American Hockey League Wiki
Cincinnati Swords
CincinnatiSwords
City: Cincinnati, Ohio
League: American Hockey League
Operated: 1971–1974
Home Arena: Cincinnati Gardens
Colors: navy and yellow
Affiliates: Buffalo Sabres
Championships
Regular Season Titles: one (1972–73)
Division Championships: one (1972–73)
Calder Cups: one (1972–73)

The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team. Originally the Sabres wished to place the team in Florida but this was voted down by the AHL, so the Sabres instead put the franchise in Cincinnati. Although they were only in existence of three years, the Cincinnati Swords were immensely popular with their fan base.

In their first season, they would qualify for the playoffs. After a sweep over the Hershey Bears, the Swords would lose to the Baltimore Clippers 4-2. The 1972–73 season would not be a disappointing one, however. The Swords would change the record books (up to that point). These would include most points in a season (113), most wins in a season (54), most homes wins (32), most road wins (22), most points at home (65), and most points in road games (48). They outscored opponents 351-206. After a sweep over the Richmond Robins and a 4-2 series win over the Virginia Wings in the first and second rounds of the playoffs, the Cincinnati Swords would become Calder Cup champions after defeating the previous Calder Cup champions, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, 4-1.

The third season would the final season for the Swords. They qualified for the playoffs, but would lose to the Calder Cup champions later that year, Hershey Bears, 4-1. After the 1973–74 season, the Swords would soon jump to the World Hockey Association as the Cincinnati Stingers. Although they would not start until the 1975 season, the Sabres would pull the plug with their affiliate. As the Swords were in their playoff series, the Stingers would be advertised. Fans were angered by this, and that is why they would were not very supportive of the new hockey franchise.

Season-by-Season Results[]

Regular Season[]

Season Games Won Lost Tied Points Goals
For
Goals
Against
Standing
1971–72 76 30 28 18 78 252 258 3rd, West
1972–73 76 54 17 5 113 351 206 1st, West
1973–74 76 40 25 11 91 273 233 3rd, South

Playoffs[]

Season 1st Round 2nd Round Finals
1971–72 W, 4-0, Hershey L, 2-4, Baltimore
1972–73 W, 4-0, Richmond W, 4-2, Virginia W, 4-1, Nova Scotia
1973–74 L, 1-4, Hershey