1983 Playoffs

Round 1

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh (1) vs Quebec (8)

After Pittsburgh takes the first two games at home, Quebec jumps to a 3-2 series lead before a Danny Stevenson hat-trick in game six turns the momentum. Nate Carroll's two-goal effort in game seven propels the Stingers to the second round.

Nova Scotia (2) vs Boston (7)

After surrendering a 2-0 lead in game one, the Bulldogs never got back into the series. Rookie Brent MacDonald played brilliantly in games three and four as Nova Scotia would advance to round 2 for the first time in a decade with a four game sweep.

Washington (3) vs Long Island (6)

After splitting the first four games, the Generals moved ahead 3-2 with a decisive 6-1 victory in game five. The series appeared to be over. However in game six, Stuart Burns scored twice including the OT winner to tie the series. Burns scored again in OT in game seven to give Long Island their first-ever series victory.

Ottawa (4) vs Montreal (5)

Ottawa won the first two games decisively at home, but Montreal eked out an overtime win in game three on a goal from veteran Gilbert Houle. It would be the last goal of Houle’s career as Ottawa won the next two in overtime to advance in five games. Houle announced his retirement following the loss in game five.

Western Conference

Chicago (1) vs Calgary (8)

This series was tight all the way through. The teams split the first four, Chicago moved ahead with an OT win in game five, and Calgary tied it with an OT win of their own in game six.  Vladimir Gaganov scored two goals including the eventual winner in a 4-1 game seven victory for the Shamrocks.

California (2) vs LA (7)

The battle of California was not nearly as close as it had been previously. Stuart Holly and Ray Fowler each had two goals in game three as LA won 6-5 to bring the series deficit to within one. But early in game four, Fowler suffered a concussion after a devastating hit from Bobby Murphy. Fowler missed the remainder of the series and the Nuggets took it in five games.

St. Louis (3) vs Minnesota (6)

David Appleby made life a living nightmare for Bobby Sorel, scoring a hat-trick in game one, followed by four goals in a 6-1 game two rout. After Sorel allowed two goals in on the first two Spirits shots – including one from Appleby- in game three, the ‘Jacks pulled him in favour of Rob Gilliard. Gilliard stopped 37 of 38 shots directed at him but the Spirits won anyway 3-2. Game four was the first time in Lumberjacks history that Sorel did not start a playoff game as Gilliard got the nod once again. It did not go so well for the 28-year-old netminder this time, however, as Appleby and Grant Millen each scored two in a 4-2 St. Louis win to complete the sweep.

Seattle (4) vs Denver (5)

The Grey Wolves entered their second playoff appearance determined for a better showing than their first. Denver seemed to have other plans, however, as the Bulls jumped to a quick 2-0 series lead with a pair of overtime victories. Back in Seattle, the Wolves responded with an overtime win of their own in game three before tying the series with a 5-3 victory in game four. Seattle kept rolling as the series returned to Denver with a 5-2 victory, then finally clinched their first-ever series win in game six with a 4-1 win.

Round 2

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh (1) vs Long Island (6)

Long Island had high hopes after their huge upset over Washington, unfortunately they would run into a very strong Stingers squad in round 2. Led by Danny Stevenson, who scored four goals in the series, and brilliant goaltending from rookie Jakob Martensson, The Stingers made short work of the Concordes in four straight games.

Nova Scotia (2) vs Ottawa (4)

Brent MacDonald continued his solid play in net for the Claymores in game 1, stopping fifteen shots in the first period. Disaster struck early in the second, however, when Tony Knight’s point shot hit MacDonald square in the mask, bending one of the bars and giving him a concussion. Ottawa went on to win the game 4-3 in overtime and eventually took a commanding 3-1 series lead. MacDonald courageously returned for game five in Halifax and his presence sparked the Claymores to a 3-2 win, but it was too little too late. Nova Scotia made a strong push in game six, forcing the game to double overtime, but Derrick Rowe scored early in the second OT to give Ottawa a 4-3 win and a 4-2 series victory.

Western Conference

Chicago (1) vs Seattle (4)

What should’ve been a blowout actually turned out to be one of the most thrilling series of all time. The Shamrocks were heavily favoured after their record breaking season, while the Grey Wolves were just lucky to be in the second round at all. However it was the Wolves that found themselves up 3-1 in the series after the first four games. Chicago was facing yet another playoff failure when they received a visit from their original owner and founder, 91-year-old Fred Garfield. Garfield had been in the hospital and his health was beginning to fade. Doctors said he had only a couple of months left to live. Defying doctors’ orders he insisted on attending all Shamrocks home playoff games and his presence inspired the team to two big wins to force the series to a game seven. Game seven would go into overtime where Rudy Hunter scored on a breakaway to send Chicago to the Western Conference Finals for the fourth time in six seasons.

California (2) vs St. Louis (3)

The California Nuggets were coming off a dominating performance against LA in the first round, but facing David Appleby and the high-flying Spirits proved to be their biggest challenge yet. Game one went to the Nuggets, but that was as good as it got for California for the next three games as Appleby put the team on his back, scoring four goals in three games while Grant Millen scored three as St. Louis jumped to a 3-1 series lead. The Nuggets won a game five in which they were badly outplayed purely out of desperation. Game six was never as close as the score would indicate. Millen scored his first career playoff hat-trick as the defending champions closed out the Nuggets and advanced to the Western Conference Final.

Round 3

Eastern Conference Final

Pittsburgh (1) vs Ottawa (4)

Ottawa entered the conference final round full of confidence after two fairly dominating performances in the first two round. However the Stingers were a whole new level of competition. Danny Stevenson once again led the charge for Pittsburgh as they jumped to a 2-0 series lead at home. Back in Ottawa, the Beavers managed a hard-fought overtime win to come within a game, but the Stingers proved to be too much for them in game four. Ottawa scored early and nursed the lead through two periods, but Risto Rautianen, Nate Carroll, and Greg Holt each scored in the third period as Pittsburgh won the game 3-1 and moved ahead in the series by the same tally. Stevenson found his way back on the scoresheet in game five with two goals after being kept goalless in games three and four as the Stingers won 4-1 to return to the Lewis Cup Finals for the second year in a row. “It feels great to be back in the final, but we still have unfinished business” said Stevenson. “Now we have something you don’t always get in hockey and that’s a second chance to finish what we started last year.”

Chicago (1) vs St. Louis (3)

Before the first puck was even dropped this series was guaranteed to be a classic and it did not disappoint. The defending champion Spirits were feeling cocky entering the rematch from the previous year. “This is just another step for us, make no mistake, we will be in the finals again this year.” Said winger Jay Cross when asked about facing the powerful Shamrocks. Chicago was determined to make Cross eat his words, winning the first two games at home, both in overtime. Game two set a PHL record for most overtime games in a single playoff year, and there would be more. St. Louis won handily 6-2 in game three with Dave Appleby scoring twice, but Chicago would take a commanding 3-1 series lead with another OT win in game four. The Spirits were on their heels in game five but responded with an emotional 3-2 win in a game that saw frustration boil over in the third period as several fights broke out. Game six went into triple OT before Kevin Cummins found the back of the net to force a game seven in Chicago. Fred Garfield Sr., who had been back in the hospital, once again insisted on attending game seven and his presence once again inspired his team. Trying desperately to tie a 3-2 game at the end of the third, St. Louis pulled Ricky Spooner. After a couple of huge saves by Time Massey veteran Eddie Gibbs finally cleared the zone and slid the puck into the open net. Chicago was headed to the Lewis Cup Finals for the first time in 18 years.