The 1973 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 3, 1973. 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, 1973 with the Cincinnati Swords defeating the Nova Scotia Voyageurs four games to one to win the only Calder Cup in team history.
After the 1972–73 AHL regular season, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Cincinnati Swords finished the regular season with the best overall record.
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: Home team is listed first.
Eastern Division[]
(1) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (4) Providence Reds[]
April 3
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
7 - 2
Providence Reds
April 6
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
5 - 1
Providence Reds
April 8
Providence Reds
4 - 6
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 10
Providence Reds
3 - 4
OT
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
Nova Scotia won series 4 – 0
(2) Boston Braves vs. (3) Rochester Americans[]
April 3
Boston Braves
3 - 2
OT
Rochester Americans
April 7
Boston Braves
6 - 4
Rochester Americans
April 8
Rochester Americans
5 - 4
Boston Braves
April 11
Rochester Americans
5 - 3
Boston Braves
April 13
Boston Braves
5 - 4
Rochester Americans
April 15
Rochester Americans
4 - 6
Boston Braves
Boston won series 4 - 2
Western Division[]
(1) Cincinnati Swords vs. (4) Richmond Robins[]
April 4
Cincinnati Swords
5 - 1
Richmond Robins
April 6
Cincinnati Swords
8 - 3
Richmond Robins
April 8
Richmond Robins
4 - 7
Cincinnati Swords
April 10
Richmond Robins
4 - 5
OT
Cincinnati Swords
Cincinnati won series 4 - 0
(2) Hershey Bears vs. (3) Virginia Wings[]
April 6
Virginia Wings
2 - 3
Hershey Bears
April 8
Virginia Wings
3 - 2
Hershey Bears
April 10
Hershey Bears
5 - 4
OT
Virginia Wings
April 12
Hershey Bears
7 - 4
Virginia Wings
April 14
Hershey Bears
4 - 5
Virginia Wings
April 15
Virginia Wings
7 - 0
Hershey Bears
April 17
Hershey Bears
3 - 5
Virginia Wings
Virginia won series 4 - 3
Division Finals[]
Eastern Division[]
(1) Nova Scotia Voyageurs vs. (2) Boston Braves[]
April 18
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
8 - 1
Boston Braves
April 20
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
8 - 2
Boston Braves
April 22
Boston Braves
1 - 4
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 24
Boston Braves
1 - 7
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
Nova Scotia won series 4 - 0
Western Division[]
(1) Cincinnati Swords vs. (3) Virginia Wings[]
April 19
Cincinnati Swords
2 - 3
Virginia Wings
April 22
Cincinnati Swords
6 - 2
Virginia Wings
April 24
Virginia Wings
2 - 4
Cincinnati Swords
April 26
Virginia Wings
2 - 0
Cincinnati Swords
May 1
Cincinnati Swords
4 - 3
Virginia Wings
May 2
Virginia Wings
1 - 5
Cincinnati Swords
Cincinnati won series 4 - 2
Calder Cup Final[]
(W1) Cincinnati Swords vs. (E1) Nova Scotia Voyageurs[]