The 1980 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League

American Hockey League

The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...

 began on April 8, 1980. The playoff format was expanded from 6 to 8 teams. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-7 series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup

Calder Cup

The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...

. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 17, 1980 with the Hershey Bears

Hershey Bears

The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...

 defeating the New Brunswick Hawks

New Brunswick Hawks

The New Brunswick Hawks were a professional ice hockey team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. Home games were played at the Moncton Coliseum. They were a member of the American Hockey League between 1978 and 1982. The Hawks operated as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Black Hawks and the...

 four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the sixth time in team history.

Playoff seeds

After the 1979–80 AHL regular season

1979–80 AHL season

The 1979–80 AHL season was the 44th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to play 80 games each. The New Haven Nighthawks finished first overall in the regular season...

, the top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The New Haven Nighthawks

New Haven Nighthawks

The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...

 finished the regular season with the best overall record.

Northern Division

1. New Brunswick Hawks
   New Brunswick Hawks
   The New Brunswick Hawks were a professional ice hockey team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. Home games were played at the Moncton Coliseum. They were a member of the American Hockey League between 1978 and 1982. The Hawks operated as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Black Hawks and the...
   
    - 96 points
2. Nova Scotia Voyageurs
   Nova Scotia Voyageurs
   The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
   
    - 93 points
3. Maine Mariners
   Maine Mariners
   The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
   
    - 93 points
4. Adirondack Red Wings
   Adirondack Red Wings
   The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
   
    - 75 points

Southern Division

1. New Haven Nighthawks
   New Haven Nighthawks
   The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
   
    - 101 points
2. Hershey Bears
   Hershey Bears
   The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
   
    - 76 points
3. Syracuse Firebirds - 69 points
4. Rochester Americans
   Rochester Americans
   The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
   
    - 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.

Division Semifinals

Note 1: Home team is listed first.

Note 2: The number of overtime periods played (where applicable) is not indicated

(1) New Brunswick Hawks vs. (4) Adirondack Red Wings

(2) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (3) Maine Mariners

(1) New Haven Nighthawks vs. (4) Rochester Americans

(2) Hershey Bears vs. (3) Syracuse Firebirds

(1) New Brunswick Hawks vs. (2) Maine Mariners

(1) New Haven Nighthawks vs. (2) Hershey Bears

(N1) New Brunswick Hawks vs. (S2) Hershey Bears