1977 WHA playoffs

Last updated

1977 WHA playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 9 – May 26, 1977
Season 1976–77
Teams8
Final positions
Champions Quebec Nordiques (1st title)
Runner-up Winnipeg Jets
Semifinalists
←  1976
1978  →

The 1977 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1976-1977 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Quebec Nordiques defeating the Western Division champion Winnipeg Jets in seven games for their first and only Avco Cup championship. [1] Serge Bernier was named the WHA Playoff MVP. [2]

Contents

Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
E1 Quebec Nordiques 4
E4 New England Whalers 1
E1Quebec Nordiques4
Eastern Division
E3 Indianapolis Racers 1
E2 Cincinnati Stingers 0
E3 Indianapolis Racers 4
E1Quebec Nordiques4
W2 Winnipeg Jets 3
W1 Houston Aeros 4
W4 Edmonton Oilers 1
W1 Houston Aeros 2
Western Division
W2Winnipeg Jets4
W2 Winnipeg Jets 4
W3 San Diego Mariners 3

Division Semifinals

Eastern Division Semifinals

(E1) Quebec Nordiques vs. (E4) New England Whalers

April 9New England Whalers2–5
(0–2, 2–0, 0–3)		Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec
Bruce Landon Goalies Richard Brodeur
Gordie Roberts
Tom Webster 		Goals Wally Weir
André Boudrias
François Lacombe
Pierre Guite
Réal Cloutier
20
(6–7–7)		Shots21
(7–6–8)
April 12Quebec Nordiques7–3
(2–1, 3–0, 2–2)		New England Whalers Colisée de Québec
Richard Brodeur Goalies Cap Raeder
Réal Cloutier (2)
J. C. Tremblay
Paulin Bordeleau
Serge Bernier
Curt Brackenbury
Pierre Guite 		Goals Dave Keon (2)
John McKenzie
28
(12–7–9)		Shots34
(8–11–15)
April 14Quebec Nordiques4–3 (OT)
(1–1, 2–1, 0–1, 1–0)		New England Whalers Hartford Civic Center
Richard Brodeur Goalies Christer Abrahamsson
Serge Bernier (2)
Paulin Bordeleau
GW - Paul Baxter (1:50)		Goals Gordie Roberts
Mike Antonovich
John McKenzie
36
(11–13–8–4)		Shots38
(13–18–7–0)
April 16Quebec Nordiques4–6
(2–3, 0–1, 2–2)		New England Whalers Hartford Civic Center
Richard Brodeur / Serge Aubry Goalies Bruce Landon
Réal Cloutier (2)
Pierre Guite
Bob Fitchner 		Goals Dave Keon
Jack Carlson
Larry Pleau
Mike Rogers
George Lyle
Mike Antonovich  
33
(10–9–14)		Shots31
(10–8–13)
April 19New England Whalers0–3
(0–1, 0–1, 0–1)		Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec
Bruce Landon / Christer Abrahamsson Goalies Richard Brodeur
No scoringGoals André Boudrias
Serge Bernier
Bob Fitchner
19
(5–6–8)		Shots36
(12–14–10)

(E3) Indianapolis Racers vs. (E2) Cincinnati Stingers

Game 1 went to three overtimes before Gene Peacosh won it with his goal, concluding a total game length of 108:40, shattering the previous longest overtime game in WHA history (69:44, 1973). [3]

