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1996–97 IHL season: Difference between revisions

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Interesting, had to really dig into some print papers to confirm, but there were conferences in the 90s, which resulted in Conference-based playoffs.
m Disambiguating links to Phoenix Roadrunners (link changed to Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)) using DisamAssist.
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 1996-97 IHL season
| league = [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|International Hockey League]]
| sport = [[Ice hockey]]
| duration = October 4, 1996 – June 15, 1997
| no_of_games = 82
| no_of_teams = 19
| season = Regular season
| season_champ_name = [[Fred A. Huber Trophy]]
| MVP = [[Frédéric Chabot]] <small>([[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Aeros]])</small>
| MVP_link = James Gatschene Memorial Trophy
| top_scorer = [[Rob Brown (ice hockey)|Rob Brown]] <small>([[Chicago Wolves|Wolves]])</small>
| top_scorer_link = Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy
| season_champs = [[Detroit Vipers]]
| playoffs = Playoffs
| playoffs_MVP = [[Peter Ciavaglia]] <small>(Vipers)</small>
| playoffs_MVP_link = Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy (IHL)
| finals = Turner Cup
| finals_link = Turner Cup
| finals_champ = Detroit Vipers
| finals_runner-up = [[Long Beach Ice Dogs]]
| prevseason_year = [[1995–96 IHL season|1995–96]]
| nextseason_year = [[1997–98 IHL season|1997–98]]
}}
 
The '''1996–97 IHL season''' was the 52nd season of the [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|International Hockey League]], a North American minor professional league. 19 teams participated in the regular season, and the Detroit Vipers won the Turner Cup.
 
==Offseason==
The Atlanta Knights relocated to Quebec to become the Quebec Rafales due to the Omni being demolished to make room for Philips Arena.
 
The Peoria Rivermen organization left the IHL and joined the ECHL. The IHL franchise relocated to San Antonio to become the San Antonio Dragons.
 
After the Winnipeg Jets relocation to Phoenix to become the Phoenix Coyotes. The Minnesota Moose were purchased by a group by Canadian businessmen and relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba to become the Manitoba Moose to provide a new tenant at Winnipeg Arena and keeping pro hockey in the city.
 
The Los Angeles Ice Dogs relocated to Long Beach retaining the same name due to poor attendance.
 
The San Francisco Spiders folded due to bankruptcy, poor attendance and issues with Cow Palace.
 
==Regular season==
{{Location map+ | USA
| width = 600
| caption = [[Image: Blue pog.svg|10px]] North Division <br> [[Image:Red pog.svg|10px]] Central Division <br> [[Image:Black pog.svg|10px]] Midwest Division <br> [[Image:Green pog.svg|10px]] South Division
| places =
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 39.10
| lon_deg = -84.50
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = right
| label = '''[[Cincinnati Cyclones|Cyclones]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 42.70
| lon_deg = -83.25
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = right
| label = '''[[Detroit Vipers|Vipers]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 42.96
| lon_deg = -85.67
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = top
| label = '''[[Grand Rapids Griffins|Griffins]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 28.55
| lon_deg = -81.39
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = bottom
| label = '''[[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Solar Bears]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 46.83
| lon_deg = -71.25
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = left
| label = '''[[Quebec Rafales|Rafales]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 41.50
| lon_deg = -81.69
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = right
| label = '''[[Cleveland Lumberjacks|Lumberjacks]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 41.12
| lon_deg = -85.12
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = bottom
| label = '''[[Fort Wayne Komets|Komets]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 39.77
| lon_deg = -86.15
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = bottom
| label = '''[[Indianapolis Ice|Ice]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 42.25
| lon_deg = -85.54
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = Right
| label = '''[[Michigan K-Wings|K-Wings]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 41.99
| lon_deg = -87.87
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = left
| label = '''[[Chicago Wolves|Wolves]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 39.09
| lon_deg = -94.61
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = bottom
| label = '''[[Kansas City Blades|Blades]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 49.89
| lon_deg = -97.20
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = top
| label = '''[[Manitoba Moose|Moose]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 43.04
| lon_deg = -87.92
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = left
| label = '''[[Milwaukee Admirals|Admirals]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 29.43
| lon_deg = -98.44
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = top
| label = '''[[San Antonio Dragons|Dragons]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 29.73
| lon_deg = -95.44
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = bottom
| label = '''[[Houston Aeros (1994-2013)|Aeros]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 36.11
| lon_deg = -115.14
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = top
| label = '''[[Las Vegas Thunder|Thunder]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 33.76
| lon_deg = -118.19
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = left
| label = '''[[Long Beach Ice Dogs|Ice Dogs]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 33.47
| lon_deg = -112.09
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = right
| label = '''[[Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)|Roadrunners]]'''}}
 
