The 1972 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 4, 1972.The eight teams that qualified played best-of-7 series for Division Semifinals and Finals. The division champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 15, 1972 with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, in their inaugural season in Nova Scotia, defeating the Baltimore Clippers four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the first time in team history. The Voyageurs also became the first Canadian team to win the Calder Cup.
Baltimore and Cincinnati set an AHL playoff record for most goals scored by both teams in one game with 18, when Baltimore beat Cincinnati 10-8 in game 5 of the Southern division final. Baltimore's Howie Menard set an AHL record for most points in one playoff game with 7 against Cleveland in game 5 of their Southern division semifinal. Two players have tied this record since then. Nova Scotia's Michel Plasse set an AHL record for lowest goals against average in one playoff, posting a 1.25 GAA.
After the 1971–72 AHL regular season, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Boston Braves finished the regular season with the best overall record, winning the head-to-head tiebreaker with Nova Scotia.
In each round, the higher seed 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: Home team is listed first.
Eastern Division[]
(1) Boston Braves vs. (4) Providence Reds[]
April 4
Boston Braves
8 - 1
Providence Reds
April 8
Boston Braves
2 - 1
Providence Reds
April 9
Providence Reds
6 - 2
Boston Braves
April 11
Providence Reds
4 - 5
OT
Boston Braves
April 15
Boston Braves
3 - 2
Providence Reds
Boston won series 4 – 1
(2) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (3) Springfield Kings[]
April 4
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
4 - 0
Springfield Kings
April 7
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
6 - 0
Springfield Kings
April 8
Springfield Kings
3 - 2
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 9
Springfield Kings
2 - 5
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 12
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
11 - 1
Springfield Kings
Nova Scotia won series 4 - 1
Western Division[]
(1) Baltimore Clippers vs. (4) Cleveland Barons[]
April 6
Baltimore Clippers
3 - 5
Cleveland Barons
April 7
Baltimore Clippers
6 - 0
Cleveland Barons
April 8
Cleveland Barons
1 - 3
Baltimore Clippers
April 11
Cleveland Barons
5 - 3
Baltimore Clippers
April 12
Baltimore Clippers
10 - 1
Cleveland Barons
April 14
Cleveland Barons
1 - 4
Baltimore Clippers
Baltimore won series 4 - 2
(2) Hershey Bears vs. (3) Cincinnati Swords[]
April 5
Hershey Bears
4 - 5
OT
Cincinnati Swords
April 8
Hershey Bears
2 - 5
Cincinnati Swords
April 9
Cincinnati Swords
7 - 2
Hershey Bears
April 11
Cincinnati Swords
3 - 1
Hershey Bears
Cincinnati won series 4 - 0
Division Finals[]
Eastern Division[]
(1) Boston Braves vs. (2) Nova Scotia Voyageurs[]
April 17
Boston Braves
1 - 4
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 22
Boston Braves
0 - 2
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 24
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
4 - 2
Boston Braves
April 26
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
5 - 2
Boston Braves
Nova Scotia won series 4 - 0
Western Division[]
(1) Baltimore Clippers vs. (3) Cincinnati Swords[]
April 18
Baltimore Clippers
7 - 4
Cincinnati Swords
April 19
Baltimore Clippers
4 - 3
Cincinnati Swords
April 21
Cincinnati Swords
3 - 2
OT
Baltimore Clippers
April 23
Cincinnati Swords
4 - 1
Baltimore Clippers
April 28
Baltimore Clippers
10 - 8
Cincinnati Swords
April 29
Cincinnati Swords
1 - 3
Baltimore Clippers
Baltimore won series 4 - 2
Calder Cup Final[]
(W1) Baltimore Clippers vs. (E2) Nova Scotia Voyageurs[]