2002 Calder Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 9–June 3, 2002
Teams16
Defending championsSaint John Flames (did not qualify)
Final positions
ChampionsChicago Wolves
Runner-upBridgeport Sound Tigers
← 2001
2003 →

The 2002 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 9, 2002. 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 3, 2002 with the Chicago Wolves defeating the Bridgeport Sound Tigers four games to one to win the first Calder Cup in team history.[2]

Chicago's Pasi Nurminen won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.[3] Teammate Rob Brown recorded 26 assists, tying an AHL playoff record.[4] The Chicago Wolves as a team also set three AHL playoff records during their Calder Cup run by playing 25 games, winning 17 games in one playoff, and winning 12 home games in one playoff.[5]

Playoff seeds

After the 2001–02 AHL regular season, 20 teams qualified for the playoffs. The top ten teams from each conference qualified for the playoffs. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers were the Eastern Conference regular season champions as well as the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners with the best overall regular season record. The Syracuse Crunch were the Western Conference regular season champions.[6] Division champions were automatically ranked 1-3.

Eastern Conference

  1. Bridgeport Sound Tigers – East Division and Eastern Conference regular season champions; Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners, 98 points
  2. Lowell Lock Monsters – North Division champions, 96 points
  3. Quebec Citadelles – Canadian Division champions, 88 points
  4. Hartford Wolf Pack – 95 points
  5. Manchester Monarchs – 90 points
  6. Hamilton Bulldogs – 87 points
  7. St. John's Maple Leafs – 87 points
  8. Worcester IceCats – 86 points
  9. Manitoba Moose – 86 points
  10. Providence Bruins – 82 points

Western Conference

  1. Syracuse Crunch – Central Division and Western Conference regular season champions, 96 points
  2. Grand Rapids Griffins – West Division champions, 95 points
  3. Norfolk Admirals – South Division champions, 92 points
  4. Houston Aeros – 93 points
  5. Utah Grizzlies – 91 points
  6. Hershey Bears – 89 points
  7. Chicago Wolves – 86 points
  8. Philadelphia Phantoms – 86 points
  9. Rochester Americans – 82 points
  10. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks – 80 points

Bracket

Conference QualifiersConference QuarterfinalsConference SemifinalsConference FinalsCalder Cup Final
1Bridgeport3
9Manitoba1
1Bridgeport4
7St. John's0
2Lowell2
7St. John's27St. John's3
1Bridgeport4
10Providence0
Eastern Conference
6Hamilton3
3Quebec0
8Worcester16Hamilton3
4Hartford1
9Manitoba2
6Hamilton4
4Hartford3
5Manchester2
E1Bridgeport1
W7Chicago4
1Syracuse3
8Philadelphia0
1Syracuse3
7Chicago4
2Grand Rapids2
7Chicago27Chicago3
4Houston1
10Cincinnati1
Western Conference
7Chicago4
3Norfolk1
8Philadelphia26Hershey3
4Houston4
9Rochester0
6Hershey0
4Houston3
5Utah2

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.[7]

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) St. John's Maple Leafs vs. (10) Providence Bruins

April 10 St. John's Maple Leafs 3 – 11 Providence Bruins
April 11 St. John's Maple Leafs 4 – 12 Providence Bruins
St. John's won series 2 – 0


1 – at Toronto[1]
2 – at Brampton, Ontario[1]

(8) Worcester IceCats vs. (9) Manitoba Moose

April 9 Worcester IceCats 2 – 3 Manitoba Moose Worcester's Centrum Centre
April 10 Worcester IceCats 4 – 2 Manitoba Moose Worcester's Centrum Centre
April 11 Worcester IceCats 2 – 3 2OT Manitoba Moose Worcester's Centrum Centre
Manitoba won series 2 – 1


Western Conference

(7) Chicago Wolves vs. (10) Cincinnati Mighty Ducks

April 9 Chicago Wolves 2 – 3 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Allstate Arena
April 10 Chicago Wolves 3 – 2 2OT Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Allstate Arena
April 11 Chicago Wolves 3 – 2 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Allstate Arena
Chicago won series 2 – 1


(8) Philadelphia Phantoms vs. (9) Rochester Americans

April 9 Philadelphia Phantoms 4 – 2 Rochester Americans First Union Spectrum
April 11 Philadelphia Phantoms 3 – 2 Rochester Americans First Union Spectrum
Philadelphia won series 2 – 0


Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference

(1) Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. (9) Manitoba Moose

April 14 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5 – 0 Manitoba Moose Arena at Harbor Yard
April 16 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4 – 1 Manitoba Moose Arena at Harbor Yard
April 18 Manitoba Moose 6 – 2 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Winnipeg Arena
April 19 Manitoba Moose 0 – 2 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Winnipeg Arena
Bridgeport won series 3 – 1


(2) Lowell Lock Monsters vs. (7) St. John's Maple Leafs

April 14 Lowell Lock Monsters 3 – 2 St. John's Maple Leafs Tsongas Arena
April 16 Lowell Lock Monsters 4 – 1 St. John's Maple Leafs Tsongas Arena
April 18 St. John's Maple Leafs 6 – 4 Lowell Lock Monsters Mile One Stadium
April 20 St. John's Maple Leafs 2 – 0 Lowell Lock Monsters Mile One Stadium
April 23 Lowell Lock Monsters 0 – 3 St. John's Maple Leafs Tsongas Arena
St. John's won series 3 – 2


(3) Quebec Citadelles vs. (6) Hamilton Bulldogs

April 13 Quebec Citadelles 3 – 4 OT Hamilton Bulldogs Colisée Pepsi
April 15 Quebec Citadelles 1 – 3 Hamilton Bulldogs Colisée Pepsi
April 17 Hamilton Bulldogs 6 – 5 OT Quebec Citadelles Copps Coliseum
Hamilton won series 3 – 0


(4) Hartford Wolf Pack vs. (5) Manchester Monarchs

April 13 Hartford Wolf Pack 5 – 3 Manchester Monarchs Hartford Civic Center
April 14 Hartford Wolf Pack 3 – 4 Manchester Monarchs Hartford Civic Center
April 17 Manchester Monarchs 6 – 2 Hartford Wolf Pack Verizon Wireless Arena
April 19 Manchester Monarchs 1 – 3 Hartford Wolf Pack Verizon Wireless Arena
April 20 Hartford Wolf Pack 3 – 2 2OT Manchester Monarchs Hartford Civic Center
Hartford won series 3 – 2


Western Conference

(1) Syracuse Crunch vs. (8) Philadelphia Phantoms

April 13 Syracuse Crunch 5 – 3 Philadelphia Phantoms War Memorial at Oncenter
April 17 Syracuse Crunch 4 – 1 Philadelphia Phantoms War Memorial at Oncenter
April 21 Philadelphia Phantoms 1 – 3 Syracuse Crunch First Union Center[1]
Syracuse won series 3 – 0


(2) Grand Rapids Griffins vs. (7) Chicago Wolves

April 13 Grand Rapids Griffins 4 – 1 Chicago Wolves Van Andel Arena
April 15 Grand Rapids Griffins 1 – 5 Chicago Wolves Van Andel Arena
April 17 Chicago Wolves 2 – 1 Grand Rapids Griffins Allstate Arena
April 19 Chicago Wolves 0 – 3 Grand Rapids Griffins Allstate Arena
April 21 Grand Rapids Griffins 2 – 4 Chicago Wolves Van Andel Arena
Chicago won series 3 – 2


(3) Norfolk Admirals vs. (6) Hershey Bears

April 12 Norfolk Admirals 4 – 1 Hershey Bears Norfolk Scope
April 13 Norfolk Admirals 2 – 3 Hershey Bears Norfolk Scope
April 17 Hershey Bears 3 – 1 Norfolk Admirals Hersheypark Arena
April 19 Hershey Bears 2 – 1 2OT Norfolk Admirals Hersheypark Arena
Hershey won series 3 – 1


(4) Houston Aeros vs. (5) Utah Grizzlies

April 11 Houston Aeros 4 – 0 Utah Grizzlies Compaq Center
April 13 Houston Aeros 2 – 3 OT Utah Grizzlies Compaq Center
April 16 Utah Grizzlies 2 – 1 Houston Aeros E Center
April 18 Utah Grizzlies 0 – 2 Houston Aeros E Center
April 20 Houston Aeros 3 – 2 Utah Grizzlies Compaq Center
Houston won series 3 – 2


Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference

(1) Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. (7) St. John's Maple Leafs

April 26 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4 – 2 St. John's Maple Leafs Arena at Harbor Yard
April 27 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2 – 1 OT St. John's Maple Leafs Arena at Harbor Yard
April 29 St. John's Maple Leafs 2 – 3 2OT Bridgeport Sound Tigers Mile One Stadium
May 1 St. John's Maple Leafs 2 – 7 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Mile One Stadium
Bridgeport won series 4 – 0