{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 40.77
| lon_deg = -111.90
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 75
| position = bottom
| label = '''[[Utah Grizzlies|Grizzlies]]'''}}
 
}}
===Eastern Conference===
{| class="wikitable" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
Line 8 ⟶ 203:
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | W
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | L
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | TSOL
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | OTL
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GF
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GA
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Pts
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Indianapolis Ice]] || 82 || 44|| 29 || 0 || 9 || 289 || 230|| 97
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Cleveland Lumberjacks]] ||82 || 40|| 32 || 0 || 10 || 286 || 280|| 90
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Kalamazoo Wings (1974–2000)|Michigan K-Wings]] || 82 || 31 || 44 || 0 || 7 || 208|| 272|| 69
|- align="center"
| align="left" | [[Fort Wayne Komets]] || 82 || 28|| 47 || 0 || 7 || 223 || 318|| 63
|}
 
Line 28 ⟶ 222:
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | W
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | L
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | TSOL
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | OTL
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GF
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GA
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Pts
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Detroit Vipers]] || 82 || 57 || 17 || 0 ||8 ||280 ||188|| 122
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]] || 82 || 53 || 24 || 0 || 5 ||305 || 232|| 111
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Cincinnati Cyclones]] || 82 || 43 || 29 || 0 || 10 ||254 || 248|| 96
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Atlanta Knights|Québec Rafales]] || 82 || 41|| 30 || 0 || 11 ||267 ||248|| 93
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Grand Rapids Griffins]] || 82 || 40 || 30 || 0 || 12 || 244 || 246|| 92
|}
 
===Western Conference===
{| class="wikitable" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! width="40%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Midwest
Line 51 ⟶ 244:
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | W
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | L
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | TSOL
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | OTL
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GF
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GA
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Pts
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[San Antonio Dragons]] || 82 || 45|| 30 || 0 || 7 || 276 || 278 || 97
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Kansas City Blades]] || 82 || 38 || 29 || 0 ||15 ||271 ||270|| 91
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Chicago Wolves]] || 82 || 40 || 36 || 06 ||6 ||276 ||290 || 86
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Milwaukee Admirals]] || 82 || 38 || 36 || 0 ||8 ||253 ||298|| 84
|- align="center"
| align="left" | [[Manitoba Moose]] || 82 || 32|| 40 || 0 || 10 ||262 || 300|| 74
|}
 
Line 73 ⟶ 265:
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | W
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | L
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | TSOL
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | OTL
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GF
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GA
! width="7.5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Pts
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Long Beach Ice Dogs]] || 82 || 54 || 19 || 0 ||9 || 309 || 247|| 117
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]] || 82 || 44 || 30 || 0 ||8 || 247 || 228|| 96
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005)|Utah Grizzlies]] || 82 || 43 || 33 || 0 ||6 || 259 || 254|| 92
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[Las Vegas Thunder]] || 82 || 41 || 34 || 0 ||7 || 287 || 299 || 89
|- align="center"
| align="left" | [[Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)|Phoenix Roadrunners]] || 82 || 27|| 42 || 0 || 13 || 239 || 309|| 67
|}
 
