1996–97 IHL season: Difference between revisions

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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
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.
{{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"
! width="40%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Central
Line 6 ⟶ 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
|}
 
{| class="wikitable" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! width="40%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | MidwestNorth
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GP
! 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" | [[SanDetroit Antonio DragonsVipers]] || 82 || 45|| 3057 || 017 || 78 || 276280 || 278 188|| 97122
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[KansasOrlando CitySolar Blades]]Bears (IHL)||Orlando Solar 82Bears]] || 3882 || 2953 || 024 ||15 5 ||271305 ||270 232|| 91111
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[ChicagoCincinnati WolvesCyclones]] || 82 || 4043 || 3629 || 010 ||6254 ||276 248||290 ||96 86
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[MilwaukeeAtlanta AdmiralsKnights|Québec Rafales]] || 82 || 38 41|| 3630 || 011 ||8267 ||253 248||298|| 84 93
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[ManitobaGrand MooseRapids Griffins]] || 82 || 32|| 40 || 030 || 1012 ||262 244 || 300246|| 7492
|}
 
===Western Conference===
{| class="wikitable" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! width="40%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | North Midwest
! width="5%" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | GP
! 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" | [[DetroitSan VipersAntonio Dragons]] || 82 || 57 45|| 1730 || 07 ||8 276 ||280 ||188278 || 12297
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[OrlandoKansas SolarCity Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar BearsBlades]] || 82 || 5382 || 2438 || 029 || 515 ||305271 || 232270|| 11191
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[CincinnatiChicago CyclonesWolves]] || 82 || 4340 || 2936 || 06 || 10276 ||254290 || 248|| 96 86
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[AtlantaMilwaukee Knights|Québec RafalesAdmirals]] || 82 || 41|| 3038 || 036 || 118 ||267253 ||248298|| 9384
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="left" | [[GrandManitoba Rapids GriffinsMoose]] || 82 || 40 32|| 3040 || 010 || 12 || 244262 || 246300|| 9274
|}
 
Line 70 ⟶ 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
| RD1= Turner Cup-First round
| RD2= Turner Cup-Quarterfinals
| RD3= Turner Cup-Semifinals
| RD4= Turner Cup-Final Finals
 
| RD1-seed01= N1
| RD1-seed01= E1
| RD1-team01= '''[[Detroit Vipers]]'''
| RD1-team01= '''Detroit'''
| RD1-score01= '''3'''
| RD1-seed02= C3E8
| RD1-team02= [[Kalamazoo Wings (1974–2000)|Michigan K-Wings]]
| RD1-score02= 1
 
| RD1-seed03= N3
| RD1-team03seed03= [[Cincinnati Cyclones]] E4
| RD1-team03= Cincinnati
| RD1-score03= 0
| RD1-seed04= N4E5
| RD1-team04= '''[[Atlanta Knights|Québec Rafales]]Quebec'''
| RD1-score04= '''3'''
 
| RD1-seed05= C1
| RD1-team05seed05= [[Indianapolis Ice]] E2
| RD1-score05team05= 1'''Orlando'''
| RD1-seed06score05= C2'''3'''
| RD1-seed06= E7
| RD1-team06= '''[[Cleveland Lumberjacks]]'''
| RD1-score06team06= '''3'''Grand Rapids
| RD1-seed07score06= N22
 
| RD1-team07= '''[[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]]'''
| RD1-score07seed07= '''3'''E3
| RD1-seed08team07= N5Indianapolis
| RD1-score07= 1
| RD1-team08= [[Grand Rapids Griffins]]
| RD1-score08seed08= 2E6
| RD1-seed09team08= S1'''Cleveland'''
| RD1-team09score08= '''[[Long Beach Ice Dogs]]3'''
 
| RD1-seed09= W1
| RD1-team09= '''Long Beach'''
| RD1-score09= '''3'''
| RD1-seed10= M4W8
| RD1-team10= [[Milwaukee Admirals]]
| RD1-score10= 0
 
