The 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 9, 2003. 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.[1] The conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on June 12, 2003 with the Houston Aeros defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs four games to three to win the first Calder Cup in team history.[2]
Houston's Johan Holmqvist won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP and also set a record for most minutes played by a goaltender in a single playoff with 1498.[3][4] Jarret Stoll of the Hamilton Bulldogs set an AHL playoff record for the fastest goal from the start of a period by scoring 4 seconds into the 3rd period on May 22, 2003 against Binghamton.[4] Hamilton's Michael Ryder ended the longest game in AHL history when he scored at 14:56 of the fourth overtime in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Final.[5] However, this record was eclipsed during the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.[6]
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After the 2002–03 AHL regular season, 20 teams qualified for the playoffs. The top ten teams from each conference qualified for the playoffs. The Hamilton Bulldogs were the Eastern Conference regular season champions as well as the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners with the best overall regular season record. The Grand Rapids Griffins were the Western Conference regular season champions.[7] Division champions were automatically ranked 1-3.
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| Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | Calder Cup Final | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | Hamilton | 3 | 1 | Hamilton | 4 | |||||||||||||
| 8 | Springfield | 1 | 9 | Manitoba | 3 |
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| 2 | Providence | 1 | Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | Manitoba | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Hamilton | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Binghamton | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Binghamton | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Worcester | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Manchester | 0 | 3 | Binghamton | 4 | |||||||||||||
| 5 | Bridgeport | 3 | 5 | Bridgeport | 2 |
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| E1 | Hamilton | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Pairings are re-seeded after the first round.) | ||||||||||||||||||
| W2 | Houston | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Grand Rapids | 3 | 1 | Grand Rapids | 4 | |||||||||||||
| 8 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | 1 | 4 | Chicago | 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2 | Houston | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Milwaukee | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Grand Rapids | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Houston | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Norfolk | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | San Antonio | 0 | Western Conference | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | Chicago | 3 | 2 | Houston | 4 | |||||||||||||
| 5 | Hershey | 2 | 3 | Norfolk | 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.[8]
| April 9 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 1 - 3 | Springfield Falcons | Hartford Civic Center | ||||
| April 11 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 2 - 3 | Springfield Falcons | Hartford Civic Center | ||||
| Springfield won series 2 – 0 | |
| April 10 | Portland Pirates | 1 - 4 | Manitoba Moose | Cumberland County Civic Center | ||||
| April 11 | Portland Pirates | 4 - 2 | Manitoba Moose | Cumberland County Civic Center | ||||
| April 13 | Portland Pirates | 3 - 6 | Manitoba Moose | Cumberland County Civic Center | ||||
| Manitoba won series 2 – 1 | |
| April 10 | Milwaukee Admirals | 4 - 3 | OT | Rochester Americans | Bradley Center | |||
| April 12 | Milwaukee Admirals | 1 - 6 | Rochester Americans | Bradley Center | ||||
| April 13 | Milwaukee Admirals | 6 - 1 | Rochester Americans | Bradley Center | ||||
| Milwaukee won series 2 – 1 | |
| April 10 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 5 - 2 | Utah Grizzlies | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| April 12 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2 - 1 | Utah Grizzlies | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won series 2 – 0 | |
| April 15 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 4 - 0 | Springfield Falcons | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| April 17 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 7 - 6 | OT | Springfield Falcons | Copps Coliseum | |||
| April 18 | Springfield Falcons | 3 - 0 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Springfield Civic Center | ||||
| April 21 | Springfield Falcons | 1 - 2 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Springfield Civic Center | ||||
| Hamilton won series 3 – 1 | |
| April 16 | Providence Bruins | 1 - 2 | 2OT | Manitoba Moose | Dunkin' Donuts Center | |||
| April 18 | Providence Bruins | 0 - 1 | Manitoba Moose | Dunkin' Donuts Center | ||||
| April 20 | Manitoba Moose | 0 - 1 | Providence Bruins | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| April 22 | Manitoba Moose | 3 - 2 | Providence Bruins | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| Manitoba won series 3 – 1 | |
| April 10 | Binghamton Senators | 3 - 2 | OT | Worcester IceCats | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | |||
| April 11 | Binghamton Senators | 4 - 2 | Worcester IceCats | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| April 18 | Worcester IceCats | 0 - 1 | Binghamton Senators | Worcester's Centrum Centre | ||||
| Binghamton won series 3 – 0 | |
| April 12 | Manchester Monarchs | 1 - 2 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Verizon Wireless Arena | ||||
| April 13 | Manchester Monarchs | 3 - 6 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Verizon Wireless Arena | ||||
| April 18 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 6 - 3 | Manchester Monarchs | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| Bridgeport won series 3 - 0 | |