(4) Hartford Wolf Pack vs. (6) Hamilton Bulldogs

April 25 Hartford Wolf Pack 2 – 3 OT Hamilton Bulldogs Hartford Civic Center
April 26 Hartford Wolf Pack 3 – 2 2OT Hamilton Bulldogs Hartford Civic Center
April 29 Hamilton Bulldogs 4 – 1 Hartford Wolf Pack Copps Coliseum
April 30 Hamilton Bulldogs 4 – 2 Hartford Wolf Pack Copps Coliseum
May 2 Hamilton Bulldogs 5 – 2 Hartford Wolf Pack Copps Coliseum
Hamilton won series 4 – 1


Western Conference

(1) Syracuse Crunch vs. (7) Chicago Wolves

April 26 Syracuse Crunch 3 – 0 Chicago Wolves War Memorial at Oncenter
April 27 Syracuse Crunch 3 – 1 Chicago Wolves War Memorial at Oncenter
April 29 Chicago Wolves 4 – 2 Syracuse Crunch Allstate Arena
May 1 Chicago Wolves 3 – 1 Syracuse Crunch Allstate Arena
May 3 Chicago Wolves 3 – 1 Syracuse Crunch Allstate Arena
May 5 Syracuse Crunch 6 – 0 Chicago Wolves War Memorial at Oncenter
May 7 Syracuse Crunch 2 – 6 Chicago Wolves War Memorial at Oncenter
Chicago won series 4 – 3


(4) Houston Aeros vs. (6) Hershey Bears

April 26 Houston Aeros 3 – 0 Hershey Bears Compaq Center
April 27 Houston Aeros 3 – 2 2OT Hershey Bears Compaq Center
May 1 Hershey Bears 2 – 4 Houston Aeros Hersheypark Arena
May 3 Hershey Bears 1 – 7 Houston Aeros Hersheypark Arena
Houston won series 4 – 0


Conference finals

Eastern Conference

(1) Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. (6) Hamilton Bulldogs

May 10 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3 – 2 Hamilton Bulldogs Arena at Harbor Yard
May 11 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3 – 1 Hamilton Bulldogs Arena at Harbor Yard
May 15 Hamilton Bulldogs 4 – 2 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Copps Coliseum
May 17 Hamilton Bulldogs 2 – 5 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Copps Coliseum
May 18 Hamilton Bulldogs 3 – 2 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Copps Coliseum
May 20 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2 – 3 OT Hamilton Bulldogs Arena at Harbor Yard
May 22 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3 – 0 Hamilton Bulldogs Arena at Harbor Yard
Bridgeport won series 4 – 3


Western Conference

(4) Houston Aeros vs. (7) Chicago Wolves

May 10 Houston Aeros 6 – 4 Chicago Wolves Compaq Center
May 11 Houston Aeros 3 – 4 2OT Chicago Wolves Compaq Center
May 15 Chicago Wolves 4 – 1 Houston Aeros Allstate Arena
May 17 Chicago Wolves 2 – 1 Houston Aeros Allstate Arena
May 19 Chicago Wolves 7 – 0 Houston Aeros Allstate Arena
Chicago won series 4 – 1


Calder Cup Final

(E1) Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. (W7) Chicago Wolves

May 24 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4 – 5 OT Chicago Wolves Arena at Harbor Yard
May 25 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2 – 1 Chicago Wolves Arena at Harbor Yard
May 30 Chicago Wolves 4 – 0 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Allstate Arena
May 31 Chicago Wolves 4 – 2 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Allstate Arena
June 3 Chicago Wolves 4 – 3 2OT Bridgeport Sound Tigers Allstate Arena
Chicago won series 4 – 1


See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d 2002 Calder Cup Playoffs caldercup.com. Retrieved on April 28, 2008
  2. ^ Wolves team awards and honors Archived 2008-03-31 at the Wayback Machine chicagowolves.com. Retrieved on April 28, 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: Players caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008
  5. ^ Calder Cup record book: Teams caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2008
  6. ^ 2001-02 AHL Standings The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on April 28, 2008
  7. ^ Frequently asked questions Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine theahl.com. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
Preceded by2001 Calder Cup playoffs Calder Cup playoffs 2002 Succeeded by2003 Calder Cup playoffs
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