== Turner Cup-Playoffs playoffs ==
 
{{16TeamBracket
Line 99 ⟶ 290:
 
| RD1-seed01= E1
| RD1-team01= '''[[Detroit Vipers]]'''
| RD1-score01= '''3'''
| RD1-seed02= E8
| RD1-team02= [[Kalamazoo Wings (1974–2000)|Michigan K-Wings]]
| RD1-score02= 1
 
| RD1-seed03= E4
| RD1-team03= [[Cincinnati Cyclones]]
| RD1-score03= 0
| RD1-seed04= E5
| RD1-team04= '''[[Atlanta Knights|Québec Rafales]]Quebec'''
| RD1-score04= '''3'''
 
| RD1-seed05= E2
| RD1-team05= '''[[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]]'''
| RD1-score05= '''3'''
| RD1-seed06= E7
| RD1-team06= [[Grand Rapids Griffins]]
| RD1-score06= 2
 
| RD1-seed07= E3
| RD1-team07= [[Indianapolis Ice]]
| RD1-score07= 1
| RD1-seed08= E6
| RD1-team08= '''[[Cleveland Lumberjacks]]'''
| RD1-score08= '''3'''
 
| RD1-seed09= W1
| RD1-team09= '''[[Long Beach Ice Dogs]]'''
| RD1-score09= '''3'''
| RD1-seed10= W8
| RD1-team10= [[Milwaukee Admirals]]
| RD1-score10= 0
 
| RD1-seed11= W4
| RD1-team11= '''[[Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005)|Utah Grizzlies]]'''
| RD1-score11= '''3'''
| RD1-seed12= W5
| RD1-team12= [[Kansas City Blades]]
| RD1-score12= 0
 
| RD1-seed13= W2
| RD1-team13= '''[[San Antonio Dragons]]'''
| RD1-score13= '''3'''
| RD1-seed14= W7
| RD1-team14= [[Chicago Wolves]]
| RD1-score14= 1
 
| RD1-seed15= W3
| RD1-team15= '''[[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]]'''
| RD1-score15= '''3'''
| RD1-seed16= W6
| RD1-team16= [[Las Vegas Thunder]]
| RD1-score16= 0
 
| RD2-seed01= E1
| RD2-team01= '''Detroit Vipers'''
| RD2-score01= '''4'''
| RD2-seed02= E5
| RD2-team02= Québec Rafales
| RD2-score02= 2
 
| RD2-seed03= E2
| RD2-team03= Orlando Solar Bears
| RD2-score03= 1
| RD2-seed04= E6
| RD2-team04= '''Cleveland Lumberjacks'''
| RD2-score04= '''4'''
 
| RD2-seed05= W1
| RD2-team05= '''Long Beach Ice Dogs'''
| RD2-score05= '''4'''
| RD2-seed06= W4
| RD2-team06= Utah Grizzlies
| RD2-score06= 0
 
| RD2-seed07= W2
| RD2-team07= San Antonio Dragons
| RD2-score07= 1
| RD2-seed08= W3
| RD2-team08= '''Houston Aeros'''
| RD2-score08= '''4'''
 
| RD3-seed01= E1
| RD3-team01= '''Detroit Vipers'''
| RD3-score01= '''4'''
| RD3-seed02= E6
| RD3-team02= Cleveland Lumberjacks
| RD3-score02= 1
 
| RD3-seed03= W1
| RD3-team03= '''Long Beach Ice Dogs'''
| RD3-score03= '''4'''
| RD3-seed04= W3
| RD3-team04= Houston Aeros
| RD3-score04= 1
 
| RD4-seed01= E1
| RD4-team01= '''Detroit Vipers'''
| RD4-score01= '''4'''
| RD4-seed02= W1
| RD4-team02= Long Beach Ice Dogs
| RD4-score02= 2
}}
Line 206 ⟶ 397:
===First round===
====(E1) Detroit Vipers vs. (E8) Michigan K-Wings====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Detroit Vipers
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Michigan K-Wings
|-
|stadium1=[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Wings Event Center|Wings Stadium]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 17 || '''Michigan''' || '''4'''–3 || Detroit
|date1=April 17
|-
|score1=4–3
|Apr 21 || Michigan || 1–'''4''' || '''Detroit'''
|won1=2
|-
|date2=April 21
|Arp 25 || '''Detroit''' ||'''4'''–3 (OT) || Michigan
|score2=1–4
|-
|won2=1
|Apr 26 || '''Detroit''' ||'''4'''–1 || Michigan
|date3=April 25
|}
|score3=4–3
''Detroit won best-of-three series 3–1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|ot3=1
|won3=1
|date4=April 26
|score4=4–1
|won4=1
|series=Detroit won series 3–1
}}
 