| RD1-seed11= M2
| RD1-team11seed11= [[Kansas City Blades]] W4
| RD1-score11team11= 0'''Utah'''
| RD1-seed12score11= S3'''3'''
| RD1-seed12= W5
| RD1-team12= '''[[Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005)|Utah Grizzlies]]'''
| RD1-score12team12= '''3'''Kansas City
| RD1-seed13score12= M10
 
| RD1-team13= '''[[San Antonio Dragons]]'''
| RD1-seed13= W2
| RD1-team13= '''San Antonio'''
| RD1-score13= '''3'''
| RD1-seed14= M3W7
| RD1-team14= [[Chicago Wolves]]
| RD1-score14= 1
 
| RD1-seed15= S2
| RD1-team15seed15= '''[[Houston Aeros]]''' W3
| RD1-team15= '''Houston'''
| RD1-score15= '''3'''
| RD1-seed16= S4W6
| RD1-team16= [[Las Vegas Thunder]]
| RD1-score16= 0
 
| RD2-seed01= N1
| RD2-team01seed01= '''Detroit Vipers'''E1
| RD2-team01= '''Detroit'''
| RD2-score01= '''4'''
| RD2-seed02= N4E5
| RD2-team02= Rafales de Québec
| RD2-score02= 2
 
| RD2-seed03= C2
| RD2-seed03= E2
| RD2-team03= '''Cleveland Lumberjacks'''
| RD2-score03team03= '''4'''Orlando
| RD2-seed04score03= N21
| RD2-team04seed04= Orlando Solar BearsE6
| RD2-score04team04= 1'''Cleveland'''
| RD2-seed05score04= S1'''4'''
 
| RD2-team05= '''Long Beach Ice Dogs'''
| RD2-seed05= W1
| RD2-team05= '''Long Beach'''
| RD2-score05= '''4'''
| RD2-seed06= S3W4
| RD2-team06= Utah Grizzlies
| RD2-score06= 0
 
| RD2-seed07= M1
| RD2-team07seed07= San Antonio DragonsW2
| RD2-team07= San Antonio
| RD2-score07= 1
| RD2-seed08= S2W3
| RD2-team08= '''Houston Aeros'''
| RD2-score08= '''4'''
 
| RD3-seed01= N1
| RD3-team01seed01= '''Detroit Vipers'''E1
| RD3-team01= '''Detroit'''
| RD3-score01= '''4'''
| RD3-seed02= C2E6
| RD3-team02= Cleveland Lumberjacks
| RD3-score02= 1
 
| RD3-seed03= S1
| RD3-team03seed03= '''Long Beach Ice Dogs'''W1
| RD3-team03= '''Long Beach'''
| RD3-score03= '''4'''
| RD3-seed04= S2W3
| RD3-team04= Houston Aeros
| RD3-score04= 1
 
| RD4-seed01= N1
| RD4-team01seed01= '''Detroit Vipers'''E1
| RD4-team01= '''Detroit'''
| RD4-score01= '''4'''
| RD4-seed02= S1W1
| RD4-team02= Long Beach Ice Dogs
| RD4-score02= 2
}}
 
===First round===
====(E1) Detroit Vipers vs. (E8) Michigan K-Wings====
{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Detroit Vipers
|team2=Michigan K-Wings
|stadium1=[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
|stadium2=[[Wings Event Center|Wings Stadium]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=April 17
|score1=4–3
|won1=2
|date2=April 21
|score2=1–4
|won2=1
|date3=April 25
|score3=4–3
|ot3=1
|won3=1
|date4=April 26
|score4=4–1
|won4=1
|series=Detroit won series 3–1
}}
 
