The 1978 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 11, 1978.[1] The top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The two division winners earned byes for the Division Semifinals while the other two teams in each division played best-of-five series. The winners played best-of-seven series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 15, 1978, with the Maine Mariners defeating the New Haven Nighthawks four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the first time in team history.[2]
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After the 1977–78 AHL regular season, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Maine Mariners finished the regular season with the best overall record.[3] The two division champions earned byes to the Division Finals.[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.[4]
- Note: Home team is listed first.
Byes
- Maine Mariners (Northern Division regular-season champions)
- Rochester Americans (Southern Division regular-season champions)
Northern Division
(2) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (3) Springfield Indians
April 12 |
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
0 - 2 |
|
Springfield Indians |
|
|
April 14 |
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
3 - 2 |
|
Springfield Indians |
|
|
April 15 |
Springfield Indians |
|
4 - 5 |
|
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
|
April 17 |
Springfield Indians |
|
1 - 2 |
|
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
|
Nova Scotia won series 3 - 1 |
|
|
|
Southern Division
(2) New Haven Nighthawks vs. (3) Philadelphia Firebirds
April 11 |
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
6 - 3 |
|
Philadelphia Firebirds |
|
|
April 13 |
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
7 - 1 |
|
Philadelphia Firebirds |
|
|
April 14 |
Philadelphia Firebirds |
|
4 - 1 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
April 16 |
Philadelphia Firebirds |
|
2 - 5 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
New Haven won series 3 - 1 |
|
|
|
Northern Division
(1) Maine Mariners vs. (2) Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 20 |
Maine Mariners |
|
7 - 5 |
|
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
|
April 23 |
Maine Mariners |
|
5 - 7 |
|
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
|
April 26 |
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
6 - 4 |
|
Maine Mariners |
|
|
April 28 |
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
0 - 3 |
|
Maine Mariners |
|
|
April 30 |
Maine Mariners |
|
4 - 2 |
|
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
|
May 1 |
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
7 - 1 |
|
Maine Mariners |
|
|
May 3 |
Maine Mariners |
|
2 - 1 |
|
Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
|
|
Southern Division
(1) Rochester Americans vs. (2) New Haven Nighthawks
April 19 |
Rochester Americans |
|
6 - 1 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
April 20 |
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
2 - 1 |
|
Rochester Americans |
|
|
April 23 |
Rochester Americans |
|
7 - 4 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
April 25 |
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
4 - 3 |
|
Rochester Americans |
|
|
April 26 |
Rochester Americans |
|
3 - 4 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
April 28 |
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
2 - 1 |
|
Rochester Americans |
|
|
New Haven won series 4 - 2 |
|
|
|
(N1) Maine Mariners vs. (S2) New Haven Nighthawks
May 5 |
Maine Mariners |
|
2 - 5 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
May 7 |
Maine Mariners |
|
4 - 1 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
May 12 |
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
4 - 8 |
|
Maine Mariners |
|
|
May 14 |
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
2 - 3 |
|
Maine Mariners |
|
|
May 15 |
Maine Mariners |
|
5 - 4 |
|
New Haven Nighthawks |
|
|
Preceded by |
Calder Cup playoffs 1978 |
Succeeded by |