====(W1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (W8) Milwaukee Admirals====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Long Beach Ice Dogs
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Milwaukee Admirals
|-
|stadium1=[[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center|Long Beach Sports Arena]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Bradley Center]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 18 || Milwaukee || 5–'''6''' || '''Long Beach'''
|date1=April 18
|-
|score1=5–6
|Apr 20 || Milwaukee || 3–'''4''' (OT) || '''Long Beach'''
|won1=1
|-
|date2=April 20
|Apr 25 || '''Long Beach''' || '''1'''–0 (OT) || Milwaukee
|score2=3–4
|}
|ot2=1
''Long Beach won best-of-five series 3–0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|won2=1
|date3=April 25
|score3=1–0
|ot3=1
|won3=1
|series=Long Beach won series 3–0
}}
 
====(E2) Orlando Solar Bears vs. (E7) Grand Rapids Griffins====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Orlando Solar Bears
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Grand Rapids Griffins
|-
|stadium1=[[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Van Andel Arena]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 17 || '''Grand Rapids''' || '''3'''–1 || Orlando
|date1=April 17
|-
|score1=3–1
|Apr 21 || '''Grand Rapids''' || '''5'''–4 (OT) || Orlando
|won1=2
|-
|date2=April 21
|Apr 23 || '''Orlando''' || '''4'''–1 || Grand Rapids
|score2=5–4
|-
|ot2=1
|Apr 26 || '''Orlando''' || '''2'''–1 || Grand Rapids
|won2=2
|-
|date3=April 23
|Apr 28 || Grand Rapids || 2–'''3''' || '''Orlando'''
|score3=4–1
|}
|won3=1
''Orlando won best-of-five series 3–2.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|date4=April 26
|score4=2–1
|won4=1
|date5=April 28
|score5=2–3
|won5=1
|series=Orlando won series 3–2
}}
 
====(W2) San Antonio Dragons vs. (W7) Chicago Wolves====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=San Antonio Dragons
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Chicago Wolves
|-
|stadium1=[[Freeman Coliseum]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Allstate Arena|Rosemont Horizon]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 18 || Chicago || 3–'''5''' || '''San Antonio'''
|date1=April 18
|-
|score1=3–5
|Apr 20 || '''Chicago''' || '''4'''–3 (OT) || San Antonio
|won1=1
|-
|date2=April 20
|Apr 23 || '''San Antonio''' || '''3'''–2 || Chicago
|score2=4–3
|-
|ot2=1
|Apr 24 || '''San Antonio''' || '''3'''–2 (OT) || Chicago
|won2=2
|}
|date3=April 23
''San Antonio won best-of-five series 3–1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|score3=3–2
|won3=1
|date4=April 24
|score4=3–2
|ot4=1
|won4=1
|series=San Antonio won series 3–1
}}
 
====(E3) Indianapolis Ice vs. (E6) Cleveland Lumberjacks====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Indianapolis Ice
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Cleveland Lumberjacks
|-
|stadium1=[[Indiana Farmers Coliseum|Pepsi Coliseum]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse|Gund Arena]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 18 || Cleveland || 3–'''6''' || '''Indianapolis'''
|date1=April 18
|-
|score1=3–6
|Apr 19 || '''Cleveland''' || '''6'''–3 || Indianapolis
|won1=1
|-
|date2=April 19
|Apr 24 || Indianapolis || 1–'''2''' || '''Cleveland'''
|score2=6–3
|-
|won2=2
|Apr 26 || Indianapolis || 2–'''3''' (OT) || '''Cleveland'''
|date3=April 24
|}
|score3=1–2
''Cleveland won best-of-five series 3–1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|won3=2
|date4=April 26
|score4=2–3
|ot4=1
|won4=2
|series=Cleveland won series 3–1
}}
 