April 9Indianapolis Racers4–3 (3OT)
(1–1, 1–1, 1–1, 0–0, 0–0, 1–0)		Cincinnati Stingers Riverfront Coliseum
Paul Hoganson Goalies Norm Lapointe
Mark Lomenda (2)
Reg Thomas
GW - Gene Peacosh (8:40)		Goals Rich LeDuc
Dennis Abgrall
Claude Larose
52
(12–10–5–8–12–5)		Shots59
(9–15–13–8–11–3)
April 12Indianapolis Racers7–2
(3–0, 2–1, 2–1)		Cincinnati Stingers Riverfront Coliseum
Michel Dion Goalies Jacques Caron / Norm Lapointe
Reg Thomas (2)
Mark Lomenda
Rene LeClerc
Nick Harbaruk
Michel Parizeau
Blair MacDonald 		Goals Dennis Abgrall
Ron Plumb
31
(7-14-10)		Shots32
(14-10-8)
April 14Cincinnati Stingers3–5
(1–2, 0–1, 2–2)		Indianapolis Racers Market Square Arena
Norm Lapointe Goalies Paul Hoganson
Peter Marsh (2)
Claude Larose 		Goals Blair MacDonald (3)
Brian McDonald (2)
33
(14-4-15)		Shots23
(6-9-8)
April 16Cincinnati Stingers1–3
(0–1, 0–1, 1–1)		Indianapolis Racers Market Square Arena
Norm Lapointe Goalies Michel Dion
Greg Carroll Goals Reg Thomas
Brian McDonald
Al Karlander
26
(7-13-6)		Shots24
(8-5-11)

Western Division Semifinals

(W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W4) Edmonton Oilers

April 13Edmonton Oilers3–4 (OT)
(1–0, 1–2, 1–1, 0–1)		Houston Aeros The Summitt
Jean-Louis Levasseur Goalies Ron Grahame
Gregg Boddy
Randy Rota
Glen Sather 		Goals Rich Preston
Larry Lund
Ted Taylor
GW - Morris Lukowich (13:11)
27
(8–5–8–6)		Shots45
(11–8–14–12)
April 15Edmonton Oilers2–6
(0–1, 1–3, 1–2)		Houston Aeros The Summitt
Jean-Louis Levasseur Goalies Ron Grahame
Brett Callighen (2)Goals Don Larway
Al McLeod
Marty Howe
Rich Preston
Terry Ruskowski
Cam Connor
6 8 10 - 24Shots9 12 8 - 29
April 17Houston Aeros2–7
(1–3, 1–2, 0–2)		Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Coliseum
Ron Grahame Goalies Ken Broderick
Gordie Howe
Mark Howe 		Goals Brett Callighen (2)
Bryan Campbell (2)
Dave Langevin
Gavin Kirk
Randy Rota
7 12 8 - 27Shots14 17 9 - 40
April 20Houston Aeros4–1
(2–1, 1–0, 1–0)		Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Coliseum
Wayne Rutledge Goalies Ken Broderick
Morris Lukowich (3)
Ted Taylor 		Goals Claude St. Sauveur
27
(7-8-12)		Shots34
(14-9-11)
April 22Edmonton Oilers3–4
(1–2, 2–1, 0–1)		Houston Aeros The Summitt
Ken Broderick Goalies Wayne Rutledge
Bryan Campbell
Dave Langevin
Randy Rota 		Goals Rich Preston
Ted Taylor
Gordie Howe
0:32 (3rd) - Ron Hansis
9 8 3 - 20Shots15 6 7 - 28