====(N1W1) DetroitLong VipersBeach Ice Dogs vs. (C3W8) MichiganMilwaukee K-WingsAdmirals====
{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Long Beach Ice Dogs
|team2=Milwaukee Admirals
|stadium1=[[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center|Long Beach Sports Arena]]
|stadium2=[[Bradley Center]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=April 18
|score1=5–6
|won1=1
|date2=April 20
|score2=3–4
|ot2=1
|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
|team2=Grand Rapids Griffins
|stadium1=[[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]]
|stadium2=[[Van Andel Arena]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=April 17
|score1=3–1
|won1=2
|date2=April 21
|score2=5–4
|ot2=1
|won2=2
|date3=April 23
|score3=4–1
|won3=1
|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
|team2=Chicago Wolves
|stadium1=[[Freeman Coliseum]]
|stadium2=[[Allstate Arena|Rosemont Horizon]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=April 18
|score1=3–5
|won1=1
|date2=April 20
|score2=4–3
|ot2=1
|won2=2
|date3=April 23
|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====
{|class="wikitable"
{{NHLPlayoffs
|+ '''Michigan K-Wings vs Detroit Vipers'''
|team1=Indianapolis Ice
!width="50"| Date
|team2=Cleveland Lumberjacks
!width="90"| Visitors
|stadium1=[[Indiana Farmers Coliseum|Pepsi Coliseum]]
!width="25"| Score
|stadium2=[[Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse|Gund Arena]]
!width="90"| Home
|homeright=yes
!width="25"| Score
|date1=April 18
|- align="center"
|score1=3–6
|Apr 17 || '''Michigan''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || Detroit ||align="center"| 3
|won1=1
|- align="center"
|date2=April 19
|Apr 21 || Michigan ||align="center"| 1 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|score2=6–3
|- align="center"
|won2=2
|Arp 25 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || Michigan ||align="center"| 3 (OT)
|date3=April 24
|- align="center"
|score3=1–2
|Apr 26 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || Michigan ||align="center"| 1
|won3=2
|}
|date4=April 26
''Detroit wins best-of-three series 3-1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|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
|team2=Las Vegas Thunder
|stadium1=[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]]
|stadium2=[[Thomas & Mack Center]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=April 19
|score1=2–4
|won1=1
|date2=April 20
|score2=2–4
|won2=1
|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
|team2=Québec Rafales
|stadium1=[[Heritage Bank Center|Riverfront Coliseum]]
|stadium2=[[Colisée de Québec]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=April 18
|score1=2–1
|won1=2
|date2=April 19
|score2=7–3
|won2=2
|date3=April 25
|score3=3–4
|won3=2
|series=Québec won series 3–0
}}
 
====(N3W4) CincinnatiUtah CyclonesGrizzlies vs. (N4W5) QuebecKansas RafalesCity Blades====
{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Utah Grizzlies
|team2=Kansas City Blades
|stadium1=[[Vivint Arena|Delta Center]]
|stadium2=[[Hy-Vee Arena|Kemper Arena]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=April 18
|score1=0–2
|won1=1
|date2=April 21
|score2=3–4
|ot2=1
|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
|team2=Québec Rafales
|stadium1=[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
|stadium2=[[Colisée de Québec]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=May 1
|score1=1–3
|won1=1
|date2=May 3
|score2=3–1
|won2=2
|date3=May 7
|score3=2–1
|won3=1
|date4=May 9
|score4=6–3
|won4=1
|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====
{|class="wikitable"
{{NHLPlayoffs
|+ '''Quebec Rafales vs Cincinnati Cyclones'''
|team1=Long Beach Ice Dogs
!width="50"| Date
|team2=Utah Grizzlies
!width="90"| Visitors
|stadium1=[[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center|Long Beach Sports Arena]]
!width="25"| Score
|stadium2=[[Vivint Arena|Delta Center]]
!width="90"| Home
|homeright=yes
!width="25"| Score
|date1=May 2
|- align="center"
|score1=1–2
|Apr 18 || '''Quebec''' ||align="center"| '''2''' || Cincinnati ||align="center"| 1
|won1=1
|- align="center"
|date2=May 4
|Apr 19 || '''Quebec''' ||align="center"| '''7''' || Cincinnati ||align="center"| 3
|score2=1–4
|- align="center"
|won2=1
|Apr 25 || Cincinnati ||align="center"| 3 || '''Quebec''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|date3=May 7
|}
|score3=4–1
''Quebec wins best-of-five series 3-0.''{{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
|team2=Cleveland Lumberjacks
|stadium1=[[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]]
|stadium2=[[Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse|Gund Arena]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=May 2
|score1=5–4
|won1=2
|date2=May 3
|score2=3–2
|ot2=1
|won2=2
|date3=May 7
|score3=3–5
|won3=2
|date4=May 10
|score4=3–2
|won4=1
|date5=May 11
|home5=2
|score5=4–6
|won5=2
|series=Cleveland won series 4–1
}}
 