====(W3) Houston Aeros vs. (W6) Las Vegas Thunder====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Houston Aeros
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Las Vegas Thunder
|-
|stadium1=[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Thomas & Mack Center]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 19 || Las Vegas || 2–'''4''' || '''Houston'''
|date1=April 19
|-
|score1=2–4
|Apr 20 || Las Vegas || 2–'''4''' || '''Houston'''
|won1=1
|-
|date2=April 20
|Apr 25 || '''Houston''' || '''1'''–0 || Las Vegas
|score2=2–4
|}
|won2=1
''Houston won best-of-three series 3–0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|date3=April 25
|score3=1–0
|won3=1
|series=Houston won series 3–0
}}
 
====(E4) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (E5) Québec Rafales====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Cincinnati Cyclones
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Québec Rafales
|-
|stadium1=[[Heritage Bank Center|Riverfront Coliseum]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Colisée de Québec]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 18 || '''Québec''' || '''2'''–1 || Cincinnati
|date1=April 18
|-
|score1=2–1
|Apr 19 || '''Québec''' || '''7'''–3 || Cincinnati
|won1=2
|-
|date2=April 19
|Apr 25 || Cincinnati || 3–'''4''' || '''Québec'''
|score2=7–3
|}
|won2=2
''Québec won best-of-five series 3–0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|date3=April 25
|score3=3–4
|won3=2
|series=Québec won series 3–0
}}
 
====(W4) Utah Grizzlies vs. (W5) Kansas City Blades====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Utah Grizzlies
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Kansas City Blades
|-
|stadium1=[[Vivint Arena|Delta Center]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Hy-Vee Arena|Kemper Arena]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|Apr 18 || Kansas City || 0–'''2''' || '''Utah'''
|date1=April 18
|-
|score1=0–2
|Apr 21 ||Kansas City || 3–'''4''' (OT) || '''Utah'''
|won1=1
|- align="center"
|date2=April 21
|Apr 24 || '''Utah''' || '''6'''–2 || Kansas City
|score2=3–4
|}
|ot2=1
''Utah won best-of-five series 3–0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|won2=1
|date3=April 24
|score3=6–2
|won3=1
|series=Utah won series 3–0
}}
 
===Quarterfinals===
====(E1) Detroit Vipers vs. (E5) Québec Rafales====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Detroit Vipers
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Québec Rafales
|-
|stadium1=[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Colisée de Québec]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|May 1 || Québec || 1–'''3''' || '''Detroit'''
|date1=May 1
|-
|score1=1–3
|May 3 || '''Québec''' || '''3'''–1 || Detroit
|won1=1
|-
|date2=May 3
|May 7 || '''Detroit''' || '''2'''–1 || Québec
|score2=3–1
|-
|won2=2
|May 9 || '''Detroit''' || '''6'''–3 || Québec
|date3=May 7
|-
|score3=2–1
|May 10 || Detroit || 2–'''6''' || '''Québec'''
|won3=1
|- align="center"
|date4=May 9
|May 12 || Québec || 0–'''3''' || '''Detroit'''
|score4=6–3
|}
|won4=1
''Detroit won best-of-seven series 4–2.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|date5=May 10
|home5=2
|score5=2–6
|won5=2
|date6=May 12
|home6=1
|score6=0–3
|won6=1
|series=Detroit won series 4–2
}}
 
====(W1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (W4) Utah Grizzlies====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Long Beach Ice Dogs
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Utah Grizzlies
|-
|stadium1=[[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center|Long Beach Sports Arena]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Vivint Arena|Delta Center]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|May 2 || Utah || 1–'''2''' || '''Long Beach'''
|date1=May 2
|-
|score1=1–2
|May 4 || Utah || 1–'''4''' || '''Long Beach'''
|won1=1
|-
|date2=May 4
|May 7 || '''Long Beach''' || '''4'''–1 || Utah
|score2=1–4
|-
|won2=1
|May 9 || '''Long Beach''' || '''3'''–2 (OT) || Utah
|date3=May 7
|}
|score3=4–1
''Long Beach won best-of-seven series 4–0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|won3=1
|date4=May 9
|score4=3–2
|ot4=1
|won4=1
|series=Long Beach won series 4–0
}}
 
