1997 Calder Cup playoffs

North American ice hockey tournament

1997 Calder Cup playoffsTournament details

Dates| April 18 – June 13, 1997
Teams| 16
Final positions
Champions| Hershey Bears
Runner-up| Hamilton Bulldogs

<- 1996

1998 ->

The 1997 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 18, 1997.[1] The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-five series for division semifinals and best-of-seven series for division finals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on June 13, 1997, with the Hershey Bears defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs four games to one to win the eighth Calder Cup in team history.[2] Hershey's Mike McHugh won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.[3]

Hershey set an AHL playoff record by scoring 35 powerplay goals during the 1997 Calder Cup playoffs. Furthermore, Game 2 of the Mid-Atlantic Division final between Hershey and Philadelphia set an AHL playoff record for the most penalty minutes in one game by both teams with 350 (Hershey, 179; Philadelphia, 171).[4] In addition, Hershey's Jean-François Labbé set an AHL playoff record for goaltenders by playing in 23 games in one playoff.[5]

## Playoff seeds

[edit]

After the 1996–97 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 Southern Conference regular season champions and also had the best overall regular season record. The Rochester Americans were the Northern Conference regular season champions.[6]

### Northern Conference

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#### Canadian Division

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1. St. John's Maple Leafs – 88 points
2. Saint John Flames – 72 points
3. Hamilton Bulldogs – 69 points

#### Empire State Division

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1. Rochester Americans – Northern Conference regular season champions, 90 points
2. Adirondack Red Wings – 90 points
3. Albany River Rats – 90 points
4. Syracuse Crunch – 74 points
5. Binghamton Rangers – 69 points (Played in the Canadian Division bracket by virtue of earning more points than the fourth-placed team in that division)

### Southern Conference

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#### New England Division

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1. Worcester IceCats – 100 points
2. Springfield Falcons – 96 points
3. Portland Pirates – 91 points
4. Providence Bruins – 75 points

#### Mid-Atlantic Division

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1. Philadelphia Phantoms – Southern Conference regular season champions; Best overall regular season record, 111 points
2. Hershey Bears – 101 points
3. Kentucky Thoroughblades – 81 points
4. Baltimore Bandits – 73 points

## Bracket

[edit]

| Division Semifinals | | | Division Finals | | | Conference Finals | | | Calder Cup Final |

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|  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| C1 | St. John's | 3 | | | |
| E5 | Binghamton | 1 |
| | C1 | St. John's | 3 |
| Canadian Division |
| | | C3 | Hamilton | 4 |
| C2 | Saint John | 2 |

| C3 | Hamilton | 3 |
| | C3 | Hamilton | 4 |
| Northern Conference |
| | | E3 | Albany | 1 |
| E1 | Rochester | 3 | |

| E4 | Syracuse | 0 |
| | E1 | Rochester | 3 |
| Empire State Division |
| | | E3 | Albany | 4 |
| E2 | Adirondack | 1 |

| E3 | Albany | 3 |
| | C3 | Hamilton | 1 |
|  |
| | | M2 | Hershey | 4 |
| N1 | Worcester | 2 | | |

| N4 | Providence | 3 |
| | N4 | Providence | 1 |
| New England Division |
| | | N2 | Springfield | 4 |
| N2 | Springfield | 3 |

| N3 | Portland | 2 |
| | N2 | Springfield | 3 |
| Southern Conference |
| | | M2 | Hershey | 4 |
| M1 | Philadelphia | 3 | |

| M4 | Baltimore | 0 |
| | M1 | Philadelphia | 3 |
| Mid-Atlantic Division |
| | | M2 | Hershey | 4 |
| M2 | Hershey | 3 |

| M3 | Kentucky | 1 |

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.[7]

## Division Semifinals

[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.