====(N2W2) OrlandoSan solarAntonio bearsDragons vs. (N5W3) GrandHouston Rapids GriffinsAeros====
{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=San Antonio Dragons
|team2=Houston Aeros
|stadium1=[[Freeman Coliseum]]
|stadium2=[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]]
|homeright=yes
|date1=May 2
|score1=4–0
|won1=2
|date2=May 3
|score2=4–3
|ot2=1
|won2=2
|date3=May 6
|score3=2–5
|won3=2
|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"
{{NHLPlayoffs
|+ '''Grand Rapids Griffins vs Orlando Solar Bears'''
|team1=Long Beach Ice Dogs
!width="50"| Date
|team2=Houston Aeros
!width="90"| Visitors
|stadium1=[[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center|Long Beach Sports Arena]]
!width="25"| Score
|stadium2=[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]]
!width="90"| Home
|homeright=yes
!width="25"| Score
|date1=May 15
|- align="center"
|home1=2
|Apr 17 || '''Grand Rapids''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Orlando ||align="center"| 1
|score1=1–4
|- align="center"
|won1=2
|Apr 21 || '''Grand Rapids''' ||align="center"| '''5''' || Orlando ||align="center"| 4 (OT)
|date2=May 18
|- align="center"
|score2=3–5
|Apr 23 || '''Orlando''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || Grand Rapids ||align="center"| 1
|won2=1
|- align="center"
|date3=May 19
|Apr 26 || '''Orlando''' ||align="center"| '''2''' || Grand Rapids ||align="center"| 1
|home3=1
|- align="center"
|score3=2–5
|Apr 28 || Grand Rapids ||align="center"| 2 || '''Orlando''' ||align="center"| '''3'''
|won3=1
|}
|date4=May 21
''Orlando wins best-of-five series 3-2.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
|score4=5–3
 
|won4=1
===(C1) Indianapolis Ice vs. (C2) Cleveland Lumberjacks===
|date5=May 22
 
|home5=2
 
|score5=4–2
{|class="wikitable"
|won5=1
|+ '''Cleveland Lumberjacks vs Indianapolis ice'''
|series=Long Beach won series 4–1
!width="50"| Date
}}
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|Apr 18 || Cleveland ||align="center"| 3 || '''Indianapolis''' ||align="center"| '''6'''
|- align="center"
|Apr 19 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''6''' || Indianapolis ||align="center"| 3
|- align="center"
|Apr 24 || Indianapolis ||align="center"| 1 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''2'''
|- align="center"
|Apr 26 || Indianapolis ||align="center"| 2 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''3''' (OT)
|}
''Cleveland wins best-of-five series 3-1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
 
===(S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (M4) Milwaukee Admirals===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Milwaukee Admirals vs Long Beach Ice Dogs'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|Apr 18 || Milwaukee ||align="center"| 5 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''6'''
|- align="center"
|Apr 20 || Milwaukee ||align="center"| 3 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''4''' (OT)
|- align="center"
|Apr 25 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''1''' || Milwaukee ||align="center"| 0 (OT)
|}
''Long Beach wins best-of-five series 3-0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
===(M2) Kansas City Blades vs. (S3) Utah Grizzlies===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Utah vs Kansas City'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|Apr 18 || '''Utah''' ||align="center"| '''2''' || Kansas City ||align="center"| 0
|- align="center"
|Apr 21 || '''Utah''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || Kansas City ||align="center"| 3 (OT)
|- align="center"
|Apr 24 || Kansas City ||align="center| 2 || '''Utah''' ||align="center"| '''6'''
|}
''Utah wins best-of-five series 3-0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
 
