2003 Calder Cup playoffs
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 9 – June 12, 2003 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Houston Aeros |
| Runner-up | Hamilton Bulldogs |
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.[1] 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.[2]
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.[3][4] 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.[4] 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.[5] However, this record was eclipsed during the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.[6]
Playoff seeds
[edit]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.[7] Division champions were automatically ranked 1-3.
Eastern Conference
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]| Conference Qualifiers | Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | Calder Cup Final | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Hamilton | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Springfield | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Hamilton | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Manitoba | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Providence | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 0 | 9 | Manitoba | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Hamilton | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Springfield Falcons | 2 | Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Binghamton | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Binghamton | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Portland Pirates | 1 | 6 | Worcester | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Binghamton | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Manitoba Moose | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Bridgeport | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Manchester | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Bridgeport | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Hamilton | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| W2 | Houston | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Grand Rapids | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Grand Rapids | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Chicago | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Houston | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Milwaukee Admirals | 2 | 7 | Milwaukee | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Grand Rapids | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Rochester Americans | 1 | Western Conference | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Houston | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Norfolk | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2 | 6 | San Antonio | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Houston | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Utah Grizzlies | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Norfolk | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Chicago | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Hershey | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The 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.[8]
Conference Qualifiers
[edit]- 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
[edit](7) Hartford Wolf Pack vs. (10) Springfield Falcons
[edit]| April 9 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 1 – 3 | Springfield Falcons | Hartford Civic Center | ||||
| April 11 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 2 – 3 | Springfield Falcons | Hartford Civic Center | ||||
| Springfield won series 2 – 0 | |
(8) Portland Pirates vs. (9) Manitoba Moose
[edit]| April 10 | Portland Pirates | 1 – 4 | Manitoba Moose | Cumberland County Civic Center | ||||
| April 11 | Portland Pirates | 4 – 2 | Manitoba Moose | Cumberland County Civic Center | ||||
| April 13 | Portland Pirates | 3 – 6 | Manitoba Moose | Cumberland County Civic Center | ||||
| Manitoba won series 2 – 1 | |
Western Conference
[edit](7) Milwaukee Admirals vs. (10) Rochester Americans
[edit]| April 10 | Milwaukee Admirals | 4 – 3 | OT | Rochester Americans | Bradley Center | |||
| April 12 | Milwaukee Admirals | 1 – 6 | Rochester Americans | Bradley Center | ||||
| April 13 | Milwaukee Admirals | 6 – 1 | Rochester Americans | Bradley Center | ||||
| Milwaukee won series 2 – 1 | |
(8) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. (9) Utah Grizzlies
[edit]| April 10 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 5 – 2 | Utah Grizzlies | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| April 12 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2 – 1 | Utah Grizzlies | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won series 2 – 0 | |
Conference Quarterfinals
[edit]Eastern Conference
[edit](1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (10) Springfield Falcons
[edit]| April 15 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 4 – 0 | Springfield Falcons | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| April 17 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 7 – 6 | OT | Springfield Falcons | Copps Coliseum | |||
| April 18 | Springfield Falcons | 3 – 0 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Springfield Civic Center | ||||
| April 21 | Springfield Falcons | 1 – 2 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Springfield Civic Center | ||||
| Hamilton won series 3 – 1 | |
(2) Providence Bruins vs. (9) Manitoba Moose
[edit]| April 16 | Providence Bruins | 1 – 2 | 2OT | Manitoba Moose | Dunkin' Donuts Center | |||
| April 18 | Providence Bruins | 0 – 1 | Manitoba Moose | Dunkin' Donuts Center | ||||
| April 20 | Manitoba Moose | 0 – 1 | Providence Bruins | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| April 22 | Manitoba Moose | 3 – 2 | Providence Bruins | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| Manitoba won series 3 – 1 | |
(3) Binghamton Senators vs. (6) Worcester IceCats
[edit]| April 10 | Binghamton Senators | 3 – 2 | OT | Worcester IceCats | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | |||
| April 11 | Binghamton Senators | 4 – 2 | Worcester IceCats | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| April 18 | Worcester IceCats | 0 – 1 | Binghamton Senators | Worcester's Centrum Centre | ||||
| Binghamton won series 3 – 0 | |
(4) Manchester Monarchs vs. (5) Bridgeport Sound Tigers
[edit]| April 12 | Manchester Monarchs | 1 – 2 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Verizon Wireless Arena | ||||
| April 13 | Manchester Monarchs | 3 – 6 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Verizon Wireless Arena | ||||
| April 18 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 6 – 3 | Manchester Monarchs | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| Bridgeport won series 3 – 0 | |
Western Conference
[edit](1) Grand Rapids Griffins vs. (8) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
[edit]| April 16 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 3 – 1 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| April 18 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 2 – 1 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| April 19 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 6 – 2 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| April 21 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2 – 3 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| Grand Rapids won series 3 – 1 | |
