1997–98 CHL season

The 1997–98 CHL season was the sixth season of the Central Hockey League (CHL).

Franchise changes

 * The San Antonio Iguanas sat out the season after the Peoria Rivermen of the IHL relocated to San Antonio as the San Antonio Dragons for the 1996-97 season.  Both teams used the Freeman Coliseum for their home games. The Iguanas would return after the Dragons folded after the 1997-98 season.
 * The Nashville Nighthawks were renamed the Nashville Ice Flyers.
 * The Fayetteville Force were added as an expansion team.

Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SOL = Shootout loss; Pts = Points; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against

y - clinched league title; x - clinched playoff spot; e - eliminated from playoff contention

Format
The top four teams in each division qualify. The quarter round was best-of-five. The semifinal and final rounds were best-of-seven.

Quarterfinals

 * Oklahoma City defeated Memphis, 3 games to 1; 3-5, 3-0, 5-4 (ot), 3-1
 * Wichita defeated Tulsa, 3 games to 1; 4-3, 4-5, 4-3, 4-3
 * Columbus defeated Macon, 3 games to none; 4-3, 6-3, 2-0
 * Nashville defeated Huntsville, 3 games to none; 2-1, 7-6, 7-4

Semifinals

 * Columbus defeated Nashville, 4 games to 2; 5-2, 6-2, 2-4, 6-3, 1-3, 8-4
 * Wichita defeated Oklahoma City, 4 games to 3; 3-2, 6-2, 3-2. 3-4, 1-4, 3-5, 5-4 (ot)

Final

 * Columbus defeated Wichita, 4 games to none; 8-0, 6-3, 6-2, 4-2