===(S2) Houston Aeros vs. (S4) Las Vegas Thunder===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Las Vegas Thunder vs Houston Aeros'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|Apr 19 || Las Vegas ||align="center"| 2 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|- align="center"
|Apr 20 || Las Vegas ||align="center"| 2 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|- align="center"
|Apr 25 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''1''' || Las Vegas ||align="center"| 0
|}
''Houston wins best-of-three series 3-0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
===(M1) San Antonio Dragons vs. (M3) Chicago Wolves===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Chicago Wolves vs San Antonio Dragons'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|Apr 18 || Chicago ||align="center"| 3 || '''San Antonio''' ||align="center"| '''5'''
|- align="center"
|Apr 20 || '''Chicago''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || San Antonio ||align="center"| 3 (OT)
|- align="center"
|Apr 23 || '''San Antonio''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Chicago ||align="center"| 2
|- align="center"
|Apr 24 || '''san Antonio''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Chicago ||align="center"| 2 (OT)
|}
''San Antonio wins best-of-five series 3-1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
 
===(N1) Detroit Vipers vs. (N4) Quebec Rafales====
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Quebec Rafales vs Detroit Vipers'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|May 1 || Quebec ||align="center"| 1 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''3'''
|- align="center"
|May 3 || '''Quebec''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Detroit ||align="center"| 1
|- align="center"
|May 7 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''2''' || Quebec ||align="center"| 1
|- align="center"
|May 9 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''6''' || Quebec ||align="center"| 3
|- align="center"
|May 10 || Detroit ||align="center"| 2 || '''Quebec''' ||align="center"| '''6'''
|- align="center"
|May 12 || Quebec ||align="center"| 0 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''3'''
|}
''Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-2.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
===(N2) Orlando Solar Bears vs. (C2) Cleveland Lumberjacks===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Cleveland vs Orlando'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Vsitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|May 2 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''5''' || Orlando ||align="center"| 4
|- align="center"
|May 3 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Orlando ||align="center"| 2 (OT)
|- align="center"
|May 7 || Orlando ||align="center"| 3 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''5'''
|- align="center"
|May 10 || '''Orlando''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Cleveland ||align="center"| 2
|- align="center"
|May 11 || Orlando ||align="center"| 4 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''6'''
|}
''Cleveland wins best-of-seven series 4-1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
 
 
===(S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (S3) Utah Grizzlies===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Utah vs Long Beach'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|May 2 || Utah ||align="center"| 1 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''2'''
|- align="center"
|May 4 || Utah ||align="center"| 1 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|- align="center"
|May 7 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || Utah ||align="center"| 1
|- align="center"
|May 9 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Utah ||align="center"| 2 (OT)
|}
''Long Beach wins best-of-seven series 4-0.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
 
===(M1) San Antonio Dragons vs. (S2) Houston Aeros===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Houston Aeros vs San Antonio Dragons'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|May 2 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || San Antonio ||align="center"| 0
|- align="center
|May 3 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || San Antonio ||align="center"| 3 (OT)
|- align="center"
|May 6 || San Antonio ||align="center"| 2 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''5'''
|- align="center"
|May 9 || '''San Antonio''' ||align="center"| '''2''' || Houston ||align="center"| 1
|- align="center"
|May 10 || San Antonio ||align="center"| 3 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|}
Houston wins best-of-seven series 4-1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
===(N1) Detroit Vipers vs. (C2) Cleveland Lumberjacks===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Cleveland Lumberjacks vs Detroit Vipers'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|May 16 || Cleveland ||align="center"| 2 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|- align="center"
|May 18 || Cleveland ||align="center"| 1 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|- align="center"
|May 22 || Detroit ||align="center"| 1 || '''Cleveland''' ||align="center"| '''3'''
|- align="center"
|May 24 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''6''' || Cleveland ||align="center"| 4
|- align="center"
|May 25 || Cleveland ||align="center"| 1 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''3'''
|}
''Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
 
