1995 Calder Cup Playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 1995 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League
began on April 12, 1995. The twelve teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-7 series for division semifinals and division finals. The highest remaining seed received a bye for the third round while the other two remaining teams played a best-of-3 series series, with the winner advancing to play the bye-team in a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup
. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 26, 1995 with the Albany River Rats
defeating the Fredericton Canadiens
four games to zero to win the first Calder Cup in team history. Albany's Corey Schwab
and Mike Dunham
were co-winners of the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff co-MVPs.
The Southern Division semifinal between Cornwall
and Hershey
was a penalty filled series. The two teams combined for 575 penalty minutes in the series, an AHL record. Hershey's 323 penalty minutes in that series set another AHL playoff record for most penalty minutes by one team in one series. Furthermore, Hershey set yet another AHL playoff record by accumulating 186 penalty minutes in game 5 of the series, the most by one team in one playoff game.
, 12 teams qualified for the playoffs. The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Albany River Rats
finished the regular season with the best overall record.
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
began on April 12, 1995. The twelve teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-7 series for division semifinals and division finals. The highest remaining seed received a bye for the third round while the other two remaining teams played a best-of-3 series series, with the winner advancing to play the bye-team in a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 26, 1995 with the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
defeating the Fredericton Canadiens
Fredericton Canadiens
The Fredericton Canadiens, or the 'Baby Habs' were a professional ice hockey team in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Canadiens played their home games at the Aitken Centre...
four games to zero to win the first Calder Cup in team history. Albany's Corey Schwab
Corey Schwab
Corey Schwab is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goalie. He was drafted in the 10th round, 200th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils...
and Mike Dunham
Mike Dunham
Michael Dunham is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently the goaltending coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
were co-winners of the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff co-MVPs.
The Southern Division semifinal between Cornwall
Cornwall Aces
The Cornwall Aces were the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques from 1993 to 1995, and the relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. They were based in the eastern Ontario city of Cornwall, and played at the Ed Lumley Arena inside the Cornwall Civic Complex...
and Hershey
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
was a penalty filled series. The two teams combined for 575 penalty minutes in the series, an AHL record. Hershey's 323 penalty minutes in that series set another AHL playoff record for most penalty minutes by one team in one series. Furthermore, Hershey set yet another AHL playoff record by accumulating 186 penalty minutes in game 5 of the series, the most by one team in one playoff game.
Playoff seeds
After the 1994-95 AHL regular season1994–95 AHL season
The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule...
, 12 teams qualified for the playoffs. The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
finished the regular season with the best overall record.
Atlantic Division
- Prince Edward Island SenatorsPrince Edward Island SenatorsThe Prince Edward Island Senators are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 1996. Originally located in New Haven, Connecticut for 21 seasons, including one as the affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, the franchise relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward...
- 90 points - St. John's Maple LeafsSt. John's Maple LeafsThe St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
- 76 points - Fredericton CanadiensFredericton CanadiensThe Fredericton Canadiens, or the 'Baby Habs' were a professional ice hockey team in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Canadiens played their home games at the Aitken Centre...
- 75 points - Saint John FlamesSaint John FlamesThe Saint John Flames were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 2003 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Calgary Flames bought and relocated the Utica Devils, to be their AHL affiliate....
- 67 points
Northern Division
- Albany River RatsAlbany River RatsThe Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
- 109 points - Portland PiratesPortland PiratesThe Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
- 104 points - Providence BruinsProvidence BruinsThe Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
- 89 points - Adirondack Red WingsAdirondack Red WingsThe Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
- 74 points
Southern Division
- Binghamton RangersBinghamton RangersThe Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:...
- 93 points - Cornwall AcesCornwall AcesThe Cornwall Aces were the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques from 1993 to 1995, and the relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. They were based in the eastern Ontario city of Cornwall, and played at the Ed Lumley Arena inside the Cornwall Civic Complex...
- 85 points - Hershey BearsHershey BearsThe Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
- 78 points - Rochester AmericansRochester AmericansThe Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
- 77 points
Bracket
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. For the Calder Cup Semifinal round, the team that earned the most points during the regular season out of the three remaining teams receives a bye directly to the Calder Cup Final. There is no set series format due to arena scheduling conflicts and travel considerations.Division Semifinals
- Note 1: Home team is listed first.
- Note 2: The number of overtime periods played (where applicable) is not specified
(A1) Prince Edward Island Senators vs. (A4) Saint John Flames
(A2) St. John's Maple Leafs vs. (A3) Fredericton Canadiens
(N1) Albany River Rats vs. (N4) Adirondack Red Wings
(N2) Portland Pirates vs. (N3) Providence Bruins
(S1) Binghamton Rangers vs. (S4) Rochester Americans
(S2) Cornwall Aces vs. (S3) Hershey Bears
(A1) Prince Edward Island Senators vs. (A3) Fredericton Canadiens
(N1) Albany River Rats vs. (N3) Providence Bruins
(S1) Binghamton Rangers vs. (S2) Cornwall Aces
Bye
- (N1) Albany River Rats receive a bye to the Calder Cup Final by virtue of having earned the highest point total in the regular season out of the three remaining teams.