| April 16 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 3 - 1 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| April 18 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 2 - 1 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| April 19 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 6 - 2 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| April 21 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2 - 3 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza | ||||
| Grand Rapids won series 3 - 1 | |
| April 16 | Houston Aeros | 3 - 2 | Milwaukee Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| April 18 | Houston Aeros | 4 - 2 | Milwaukee Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| April 19 | Milwaukee Admirals | 2 - 3 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| Houston won series 3 - 0 | |
| April 10 | Norfolk Admirals | 4 - 3 | OT | San Antonio Rampage | Norfolk Scope | |||
| April 11 | Norfolk Admirals | 2 - 1 | San Antonio Rampage | Norfolk Scope | ||||
| April 13 | San Antonio Rampage | 1 - 3 | Norfolk Admirals | AT&T Center | ||||
| Norfolk won series 3 - 0 | |
| April 13 | Chicago Wolves | 3 - 2 | Hershey Bears | Allstate Arena | ||||
| April 16 | Chicago Wolves | 3 - 5 | Hershey Bears | Allstate Arena | ||||
| April 19 | Hershey Bears | 3 - 1 | Chicago Wolves | GIANT Center | ||||
| April 20 | Hershey Bears | 0 - 6 | Chicago Wolves | GIANT Center | ||||
| April 22 | Chicago Wolves | 3 - 2 | OT | Hershey Bears | Allstate Arena | |||
| Chicago won series 3 - 2 | |
| April 27 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 1 - 2 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| April 29 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 5 - 2 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 2 | Manitoba Moose | 1 - 2 | 2OT | Hamilton Bulldogs | Winnipeg Arena | |||
| May 4 | Manitoba Moose | 2 - 6 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| May 5 | Manitoba Moose | 3 - 1 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Winnipeg Arena | ||||
| May 8 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 3 - 4 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 11 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 3 - 2 | Manitoba Moose | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| Hamilton won series 4 - 3 | |
| April 26 | Binghamton Senators | 2 - 1 | OT | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | |||
| April 27 | Binghamton Senators | 3 - 2 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| April 30 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 5 - 0 | Binghamton Senators | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| May 2 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 3 - 2 | Binghamton Senators | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| May 3 | Binghamton Senators | 3 - 0 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| May 5 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 1 - 2 | Binghamton Senators | Arena at Harbor Yard | ||||
| Binghamton won series 4 - 2 | |
| April 28 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 4 - 3 | OT | Chicago Wolves | Van Andel Arena | |||
| April 29 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 3 - 1 | Chicago Wolves | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| May 1 | Chicago Wolves | 1 - 2 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Allstate Arena | ||||
| May 2 | Chicago Wolves | 0 - 2 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Allstate Arena | ||||
| Grand Rapids won series 4 - 0 | |
| April 26 | Houston Aeros | 5 - 4 | 2OT | Norfolk Admirals | Compaq Center | |||
| April 27 | Houston Aeros | 0 - 4 | Norfolk Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| April 30 | Norfolk Admirals | 3 - 2 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| May 2 | Norfolk Admirals | 2 - 3 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| May 4 | Norfolk Admirals | 1 - 4 | Houston Aeros | Bradley Center | ||||
| May 7 | Houston Aeros | 3 - 1 | Norfolk Admirals | Compaq Center | ||||
| Houston won series 4 - 2 | |
| May 13 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 5 - 1 | Binghamton Senators | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 15 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2 - 1 | Binghamton Senators | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 19 | Binghamton Senators | 6 - 4 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| May 20 | Binghamton Senators | 3 - 6 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | ||||
| May 22 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 8 - 3 | Binghamton Senators | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| Hamilton won series 4 - 1 | |
| May 12 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 2 - 3 | OT | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | |||
| May 14 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 3 - 1 | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| May 16 | Houston Aeros | 2 - 1 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Compaq Center | ||||
| May 17 | Houston Aeros | 2 - 1 | Grand Rapids Griffins | Compaq Center | ||||
| May 19 | Houston Aeros | 4 - 5 | 2OT | Grand Rapids Griffins | Compaq Center | |||
| May 21 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 2 - 1 | OT | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | |||
| May 22 | Grand Rapids Griffins | 1 - 2 | Houston Aeros | Van Andel Arena | ||||
| Houston won series 4 - 3 | |
| May 28 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 1 - 2 | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| May 30 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2 - 1 | 4OT | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | |||
| June 4 | Houston Aeros | 2 - 4 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Compaq Center | ||||
| June 6 | Houston Aeros | 3 - 2 | OT | Hamilton Bulldogs | Compaq Center | |||
| June 7 | Houston Aeros | 6 - 4 | Hamilton Bulldogs | Compaq Center | ||||
| June 9 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2 - 1 | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| June 12 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 0 - 3 | Houston Aeros | Copps Coliseum | ||||
| Houston won series 4 - 3 | |
| Preceded by 2002 Calder Cup Playoffs |
Calder Cup Playoffs 2003 |
Succeeded by 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs |
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