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Cincinnati Swords

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Cincinnati Swords
CityCincinnati, Ohio
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated1971–1974
Home arenaCincinnati Gardens
Colorsnavy and yellow
AffiliateBuffalo Sabres
Championships
Regular season titlesone (1972–73)
Division titlesone (1972–73)
Calder Cupsone (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 to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons. 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 qualified for the playoffs. After a sweep over the Hershey Bears, the Swords lost to the Baltimore Clippers 4-2. The 1972–73 season was not a disappointing one, however. The Swords broke numerous AHL records, including 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 became Calder Cup champions after defeating the previous Calder Cup champions, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, 4-1.

The third season was the final season for the Swords. They qualified for the playoffs, but lost to the eventual Calder Cup champions later that year, Hershey Bears, 4-1.

In 1974, Cincinnati was granted an expansion franchise in the World Hockey Association (the Cincinnati Stingers) to begin play in 1975-76. The Sabres then elected to fold the Swords after the 1973–74 season.

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