1998 Calder Cup Playoffs

The 1998 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 14, 1998. [http://www.caldercup.com/pagebank/index.html?id=1690 1998 Calder Cup Playoffs] "caldercup.com". Retrieved on May 2, 2008.] The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-5 series for division semifinals and best-of-7 series for division finals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-7 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. [ [http://www.phantomshockey.com/history/timeline.asp Philadelphia Phantoms history timeline] "phantomshockey.com". Retrieved on May 2, 2008.] Philadelphia's Mike Maneluk won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the AHL playoff MVP. [ [http://www.ahlhalloffame.com/pagebank/index.html?id=146 Jack A. Butterfield Trophy] "ahlhalloffame.com" Retrieved on May 6, 2008.]

The Philadelphia Phantoms set an AHL playoff record by winning 9 road games in one playoff year. [ [http://www.caldercup.com/cup/teamrec/ Calder Cup record book: Teams] "caldercup.com". Retrieved on May 6, 2008.]

Playoff seeds

After the 1997-98 AHL regular season, 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. However, due to the uneven number of teams in the each conference, it was possible for the fifth-placed team in the five team divisions to crossover to the playoffs for the four team divisions. This could only happen if the fifth-placed team in a five team division earned more points than the fourth-placed team in the four team division in the same conference. In this case, the fifth-placed team from the five team division would play in place of the fourth-placed team from the four team division in that part of the playoff bracket. The Philadelphia Phantoms were the Western Conference regular season champions as well as the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners with the best overall regular season record. The Springfield Falcons were the Eastern Conference regular season champions. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ahl19411998.html 1997-98 AHL Standings] "The Internet Hockey Database". Retrieved on May 2, 2008.]

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

#Saint John Flames - 99 points
#Fredericton Canadiens - 81 points
#Portland Pirates - 80 points
#St. John's Maple Leafs - 73 points

New England Division

#Springfield Falcons - Eastern Conference regular season champions, 99 points
#Hartford Wolf Pack - 99 points
#Beast of New Haven - 85 points
#Worcester IceCats - 83 points

Western Conference

Empire Division

#Albany River Rats - 103 points
#Hamilton Bulldogs - 94 points
#Syracuse Crunch - 83 points
#Adirondack Red Wings - 74 points
#Rochester Americans - 72 points "(Played in the Mid-Atlantic Division bracket by virtue of earning more points than the fourth-placed team in that division)"

Mid-Atlantic Division

#Philadelphia Phantoms - Western Conference regular season champions; Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners, 106 points
#Hershey Bears - 85 points
#Kentucky Thoroughblades - 70 points

Bracket

16TeamBracket | RD1=Division Semifinals
RD2=Division Finals
RD3=Conference Finals
RD4=Calder Cup Final
group1=Eastern Conference
group2=Western Conference
subgroup1=Atlantic Division
subgroup2=New England Division
subgroup3=Empire Division
subgroup4=Mid-Atlantic Division

RD1-seed01=A1
RD1-team01=Saint John
RD1-seed02=A4
RD1-team02=St. John's
RD1-score01=3
RD1-score02=1

RD1-seed03=A2
RD1-team03=Fredericton
RD1-seed04=A3
RD1-team04=Portland
RD1-score03=1
RD1-score04=3

RD1-seed05=N1
RD1-team05=Springfield
RD1-seed06=N4
RD1-team06=Worcester
RD1-score05=1
RD1-score06=3

RD1-seed07=N2
RD1-team07=Hartford
RD1-seed08=N3
RD1-team08=New Haven
RD1-score07=3
RD1-score08=0

RD1-seed09=E1
RD1-team09=Albany
RD1-seed10=E4
RD1-team10=Adirondack
RD1-score09=3
RD1-score10=0

RD1-seed11=E2
RD1-team11=Hamilton
RD1-seed12=E3
RD1-team12=Syracuse
RD1-score11=3
RD1-score12=2

RD1-seed13=M1
RD1-team13=Philadelphia
RD1-seed14=E5
RD1-team14=Rochester
RD1-score13=3
RD1-score14=1

RD1-seed15=M2
RD1-team15=Hershey
RD1-seed16=M3
RD1-team16=Kentucky
RD1-score15=3
RD1-score16=0

RD2-seed01=A1
RD2-team01=Saint John
RD2-seed02=A3
RD2-team02=Portland
RD2-score01=4
RD2-score02=2