====(E2) Orlando Solar Bears vs. (E6) Cleveland Lumberjacks====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=Orlando Solar Bears
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Cleveland Lumberjacks
|-
|stadium1=[[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse|Gund Arena]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|May 2 || '''Cleveland''' || '''5'''–4 || Orlando
|date1=May 2
|-
|score1=5–4
|May 3 || '''Cleveland''' || '''3'''–2 (OT) || Orlando
|won1=2
|-
|date2=May 3
|May 7 || Orlando || 3–'''5''' || '''Cleveland'''
|score2=3–2
|-
|ot2=1
|May 10 || '''Orlando''' || '''3'''–2 || Cleveland
|won2=2
|-
|date3=May 7
|May 11 || Orlando || 4–'''6''' || '''Cleveland'''
|score3=3–5
|}
|won3=2
''Cleveland won best-of-seven series 4–1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|date4=May 10
|score4=3–2
|won4=1
|date5=May 11
|home5=2
|score5=4–6
|won5=2
|series=Cleveland won series 4–1
}}
 
====(W2) San Antonio Dragons vs. (W3) Houston Aeros====
{{NHLPlayoffs
 
|team1=San Antonio Dragons
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|team2=Houston Aeros
|-
|stadium1=[[Freeman Coliseum]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|stadium2=[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]]
|-
|homeright=yes
|May 2 || '''Houston''' || '''4'''–0 || San Antonio
|date1=May 2
|-
|score1=4–0
|May 3 || '''Houston''' || '''4'''–3 (OT) || San Antonio
|won1=2
|-
|date2=May 3
|May 6 || San Antonio || 2–'''5''' || '''Houston'''
|score2=4–3
|-
|ot2=1
|May 9 || '''San Antonio''' || '''2'''–1 || Houston
|won2=2
|-
|date3=May 6
|May 10 || San Antonio || 3–'''4''' || '''Houston'''
|score3=2–5
|}
|won3=2
Houston won best-of-seven series 4–1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|date4=May 9
|score4=2–1
|won4=1
|date5=May 10
|home5=2
|score5=3–4
|won5=2
|series=Houston won series 4–1
}}
 
===Semifinals===
====(E1) Detroit Vipers vs. (E6) Cleveland Lumberjacks====
{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Detroit Vipers
|team2=Cleveland Lumberjacks
|stadium1=[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
|stadium2=[[Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse|Gund Arena]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=May 16
|score1=2–4
|won1=1
|date2=May 18
|score2=1–4
|won2=1
|date3=May 22
|score3=1–3
|won3=2
|date4=May 24
|score4=6–4
|won4=1
|date5=May 25
|score5=1–3
|won5=1
|series=Detroit won series 4–1
}}
 
====(W1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (W3) Houston Aeros====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Long Beach Ice Dogs
|team2=Houston Aeros
|stadium1=[[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center|Long Beach Sports Arena]]
|stadium2=[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=May 15
|home1=2
|score1=1–4
|won1=2
|date2=May 18
|score2=3–5
|won2=1
|date3=May 19
|home3=1
|score3=2–5
|won3=1
|date4=May 21
|score4=5–3
|won4=1
|date5=May 22
|home5=2
|score5=4–2
|won5=1
|series=Long Beach won series 4–1
}}
 
===Turner Cup Finals===
====(E1) Detroit Vipers vs. (W1) Long Beach Ice Dogs====
{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Detroit Vipers
|team2=Long Beach Ice Dogs
|stadium1=[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
|stadium2=[[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center|Long Beach Sports Arena]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=May 30
|score1=3–5
|won1=1
|date2=June 1
|score2=3–0
|won2=2
|date3=June 9
|score3=5–1
|won3=1
|date4=June 11
|score4=3–1
|won4=1
|date5=June 13
|home5=2
|score5=1–2
|ot5=1
|won5=2
|date6=June 15
|score6=0–2
|home6=1
|won6=1
|series=Detroit won series 4–2
}}
 
