The 1983 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 5, 1983.[1] The eight teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 19, 1983, with the Rochester Americans defeating the Maine Mariners four games to zero to win the Calder Cup for the fourth time in team history.[2]
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.[4]
Division Semifinals
Note: Home team is listed first.
Northern Division
(1) Fredericton Express vs. (4) Adirondack Red Wings
April 6
Fredericton Express
4 - 2
Adirondack Red Wings
April 9
Fredericton Express
4 - 3
Adirondack Red Wings
April 12
Adirondack Red Wings
6 - 1
Fredericton Express
April 14
Adirondack Red Wings
2 - 4
Fredericton Express
April 16
Adirondack Red Wings
5 - 4
2OT
Fredericton Express
April 19
Fredericton Express
6 - 5
3OT
Adirondack Red Wings
Fredericton won series 4 – 2
(2) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (3) Maine Mariners
April 8
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
5 - 3
Maine Mariners
April 10
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
1 - 3
Maine Mariners
April 14
Maine Mariners
3 - 1
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 15
Maine Mariners
2 - 3
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 17
Maine Mariners
2 - 5
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 19
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
4 - 5
Maine Mariners
April 21
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
1 - 4
Maine Mariners
Maine won series 4 - 3
Southern Division
(1) Rochester Americans vs. (4) Binghamton Whalers
April 5
Rochester Americans
5 - 6
Binghamton Whalers
April 7
Binghamton Whalers
3 - 5
Rochester Americans
April 10
Rochester Americans
7 - 5
Binghamton Whalers
April 13
Binghamton Whalers
3 - 4
OT
Rochester Americans
April 14
Rochester Americans
5 - 2
Binghamton Whalers
Rochester won series 4 - 1
(2) Hershey Bears vs. (3) New Haven Nighthawks
April 6
Hershey Bears
1 - 2
New Haven Nighthawks
April 9
Hershey Bears
6 - 2
New Haven Nighthawks
April 12
New Haven Nighthawks
4 - 3
Hershey Bears
April 13
New Haven Nighthawks
3 - 2
3OT
Hershey Bears
April 15
New Haven Nighthawks
7 - 1
Hershey Bears
New Haven won series 4 - 1
Division Finals
Northern Division
(1) Fredericton Express vs. (3) Maine Mariners
April 26
Fredericton Express
1 - 2
Maine Mariners
April 28
Fredericton Express
6 - 3
Maine Mariners
May 1
Maine Mariners
3 - 2
OT
Fredericton Express
May 4
Maine Mariners
3 - 2
Fredericton Express
May 7
Maine Mariners
4 - 7
Fredericton Express
May 9
Fredericton Express
3 - 4
Maine Mariners
Maine won series 4 - 2
Southern Division
(1) Rochester Americans vs. (3) New Haven Nighthawks