RD2-seed03=N4
RD2-team03=Worcester
RD2-seed04=N2
RD2-team04=Hartford
RD2-score03=3
RD2-score04=4

RD2-seed05=E1
RD2-team05=Albany
RD2-seed06=E3
RD2-team06=Hamilton
RD2-score05=4
RD2-score06=0

RD2-seed07=M1
RD2-team07=Philadelphia
RD2-seed08=M2
RD2-team08=Hershey
RD2-score07=4
RD2-score08=0

RD3-seed01=A1
RD3-team01=Saint John
RD3-seed02=N2
RD3-team02=Hartford
RD3-score01=4
RD3-score02=1

RD3-seed03=E1
RD3-team03=Albany
RD3-seed04=M1
RD3-team04=Philadelphia
RD3-score03=2
RD3-score04=4

RD4-seed01=A1
RD4-team01=Saint John
RD4-seed02=M1
RD4-team02=Philadelphia
RD4-score01=2
RD4-score02=4In 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. [ [http://www.theahl.com/theahl/faqs/ Frequently asked questions] "theahl.com". Retrieved on May 12, 2008.]

Division Semifinals

: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

Atlantic Division

(A1) Saint John Flames vs. (A4) St. John's Maple Leafs

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Saint John Flames
team2=St. John's Maple Leafs
stadium1=Harbour Station
stadium2=Memorial Stadium
date1=April 16
score1=4 - 3
won1=1
date2=April 18
score2=2 - 1
ot2=OT
won2=1
date3=April 21
score3=3 - 1
won3=2
date4=April 23
score4=1 - 3
won4=1
series=Saint John won series 3 – 1

(A2) Fredericton Canadiens vs. (A3) Portland Pirates

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Fredericton Canadiens
team2=Portland Pirates
stadium1=Aitken Centre
stadium2=Cumberland County Civic Center
date1=April 17
score1=3 - 4
won1=2
date2=April 19
score2=2 - 4
won2=2
date3=April 23
score3=3 - 6
won3=1
date4=April 24
score4=3 - 1
won4=2
series=Portland won series 3 - 1

New England Division

(N1) Springfield Falcons vs. (N4) Worcester IceCats

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Springfield Falcons
team2=Worcester IceCats
stadium1=Springfield Civic Center
stadium2=Worcester's Centrum Centre
date1=April 14
score1=3 - 5
won1=2
date2=April 19
home2=2
score2=3 - 2
ot2=OT
won2=2
date3=April 21
home3=1
score3=5 - 2
won3=1
date4=April 24
score4=5 - 2
won4=2
series=Springfield won series 3 – 1

(N2) Hartford Wolf Pack vs. (N3) Beast of New Haven

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hartford Wolf Pack
team2=Beast of New Haven
stadium1=Hartford Civic Center
stadium2=New Haven Coliseum
date1=April 17
score1=7 - 4
won1=1
date2=April 18
score2=6 - 4
won2=1
date3=April 22
score3=2 - 3
won3=1
series=Hartford won series 3 - 0

Western Conference

Empire Division

(E1) Albany River Rats vs. (E4) Adirondack Red Wings

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Albany River Rats
team2=Adirondack Red Wings
stadium1=Pepsi Arena
stadium2=Glens Falls Civic Center
date1=April 17
score1=6 - 3
won1=1
date2=April 18
score2=2 - 0
won2=1
date3=April 21
score3=2 - 3
ot3=OT
won3=1
series=Albany won series 3 - 0

(E2) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (E3) Syracuse Crunch

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hamilton Bulldogs
team2=Syracuse Crunch
stadium1=Copps Coliseum
stadium2=Onondaga War Memorial
date1=April 17
score1=2 - 5
won1=2
date2=April 19
score2=2 - 1
won2=1
date3=April 22
score3=3 - 0
won3=2
date4=April 23
score4=3 - 4
won4=1
date5=May 25
score5=2 - 1
won5=1
series=Hamilton won series 3 - 2

Mid-Atlantic Division

(M1) Philadelphia Phantoms vs. (E5) Rochester Americans

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Philadelphia Phantoms
team2=Rochester Americans
stadium1=CoreStates Center
stadium2=Rochester Community War Memorial
date1=April 14
score1=5 - 2
won1=1
date2=April 16
score2=2 - 5
won2=2
date3=April 18
score3=2 - 5
won3=1
date4=April 19
score4=3 - 6
won4=1
series=Philadelphia won series 3 - 1

