=1
score6=2 - 1
won6=1
date7=June 12
score7=0 - 3
won7=2
series=Houston won series 4 - 3

ee also

*2002–03 AHL season
*List of AHL seasons

References