### Northern Conference

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#### Canadian Division

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##### (C1) St. John's Maple Leafs vs. (E5) Binghamton Rangers

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April 18  | St. John's Maple Leafs |  | 5 – 2 |  | Binghamton Rangers  | Memorial Stadium |

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April 20  | St. John's Maple Leafs  |  | 2 – 3 |  | Binghamton Rangers | Memorial Stadium |

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April 23  | Binghamton Rangers  |  | 2 – 3 |  | St. John's Maple Leafs | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena |

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April 25  | Binghamton Rangers  |  | 2 – 4 |  | St. John's Maple Leafs | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena |

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St. John's won series 3 – 1 |

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##### (C2) Saint John Flames vs. (C3) Hamilton Bulldogs

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April 18  | Saint John Flames  |  | 4 – 5 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs | Harbour Station |

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April 20  | Saint John Flames |  | 3 – 2 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs  | Harbour Station |

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April 23  | Hamilton Bulldogs |  | 2 – 1 |  | Saint John Flames  | Copps Coliseum |

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April 25  | Hamilton Bulldogs  |  | 4 – 5 | OT | Saint John Flames | Copps Coliseum |

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April 28  | Saint John Flames  |  | 1 – 3 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs | Harbour Station |

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Hamilton won series 3 – 2 |

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#### Empire State Division

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##### (E1) Rochester Americans vs. (E4) Syracuse Crunch

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April 18  | Rochester Americans |  | 7 – 4 |  | Syracuse Crunch  | Rochester Community War Memorial |

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April 19  | Rochester Americans |  | 6 – 2 |  | Syracuse Crunch  | Rochester Community War Memorial |

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April 23  | Syracuse Crunch  |  | 2 – 3 |  | Rochester Americans | Onondaga War Memorial |

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Rochester won series 3 – 0 |

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##### (E2) Adirondack Red Wings vs. (E3) Albany River Rats

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April 19  | Albany River Rats |  | 2 – 0 |  | Adirondack Red Wings  | Pepsi Arena |

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April 20  | Albany River Rats  |  | 2 – 3 |  | Adirondack Red Wings | Pepsi Arena |

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April 22  | Adirondack Red Wings |  | 7 – 3 |  | Albany River Rats  | Glens Falls Civic Center |

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April 24  | Adirondack Red Wings |  | 4 – 1 |  | Albany River Rats  | Glens Falls Civic Center |

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Albany won series 3 – 1 |

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### Southern Conference

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#### New England Division

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##### (N1) Worcester IceCats vs. (N4) Providence Bruins

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April 18  | Worcester IceCats |  | 5 – 4 |  | Providence Bruins  | Worcester Centrum |

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April 19  | Providence Bruins  |  | 4 – 5 |  | Worcester IceCats | Providence Civic Center |

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April 23  | Worcester IceCats  |  | 2 – 4 |  | Providence Bruins | Worcester Centrum |

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April 24  | Providence Bruins |  | 5 – 4 | 2OT | Worcester IceCats  | Providence Civic Center |

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April 26  | Worcester IceCats  |  | 2 – 3 |  | Providence Bruins | Worcester Centrum |

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Providence won series 3 – 2 |

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##### (N2) Springfield Falcons vs. (N3) Portland Pirates

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April 18  | Springfield Falcons  |  | 3 – 4 |  | Portland Pirates | Springfield Civic Center |

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April 19  | Portland Pirates |  | 5 – 2 |  | Springfield Falcons  | Cumberland County Civic Center |

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April 23  | Springfield Falcons |  | 3 – 2 | OT | Portland Pirates  | Springfield Civic Center |

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April 26  | Portland Pirates  |  | 3 – 4 |  | Springfield Falcons | Cumberland County Civic Center |

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April 27  | Springfield Falcons |  | 1 – 0 | OT | Portland Pirates  | Springfield Civic Center |

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Springfield won series 3 – 2 |

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#### Mid-Atlantic Division

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##### (M1) Philadelphia Phantoms vs. (M4) Baltimore Bandits

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April 19  | Philadelphia Phantoms |  | 4 – 2 |  | Baltimore Bandits  | CoreStates Center[1] |

