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-3 series in the qualifying round. The four winners, in addition to the other twelve teams that qualified, played best-of-5 series for conference quarterfinals. The remaining 8 teams played best-of-7 series for conference semifinals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-7 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.
Chicago's Pasi Nurminen won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP. Teammate Rob Brown recorded 26 assists, tying an AHL playoff record. 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.
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. Division champions were automatically ranked 1-3.
Eastern Conference[]
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers - East Division and Eastern Conference regular season champions; Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners, 98 points
- Lowell Lock Monsters - North Division champions, 96 points
- Quebec Citadelles - Canadian Division champions, 88 points
- Hartford Wolf Pack - 95 points
- Manchester Monarchs - 90 points
- Hamilton Bulldogs - 87 points
- St. John's Maple Leafs - 87 points
- Worcester IceCats - 86 points
- Manitoba Moose - 86 points
- Providence Bruins - 82 points
Western Conference[]
- Syracuse Crunch - Central Division and Western Conference regular season champions, 96 points
- Grand Rapids Griffins - West Division champions, 95 points
- Norfolk Admirals - South Division champions, 92 points
- Houston Aeros - 93 points
- Utah Grizzlies - 91 points
- Hershey Bears - 89 points
- Chicago Wolves - 86 points
- Philadelphia Phantoms - 86 points
- Rochester Americans - 82 points
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks - 80 points
Bracket[]
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Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | Calder Cup Final | |||||||||||||||
1 | Bridgeport | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
9 | Manitoba | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Bridgeport | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
7 | St. John's | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Lowell | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
7 | St. John's | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Bridgeport | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||||||||
6 | Hamilton | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
3 | Quebec | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
6 | Hamilton | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
4 | Hartford | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
6 | Hamilton | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
4 | Hartford | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
5 | Manchester | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
E1 | Bridgeport | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
W7 | Chicago | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Syracuse | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
8 | Philadelphia | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Syracuse | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
7 | Chicago | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Grand Rapids | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
7 | Chicago | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
4 | Houston | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
Western Conference | ||||||||||||||||||
7 | Chicago | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
3 | Norfolk | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
6 | Hershey | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
4 | Houston | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
6 | Hershey | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
4 | Houston | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
5 | Utah | 2 |
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.
Conference Qualifiers[]
- Note 1: All times are in Eastern Time Zone (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, Ontario
2 - at Brampton, Ontario
(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 | Colisee Pepsi |
April 15 | Quebec Citadelles | 1 - 3 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Colisee 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 |
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 | |
Preceded by 2001 Calder Cup Playoffs |
Calder Cup Playoffs 2002 |
Succeeded by 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs |