The 1979 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 11, 1979.[1] 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-5 series. The winners played best-of-7 series with the team that received the first round bye in their division. The winners of each Division Final played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 11, 1979 with the Maine Mariners defeating the New Haven Nighthawks four games to zero to win the Calder Cup for the second consecutive year, and the third time in team history.[2] Maine also beat new Haven in the 1978 Calder Cup Final.[3]
In game 3 of the Southern division final, New Haven scored 15 goals against Binghamton to set an AHL record for most goals scored by one team in one playoff game.[4]
After the 1978–79 AHL regular season, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Maine Mariners finished the regular season with the best overall record for the second consecutive year.[5][6] The two division champions earned byes to the Division Finals.[1]
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.[7]
Division Semifinals[]
Note: Home team is listed first.
Byes[]
Maine Mariners (Northern Division regular-season champions)
New Haven Nighthawks (Southern Division regular-season champions)
Northern Division[]
(2) New Brunswick Hawks vs. (3) Nova Scotia Voyageurs[]
April 11
New Brunswick Hawks
5 - 4
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 12
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
5 - 4
OT
New Brunswick Hawks
April 14
New Brunswick Hawks
4 - 3
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 17
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
7 - 1
New Brunswick Hawks
April 19
New Brunswick Hawks
2 - 4
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
Nova Scotia won series 3 - 2
Southern Division[]
(2) Hershey Bears vs. (3) Binghamton Dusters[]
April 11
Hershey Bears
4 - 3
Binghamton Dusters
April 12
Binghamton Dusters
3 - 0
Hershey Bears
April 14
Hershey Bears
2 - 6
Binghamton Dusters
April 17
Binghamton Dusters
5 - 2
Hershey Bears
Binghamton won series 3 - 1
Division Finals[]
Northern Division[]
(1) Maine Mariners vs. (3) Nova Scotia Voyageurs[]
April 22
Maine Mariners
7 - 2
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 24
Maine Mariners
4 - 1
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 27
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
7 - 5
Maine Mariners
April 28
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
2 - 5
Maine Mariners
April 30
Maine Mariners
2 - 3
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
May 2
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
3 - 5
Maine Mariners
Maine won series 4 - 2
Southern Division[]
(1) New Haven Nighthawks vs. (3) Binghamton Dusters[]
April 19
New Haven Nighthawks
4 - 2
Binghamton Dusters
April 20
Binghamton Dusters
3 - 2
New Haven Nighthawks
April 23
New Haven Nighthawks
15 - 1
Binghamton Dusters
April 25
Binghamton Dusters
1 - 6
New Haven Nighthawks
April 27
New Haven Nighthawks
3 - 4
Binghamton Dusters
April 29
Binghamton Dusters
3 - 7
New Haven Nighthawks
New Haven won series 4 - 2
Calder Cup Final[]
(N1) Maine Mariners vs. (S1) New Haven Nighthawks[]