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April 20  | Philadelphia Phantoms |  | 7 – 1 |  | Baltimore Bandits  | CoreStates Center[1] |

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April 23  | Baltimore Bandits  |  | 2 – 4 |  | Philadelphia Phantoms | Baltimore Arena |

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Philadelphia won series 3 – 0 |

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

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April 18  | Hershey Bears |  | 4 – 3 | 2OT | Kentucky Thoroughblades  | Hersheypark Arena |

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April 21  | Hershey Bears |  | 3 – 0 |  | Kentucky Thoroughblades  | Hersheypark Arena |

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April 23  | Kentucky Thoroughblades |  | 4 – 2 |  | Hershey Bears  | Rupp Arena |

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April 25  | Kentucky Thoroughblades  |  | 2 – 5 |  | Hershey Bears | Rupp Arena |

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Hershey won series 3 – 1 |

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## Division Finals

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### Northern Conference

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#### Canadian Division

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##### (C1) St. John's Maple Leafs vs. (C3) Hamilton Bulldogs

[edit]

May 1  | Hamilton Bulldogs |  | 3 – 2 |  | St. John's Maple Leafs  | Copps Coliseum |

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May 3  | Hamilton Bulldogs  |  | 2 – 4 |  | St. John's Maple Leafs | Copps Coliseum |

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May 5  | St. John's Maple Leafs |  | 3 – 1 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs  | Memorial Stadium |

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May 7  | St. John's Maple Leafs  |  | 3 – 4 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs | Memorial Stadium |

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May 9  | St. John's Maple Leafs |  | 5 – 2 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs  | Memorial Stadium |

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May 11  | Hamilton Bulldogs |  | 4 – 3 | OT | St. John's Maple Leafs  | Copps Coliseum |

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May 13  | St. John's Maple Leafs  |  | 0 – 3 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs | Memorial Stadium |

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Hamilton won series 4 – 3 |

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#### Empire State Division

[edit]

##### (E1) Rochester Americans vs. (E3) Albany River Rats

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April 30  | Rochester Americans  |  | 2 – 3 | OT | Albany River Rats | Rochester Community War Memorial |

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May 2  | Rochester Americans  |  | 3 – 5 |  | Albany River Rats | Rochester Community War Memorial |

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May 4  | Albany River Rats  |  | 2 – 5 |  | Rochester Americans | Pepsi Arena |

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May 7  | Albany River Rats |  | 3 – 2 | OT | Rochester Americans  | Pepsi Arena |

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May 9  | Rochester Americans |  | 4 – 2 |  | Albany River Rats  | Rochester Community War Memorial |

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May 11  | Albany River Rats  |  | 2 – 6 |  | Rochester Americans | Pepsi Arena |

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May 14  | Rochester Americans  |  | 2 – 6 |  | Albany River Rats | Rochester Community War Memorial |

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Albany won series 4 – 3 |

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### Southern Conference

[edit]

#### New England Division

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##### (N2) Springfield Falcons vs. (N4) Providence Bruins

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May 2  | Springfield Falcons |  | 4 – 1 |  | Providence Bruins  | Springfield Civic Center |

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May 3  | Springfield Falcons |  | 2 – 0 |  | Providence Bruins  | Springfield Civic Center |

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May 6  | Providence Bruins  |  | 3 – 4 | OT | Springfield Falcons | Providence Civic Center |

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May 9  | Providence Bruins |  | 2 – 1 |  | Springfield Falcons  | Providence Civic Center |

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May 10  | Springfield Falcons |  | 3 – 1 |  | Providence Bruins  | Springfield Civic Center |

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Springfield won series 4 – 1 |

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#### Mid-Atlantic Division

[edit]

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

[edit]

May 1  | Philadelphia Phantoms  |  | 3 – 5 |  | Hershey Bears | CoreStates Spectrum |

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May 3  | Philadelphia Phantoms |  | 7 – 4 |  | Hershey Bears  | CoreStates Spectrum |

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May 4  | Hershey Bears |  | 4 – 2 |  | Philadelphia Phantoms  | Hersheypark Arena |

