The 1976 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 3, 1976.1976 AHL playoff results The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on May 11, 2008. The top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The two division winners earned byes for the Division Semifinals while the other two teams in each division played best-of-five series. The winners played best-of-seven series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on April 28, 1976, with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs defeating the Hershey Bears four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the second time in team history.Calder Cup champions caldercup.com. Retrieved on May 11, 2008. Coincidentally, the Voyageurs parent club, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in a four-game sweep over the Philadelphia Flyers, making them the first pair of teams in history to win both the AHL's Calder Cup and NHL's Stanley Cup in the same season. Even more impressive is that these same two teams would accomplish this feat again the following year.
Playoff seeds After the 1975–76 AHL regular season, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Nova Scotia Voyageurs finished the regular season with the best overall record.1975–76 AHL standings The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on May 11, 2008. The two division champions earned byes to the Division Finals.
Northern Division Nova Scotia Voyageurs - 104 points Rochester Americans - 93 points Providence Reds - 76 points
Southern Division Hershey Bears - 84 points Richmond Robins - 66 points New Haven Nighthawks - 66 points
Bracket
In each round, the team that earned more points during the regular season 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 due to arena scheduling conflicts and travel considerations.Frequently asked questions theahl.com. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
Division Semifinals Note: Home team is listed first.
Byes Nova Scotia Voyageurs (Northern Division regular-season champions) Hershey Bears (Southern Division regular-season champions)
Northern Division
(2) Rochester Americans vs. (3) Providence Reds
Southern Division
(2) Richmond Robins vs. (3) New Haven Nighthawks
Division Finals
Northern Division
(1) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (2) Rochester Americans
Southern Division
(1) Hershey Bears vs. (2) Richmond Robins
Calder Cup Final
(N1) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (S1) Hershey Bears
See also 1975–76 AHL season List of AHL seasons
References