===(S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (S2) Houston Aeros===
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Houston Aeros vs Long Beach Ice Dogs'''
!width="50"| Date
!width="90"| Visitors
!width="25"| Score
!width="90"| Home
!width="25"| Score
|- align="center"
|May 15 || Long Beach ||align="center"| 1 || '''Houston''' ||align="center"| '''4'''
|- align="center"
|May 18 || Houston ||align="center"| 3 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''5'''
|- align="center"
|May 19 || Houston ||align="center"| 2 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''5'''
|- align="center"
|May 21 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''5''' || Houston ||align="center"| 3
|- align="center"
|May 22 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''4''' || Houston ||align="center"| 2
|}
''Long Beach wins best-of-seven series 4-1.''{{sfn|Diamond|2000|p=35}}
 
 
===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==
====(N1) Detroit Vipers vs. (S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs====
 
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="2" | 1997 IHL awards
|+ '''Long Beach Ice Dogs vs Detroit Vipers'''
|-
!width="50"| Date
|[[Turner Cup]] || [[Detroit Vipers]]
!width="90"| Visitors
|-
!width="25"| Score
|[[Fred A. Huber Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best regular-season record)</small> || [[Detroit Vipers]]
!width="90"| Home
|-
!width="25"| Score
|Frank Gallagher Trophy:<br><small>(Eastern Conference playoff champion)</small> || [[Detroit Vipers]]
|- align="center"
|-
|May 30 || Long Beach ||align="center"| 3 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''5'''
|Ken Ullyot Trophy: <br><small>(Western Conference playoff champion)</small> || [[Long Beach Ice Dogs]]
|- align="center"
|-
|June 1 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Detroit ||align="center"| 0
|[[John Cullen Award|Comeback Player of the Year Award]]: || [[Kevin Smyth]], [[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]]
|- align="center"
|-
|June 9 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''5''' || Long Beach ||align="center"| 1
|[[Commissioner's Trophy (IHL)|Commissioner's Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best coach)</small> || [[John Van Boxmeer]], [[Long Beach Ice Dogs]]
|- align="center"
|-
|June 11 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''3''' || Long Beach ||align="center"| 1
|[[Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best first-year player)</small> || [[Sergei Samsonov]], [[Detroit Vipers]]
|- align="center"
|-
|June 13 || Detroit ||align="center"| 1 || '''Long Beach''' ||align="center"| '''2''' (OT)
|[[Governor's Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best defenceman)</small> || [[Brad Werenka]], [[Indianapolis Ice]]
|- align="center"
|-
|June 15 || Long Beach ||align="center"| 0 || '''Detroit''' ||align="center"| '''2'''
|[[IHL Man of the Year|I. John Snider, II Trophy]]:<br><small>(Leadership and humanitarian contribution)</small> || [[Tim Breslin]], [[Chicago Wolves]]
|-
|[[Ironman Award]]:<br><small>(Best two-way player over 82 games)</small> || [[Brad Werenka]], [[Indianapolis Ice]]
|-
|[[James Gatschene Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Most valuable player, regular season)</small> || [[Frédéric Chabot]], [[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]]
|-
|[[James Norris Memorial Trophy (IHL)|James Norris Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Goaltenders with fewest goals allowed)</small> || [[Rich Parent]] and [[Jeff Reese]], [[Detroit Vipers]]
|-
|[[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]]
|-
|[[Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Player with most points)</small> || [[Rob Brown (ice hockey)|Rob Brown]], [[Chicago Wolves]]
|-
|[[Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy (IHL)|Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy]]:<br><small>(Most valuable player, playoffs)</small> || [[Peter Ciavaglia]], [[Detroit Vipers]]
|-
|}
''Detroit wins 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 ==
Line 539 ⟶ 811:
{{IHL seasons}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 IHL season}}
[[Category:1996 in ice hockey]]
[[Category:19971996–97 in American ice hockey by league|IHL]]
[[Category:1996–97 in AmericanCanadian ice hockey by league|IHL]]
[[Category:International Hockey League (1945–2001) seasons]]