1996–97 IHL season

(N1) Detroit Vipers vs. (C3) Michigan K-Wings

Detroit wins best-of-three series 3-1.

(N3) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (N4) Quebec Rafales

Quebec wins best-of-five series 3-0.

(N2) Orlando solar bears vs. (N5) Grand Rapids Griffins

Orlando wins best-of-five series 3-2.

(C1) Indianapolis Ice vs. (C2) Cleveland Lumberjacks

Cleveland wins best-of-five series 3-1.

(S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (M4) Milwaukee Admirals

Long Beach wins best-of-five series 3-0.

(M2) Kansas City Blades vs. (S3) Utah Grizzlies

Utah wins best-of-five series 3-0.

(S2) Houston Aeros vs. (S4) Las Vegas Thunder

Houston wins best-of-three series 3-0.

(M1) San Antonio Dragons vs. (M3) Chicago Wolves

San Antonio wins best-of-five series 3-1.

(N1) Detroit Vipers vs. (N4) Quebec Rafales

Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-2.

(N2) Orlando Solar Bears vs. (C2) Cleveland Lumberjacks

Cleveland wins best-of-seven series 4-1.

(S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (S3) Utah Grizzlies

Long Beach wins best-of-seven series 4-0.

(M1) San Antonio Dragons vs. (S2) Houston Aeros

Houston wins best-of-seven series 4-1.

(N1) Detroit Vipers vs. (C2) Cleveland Lumberjacks

Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-1.

(S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs vs. (S2) Houston Aeros

Long Beach wins best-of-seven series 4-1.

(N1) Detroit Vipers vs. (S1) Long Beach Ice Dogs

Detroit wins Turner Cup 4-2.