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May 7  | Hershey Bears  |  | 2 – 3 | OT | Philadelphia Phantoms | Hersheypark Arena |

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May 10  | Philadelphia Phantoms |  | 3 – 0 |  | Hershey Bears  | CoreStates Spectrum |

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May 11  | Hershey Bears |  | 3 – 2 | 3OT | Philadelphia Phantoms  | Hersheypark Arena |

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May 14  | Philadelphia Phantoms  |  | 2 – 3 |  | Hershey Bears | CoreStates Spectrum |

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Hershey won series 4 – 3 |

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## Conference finals

[edit]

### Northern Conference

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#### (E3) Albany River Rats vs. (C3) Hamilton Bulldogs

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May 17  | Albany River Rats  |  | 1 – 2 | OT | Hamilton Bulldogs | Pepsi Arena |

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May 20  | Albany River Rats  |  | 3 – 4 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs | Pepsi Arena |

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May 23  | Hamilton Bulldogs |  | 2 – 0 |  | Albany River Rats  | Copps Coliseum |

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May 25  | Hamilton Bulldogs  |  | 3 – 5 |  | Albany River Rats | Copps Coliseum |

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May 27  | Hamilton Bulldogs |  | 7 – 3 |  | Albany River Rats  | Copps Coliseum |

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Hamilton won series 4 – 1 |

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### Southern Conference

[edit]

#### (M2) Hershey Bears vs. (N2) Springfield Falcons

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May 18  | Hershey Bears  |  | 2 – 6 |  | Springfield Falcons | Hersheypark Arena |

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May 19  | Hershey Bears  |  | 3 – 5 |  | Springfield Falcons | Hersheypark Arena |

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May 21  | Springfield Falcons  |  | 3 – 4 | OT | Hershey Bears | Springfield Civic Center |

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May 23  | Springfield Falcons |  | 4 – 3 |  | Hershey Bears  | Springfield Civic Center |

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May 24  | Springfield Falcons  |  | 1 – 4 |  | Hershey Bears | Springfield Civic Center |

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May 29  | Hershey Bears |  | 4 – 1 |  | Springfield Falcons  | Hersheypark Arena |

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May 31  | Hershey Bears |  | 3 – 1 |  | Springfield Falcons  | Hersheypark Arena |

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Hershey won series 4 – 3 |

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## Calder Cup Final

[edit]

### (M2) Hershey Bears vs. (C3) Hamilton Bulldogs

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June 4  | Hershey Bears |  | 4 – 2 |  | Hamilton Bulldogs  | Hersheypark Arena |

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June 7  | Hershey Bears |  | 6 – 5 | OT | Hamilton Bulldogs  | Hersheypark Arena |

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June 9  | Hamilton Bulldogs |  | 2 – 1 |  | Hershey Bears  | Copps Coliseum |

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June 11  | Hamilton Bulldogs  |  | 2 – 4 |  | Hershey Bears | Copps Coliseum |

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June 13  | Hamilton Bulldogs  |  | 1 – 4 |  | Hershey Bears | Copps Coliseum |

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Hershey won series 4 – 1 |

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## See also

[edit]

* 1996–97 AHL season
* List of AHL seasons

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b 1997 Calder Cup Playoffs caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 2, 2008.
2. ^ Calder Cup Finals open tonight Archived 2006-11-12 at the Wayback Machine, caldercup.com, June 2, 2006. Retrieved on May 2, 2008.
3. ^ Jack A. Butterfield Trophy Archived 2008-09-17 at the Wayback Machine ahlhalloffame.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008.
4. ^ Calder Cup record book: Teams caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008.
5. ^ Calder Cup record book: Players caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008.
6. ^ 1996-97 AHL Standings The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on May 2, 2008.
7. ^ Frequently asked questions Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine theahl.com. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.

Preceded by

1996 Calder Cup playoffs

|  Calder Cup playoffs
1997  | Succeeded by

1998 Calder Cup playoffs

|
|

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