==Awards==
 
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="2" | 1997 IHL awards
|-
|[[Turner Cup]] || [[Detroit Vipers]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|-
|[[Fred A. Huber Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best regular-season record)</small> || [[Detroit Vipers]]
|May 16 || Cleveland || 2–'''4''' || '''Detroit'''
|-
|Frank Gallagher Trophy:<br><small>(Eastern Conference playoff champion)</small> || [[Detroit Vipers]]
|May 18 || Cleveland || 1–'''4''' || '''Detroit'''
|-
|Ken Ullyot Trophy: <br><small>(Western Conference playoff champion)</small> || [[Long Beach Ice Dogs]]
|May 22 || Detroit || 1–'''3''' || '''Cleveland'''
|-
|[[John Cullen Award|Comeback Player of the Year Award]]: || [[Kevin Smyth]], [[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]]
|May 24 || '''Detroit''' || '''6'''–4 || Cleveland
|-
|[[Commissioner's Trophy (IHL)|Commissioner's Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best coach)</small> || [[John Van Boxmeer]], [[Long Beach Ice Dogs]]
|May 25 || Cleveland || 1–'''3''' || '''Detroit'''
|}
''Detroit won best-of-seven series 4–1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
====(W1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (W3) Houston Aeros====
 
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|[[Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best first-year player)</small> || [[Sergei Samsonov]], [[Detroit Vipers]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|-
|[[Governor's Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best defenceman)</small> || [[Brad Werenka]], [[Indianapolis Ice]]
|May 15 || Long Beach || 1–'''4''' || '''Houston'''
|-
|[[IHL Man of the Year|I. John Snider, II Trophy]]:<br><small>(Leadership and humanitarian contribution)</small> || [[Tim Breslin]], [[Chicago Wolves]]
|May 18 || Houston || 3–'''5''' || '''Long Beach'''
|-
|May 19 || Houston || 2–'''5''' || '''Long Beach'''
|-
|May 21 || '''Long Beach''' || '''5'''–3 || Houston
|-
|May 22 || '''Long Beach''' || '''4'''–2 || Houston
|}
''Long Beach won best-of-seven series 4–1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
===Turner Cup Finals===
====(E1) Detroit Vipers vs. (W1) Long Beach Ice Dogs====
 
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|[[Ironman Award]]:<br><small>(Best two-way player over 82 games)</small> || [[Brad Werenka]], [[Indianapolis Ice]]
! Date !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team
|-
|[[James Gatschene Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Most valuable player, regular season)</small> || [[Frédéric Chabot]], [[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]]
|May 30 || Long Beach || 3–'''5''' || '''Detroit'''
|-
|[[James Norris Memorial Trophy (IHL)|James Norris Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Goaltenders with fewest goals allowed)</small> || [[Rich Parent]] and [[Jeff Reese]], [[Detroit Vipers]]
|June 1 || '''Long Beach''' || '''3'''–0 || Detroit
|-
|[[Ken McKenzie Trophy (IHL)|Ken McKenzie Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best U.S.-born first-year player)</small> || [[Brian Felsner]], [[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]]
|June 9 || '''Detroit''' || '''5'''–1 || Long Beach
|-
|[[Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Player with most points)</small> || [[Rob Brown (ice hockey)|Rob Brown]], [[Chicago Wolves]]
|June 11 || '''Detroit''' || '''3'''–1 || Long Beac
|-
|[[Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy (IHL)|Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy]]:<br><small>(Most valuable player, playoffs)</small> || [[Peter Ciavaglia]], [[Detroit Vipers]]
|June 13 || Detroit || 1–'''2''' (OT) || '''Long Beach'''
|-
|June 15 || Long Beach || 0–'''2''' || '''Detroit'''
|}
''Detroit won Turner Cup 4–2.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
==References==
<references/>
;Bibliography
* {{cite book|title=Total Hockey |editor-last=Diamond |editor-first=Dan |publisher=Total Sports |year=2000 |isbn=1-892129-85-X }}
 
== External links ==
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996–97_IHL_season"