1997–98 CHL season

The 1997–98 CHL season was the sixth season of the Central Hockey League (CHL).
==Franchise changes==
*The San Antonio Iguanas sat out the season after the Peoria Rivermen of the IHL relocated to San Antonio as the San Antonio Dragons for the 1996-97 season.  Both teams used the Freeman Coliseum for their home games. The Iguanas would return after the Dragons folded after the 1997-98 season.
*The Nashville Nighthawks were renamed the Nashville Ice Flyers.
*The Fayetteville Force were added as an expansion team.
==Regular season==
===Final standings===
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SOL = Shootout loss; Pts = Points; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against
y - clinched league title; x - clinched playoff spot; e - eliminated from playoff contention
Eastern Division 	GP	W 	L 	SOL	GF 	GA 	Pts
Columbus Cottonmouths 	70	51	13	6 	341	219	108
Nashville Ice Flyers 	70	41	19	10 	274	246	92
Huntsville Channel Cats	70	40	22	8 	333	281	88
Macon Whoopee 	70	38	25	7 	249	234	83
Fayetteville Force 	70	25	42	3 	247	348	53
Western Division 	GP	W 	L 	SOL	GF 	GA 	Pts
Oklahoma City Blazers	70	48	19	3 	319	237	99
Wichita Thunder 	70	35	31	4 	302	303	74
Tulsa Oilers 	70	34	31	5 	308	274	73
Memphis RiverKings 	70	25	40	5 	239	287	55
Fort Worth Fire 	70	13	53	4 	214	397	30
==Playoffs==
===Format===
The top four teams in each division qualify. The quarter round was best-of-five. The semifinal and final rounds were best-of-seven.
===Quarterfinals===
*Oklahoma City defeated Memphis, 3 games to 1; 3-5, 3-0, 5-4 (ot), 3-1
*Wichita defeated Tulsa, 3 games to 1; 4-3, 4-5, 4-3, 4-3
*Columbus defeated Macon, 3 games to none; 4-3, 6-3, 2-0
*Nashville defeated Huntsville, 3 games to none; 2-1, 7-6, 7-4
===Semifinals===
*Columbus defeated Nashville, 4 games to 2; 5-2, 6-2, 2-4, 6-3, 1-3, 8-4
*Wichita defeated Oklahoma City, 4 games to 3; 3-2, 6-2, 3-2. 3-4, 1-4, 3-5, 5-4 (ot)
===Final===
*Columbus defeated Wichita, 4 games to none; 8-0, 6-3, 6-2, 4-2
==CHL awards==
Ray Miron Cup: 	Columbus Cottonmouths
Adams Cup: 	Columbus Cottonmouths
Coach of the Year: 	David Lohrei (Nashville)
Most Valuable Player: 	Joe Burton (Oklahoma City)
Playoff Most Valuable Player:	Mike Martens (Columbus)
Most Outstanding Goaltender: 	Brian Elder (Oklahoma City)
Most Outstanding Defenseman 	Hardy Sauter (Oklahoma City)
Rookie of the Year 	David Beauregard (Wichita)
Scoring Champion 	Luc Beausoleil (Tulsa)
Community Service Award 	Rod Branch (Tulsa)
==External links==
* 1997–98 CHL season at The Internet Hockey Database
Category:1998 in hockey
Category:Central Hockey League seasons