(2) Houston Aeros vs. (7) Milwaukee Admirals
[edit]| April 16 | Houston Aeros | 3 – 2 | Milwaukee Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| April 18 | Houston Aeros | 4 – 2 | Milwaukee Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| April 19 | Milwaukee Admirals | 2 – 3 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| Houston won series 3 – 0 | |
(3) Norfolk Admirals vs. (6) San Antonio Rampage
[edit]| April 10 | Norfolk Admirals | 4 – 3 | OT | San Antonio Rampage | Norfolk Scope | |||
| April 11 | Norfolk Admirals | 2 – 1 | San Antonio Rampage | Norfolk Scope | ||||
| April 13 | San Antonio Rampage | 1 – 3 | Norfolk Admirals | AT&T Center | ||||
| Norfolk won series 3 – 0 | |
(4) Chicago Wolves vs. (5) Hershey Bears
[edit]| April 13 | Chicago Wolves | 3 – 2 | Hershey Bears | Allstate Arena | ||||
| April 16 | Chicago Wolves | 3 – 5 | Hershey Bears | Allstate Arena | ||||
| April 19 | Hershey Bears | 3 – 1 | Chicago Wolves | GIANT Center | ||||
| April 20 | Hershey Bears | 0 – 6 | Chicago Wolves | GIANT Center | ||||
| April 22 | Chicago Wolves | 3 – 2 | OT | Hershey Bears | Allstate Arena | |||
| Chicago won series 3 – 2 | |
Conference semifinals
[edit]Eastern Conference
[edit](1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (9) Manitoba Moose
[edit]| April 27 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 1 – 2 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| April 29 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 5 – 2 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 2 | Manitoba Moose | 1 – 2 | 2OT | Hamilton Bulldogs | Winnipeg Arena | |||
| May 4 | Manitoba Moose | 2 – 6 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| May 5 | Manitoba Moose | 3 – 1 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| May 8 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 3 – 4 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 11 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 3 – 2 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| Hamilton won series 4 – 3 | |
(3) Binghamton Senators vs. (5) Bridgeport Sound Tigers
[edit]| April 26 | Binghamton Senators | 2 – 1 | OT | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | |||
| April 27 | Binghamton Senators | 3 – 2 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| April 30 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 5 – 0 | Binghamton Senators | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| May 2 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 3 – 2 | Binghamton Senators | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| May 3 | Binghamton Senators | 3 – 0 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| May 5 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 1 – 2 | Binghamton Senators | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| Binghamton won series 4 – 2 | |
Western Conference
[edit](1) Grand Rapids Griffins vs. (4) Chicago Wolves
[edit]| April 28 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 4 – 3 | OT | Chicago Wolves | Van Andel Arena | |||
| April 29 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 3 – 1 | Chicago Wolves | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| May 1 | Chicago Wolves | 1 – 2 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Allstate Arena | ||||
| May 2 | Chicago Wolves | 0 – 2 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Allstate Arena | ||||
| Grand Rapids won series 4 – 0 | |
(2) Houston Aeros vs. (3) Norfolk Admirals
[edit]| April 26 | Houston Aeros | 5 – 4 | 2OT | Norfolk Admirals | Compaq Center | |||
| April 27 | Houston Aeros | 0 – 4 | Norfolk Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| April 30 | Norfolk Admirals | 3 – 2 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| May 2 | Norfolk Admirals | 2 – 3 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| May 4 | Norfolk Admirals | 1 – 4 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| May 7 | Houston Aeros | 3 – 1 | Norfolk Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| Houston won series 4 – 2 | |
Conference finals
[edit]Eastern Conference
[edit](1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (3) Binghamton Senators
[edit]| May 13 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 5 – 1 | Binghamton Senators | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 15 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2 – 1 | Binghamton Senators | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 19 | Binghamton Senators | 6 – 4 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| May 20 | Binghamton Senators | 3 – 6 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| May 22 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 8 – 3 | Binghamton Senators | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| Hamilton won series 4 – 1 | |
Western Conference
[edit](1) Grand Rapids Griffins vs. (2) Houston Aeros
[edit]| May 12 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 2 – 3 | OT | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | |||
| May 14 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 3 – 1 | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| May 16 | Houston Aeros | 2 – 1 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Compaq Center | ||||
| May 17 | Houston Aeros | 2 – 1 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Compaq Center | ||||
| May 19 | Houston Aeros | 4 – 5 | 2OT | Grand Rapids Griffins | Compaq Center | |||
| May 21 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 2 – 1 | OT | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | |||
| May 22 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 1 – 2 | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| Houston won series 4 – 3 | |
Calder Cup Final
[edit](E1) Hamilton Bulldogs vs. (W2) Houston Aeros
[edit]| May 28 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 1 – 2 | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 30 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2 – 1 | 4OT | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | |||
| June 4 | Houston Aeros | 2 – 4 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Compaq Center | ||||
| June 6 | Houston Aeros | 3 – 2 | OT | Hamilton Bulldogs | Compaq Center | |||
| June 7 | Houston Aeros | 6 – 4 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Compaq Center | ||||
| June 9 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2 – 1 | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| June 12 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 0 – 3 | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| Houston won series 4 – 3 | |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs caldercup.com. Retrieved on April 28, 2008
- ^ Calder Cup champions Archived 2008-05-26 at the Wayback Machine caldercup.com. Retrieved on April 28, 2008
- ^ Jack A. Butterfield Trophy Archived 2008-09-17 at the Wayback Machine AHL Hall of Fame. Retrieved on May 6, 2008
- ^ a b Calder Cup record book: Players caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008
- ^ Important dates in Hamilton Bulldogs history hamiltonbulldogs.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008
- ^ Phantoms win longest game in AHL history caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008
- ^ 2002-03 AHL Standings HockeyDB. Retrieved on April 28, 2008
- ^ Frequently asked questions Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine theahl.com. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.