(M2) Hershey Bears vs. (M3) Kentucky Thoroughblades

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hershey Bears
team2=Kentucky Thoroughblades
stadium1=Hersheypark Arena
stadium2=Rupp Arena
date1=April 15
score1=2 - 1
won1=1
date2=April 17
score2=2 - 1
won2=1
date3=April 22
score3=3 - 10
won3=1
series=Hershey won series 3 - 0

Division Finals

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

(A1) Saint John Flames vs. (A3) Portland Pirates

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Saint John Flames
team2=Portland Pirates
stadium1=Harbour Station
stadium2=Cumberland County Civic Center
date1=April 28
score1=7 - 1
won1=1
date2=April 30
score2=5 - 4
ot2=OT
won2=1
date3=May 3
score3=3 - 1
won3=2
date4=May 5
score4=4 - 5
won4=1
date5=May 7
score5=1 - 3
won5=2
date6=May 9
score6=1 - 2
won6=1
series=Saint John won series 4 - 2

New England Division

(N2) Hartford Wolf Pack vs. (N4) Worcester IceCats

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Hartford Wolf Pack
team2=Worcester Ice Cats
stadium1=Hartford Civic Center
stadium2=Worcester's Centrum Centre
date1=April 29
score1=5 - 2
won1=1
date2=May 1
score2=5 - 1
won2=1
date3=May 2
score3=6 - 3
won3=2
date4=May 5
score4=7 - 1
won4=2
date5=May 10
score5=1 - 4
won5=2
date6=May 12
score6=1 - 4
won6=1
date7=May 13
score7=8 - 2
won7=1
series=Hartford won series 4 - 3

Western Conference

Empire Division

(E1) Albany River Rats vs. (E2) Hamilton Bulldogs

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Albany River Rats
team2=Hamilton Bulldogs
stadium1=Pepsi Arena
stadium2=Copps Coliseum
date1=May 1
score1=6 - 5
ot1=OT
won1=1
date2=May 3
score2=3 - 1
won2=1
date3=May 6
score3=5 - 6
ot3=OT
won3=1
date4=May 8
score4=2 - 6
won4=1
series=Albany won series 4 - 0

Mid-Atlantic Division

(M1) Philadelphia Phantoms vs. (M2) Hershey Bears

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Philadelphia Phantoms
team2=Hershey Bears
stadium1=CoreStates Center
stadium2=Hersheypark Arena
date1=April 26
score1=3 - 2
won1=1
date2=April 29
score2=5 - 3
won2=1
date3=May 2
score3=2 - 4
won3=1
date4=May 3
score4=0 - 3
won4=1
series=Philadelphia won series 4 - 0

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

(N2) Hartford Wolf Pack vs. (A1) Saint John Flames

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Saint John Flames
team2=Hartford Wolf Pack
stadium1=Harbour Station
stadium2=Hartford Civic Center
date1=May 16
score1=5 - 4
won1=1
date2=May 18
score2=1 - 6
won2=2
date3=May 20
score3=2 - 5
won3=1
date4=May 22
score4=3 - 4
won4=1
date5=May 24
home5=2
score5=3 - 7
won5=1
series=Saint John won series 4 - 1

Western Conference

(M1) Philadelphia Phantoms vs. (E1) Albany River Rats

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Philadelphia Phantoms
team2=Albany River Rats
stadium1=CoreStates Spectrum
stadium2=Pepsi Arena
date1=May 15
score1=4 - 2
won1=1
date2=May 17
score2=1 - 2
won2=2
date3=May 20
score3=0 - 2
won3=1
date4=May 22
score4=3 - 7
won4=1
date5=May 23
score5=3 - 4
won5=2
date6=May 25
score6=0 - 3
won6=1
series=Philadelphia won series 4 - 2

Calder Cup Final

(M1) Philadelphia Phantoms vs. (A1) Saint John Flames

NHLPlayoffs
team1=Philadelphia Phantoms
team2=Saint John Flames
stadium1=CoreStates Spectrum
stadium2=Harbour Station
date1=May 30
score1=3 - 2
ot1=2OT
won1=1
date2=May 31
score2=2 - 3
ot2=OT
won2=2
date3=June 3
score3=3 - 4
ot3=OT
won3=1
date4=June 5
score4=4 - 6
won4=1
date5=June 7
home5=2
score5=6 - 1
won5=2
date6=June 10
home6=1
score6=6 - 1
won6=1
series=Philadelphia won series 4 - 2

ee also

*1997–98 AHL season
*List of AHL seasons

References