(W2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (W3) San Diego Mariners

April 10San Diego Mariners1–5
(0–2, 0–2, 1–1)		Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena
Ken Lockett Goalies Joe Daley
Ray Adduono Goals Bobby Hull (2)
Anders Hedberg
Danny Lawson
Willy Lindström
11 6 10 - 27Shots13 20 6 - 39
April 12San Diego Mariners1–4
(1–1, 0–0, 0–3)		Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena
Ken Lockett Goalies Joe Daley
Norm Ferguson Goals Bobby Hull (2)
Dave Dunn
Perry Miller
11 5 4 - 20Shots5 12 14 - 31
April 16Winnipeg Jets4–5
(3–0, 1–2, 0–3)		San Diego Mariners San Diego Sports Arena
Joe Daley Goalies Ken Lockett
Lyle Moffat (2)
Peter Sullivan
Willy Lindström 		Goals Joe Noris
Andre Lacroix
Don Burgess
Wayne Rivers
13:46 (3rd) - Rick Sentes
8 10 10 - 28Shots9 10 14 - 33
April 17Winnipeg Jets4–6
(1–3, 3–1, 0–2)		San Diego Mariners San Diego Sports Arena
Joe Daley Goalies Ernie Wakely
Danny Lawson
Bob Guindon
Bobby Hull
Dan Labraaten 		Goals Rick Sentes (2)
Don Burgess
Ray Adduono
Norm Ferguson
Kevin Devine
9 13 5 - 27Shots11 12 4 - 27
April 20San Diego Mariners0–3
(0–1, 0–0, 0–2)		Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena
Ken Lockett Goalies Joe Daley
No scoringGoals Mats Lindh (2)
Willy Lindstrom
14 4 7 - 25Shots12 12 17 - 41
April 22Winnipeg Jets1–3
(0–0, 1–3, 0–0)		San Diego Mariners San Diego Sports Arena
Joe Daley Goalies Ernie Wakely
Anders Hedberg Goals Kevin Morrison
Rick Sentes
John French
2 6 7 - 15Shots11 10 9 - 30
April 24San Diego Mariners3–7
(1–3, 1–1, 1–3)		Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena
Ken Lockett Goalies Joe Daley
Ray Adduono
Joe Noris
John French 		Goals Bobby Hull (2)
Anders Hedberg (2)
Bob Guindon
Ulf Nilsson
Dave Dunn
8 11 12 - 31Shots19 8 13 - 40

Division Finals

Eastern Division Finals

(E1) Quebec Nordiques vs. (E3) Indianapolis Racers

April 23Indianapolis Racers1–3
(0–0, 1–3, 0–0)		Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec
Paul Hoganson Goalies Richard Brodeur
Michel Parizeau Goals Serge Bernier (2)
Paul Baxter
7 11 3 - 21Shots18 12 7 - 37
April 25Indianapolis Racers3–8
(1–2, 1–4, 1–2)		Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec
Michel Dion Goalies Richard Brodeur
Brian McDonald
Pat Stapleton
Reg Thomas 		Goals Steve Sutherland (2)
Réal Cloutier

Marc Tardif
François Lacombe
Serge Bernier
Wally Weir
Norm Dube
10 7 8 - 25Shots10 17 10 - 37
April 28Quebec Nordiques6–5 (OT)
(1–3, 4–1, 0–1, 1–0)		Indianapolis Racers Market Square Arena
Richard Brodeur Goalies Michel Dion
Paulin Bordeleau
André Boudrias
Marc Tardif
Paulin Bordeleau
Serge Bernier
GW - Paulin Bordeleau (5:29)		Goals Reg Thomas (2)
Gene Peacosh (2)
Al Karlander
45
(9–19–11–6)		Shots37
(14–11–10–2)
April 30Quebec Nordiques0–2
(0–0, 0–1, 0–1)		Indianapolis Racers Market Square Arena
Richard Brodeur Goalies Paul Hoganson
No scoringGoals Michel Parizeau
Darryl Maggs
22
(4–10–8)		Shots26
(8–15–3)
May 2Indianapolis Racers3–8
(1–3, 0–2, 2–3)		Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec
Paul Hoganson Goalies Richard Brodeur
Blair MacDonald (2)
Pat Stapleton 		Goals Réal Cloutier (3)
Paulin Bordeleau (2)
Serge Bernier
François Lacombe
Norm Dube
33
(5–11–17)		Shots28
(8–10–10)

Western Division Finals

(W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W2) Winnipeg Jets

This was the fourth and final time these two teams met in the playoffs (1973, 1974, 1976, 1977), for which Winnipeg ended Houston's chance to return for another Avco Cup appearance.

April 26Winnipeg Jets4–3 (OT)
(2–1, 0–2, 1–0, 1–0)		Houston Aeros The Summitt
Joe Daley Goalies Ron Grahame
Peter Sullivan
Anders Hedberg
Ulf Nilsson
GW - Peter Sullivan (8:05)		Goals Marty Howe
John Tonelli
Terry Ruskowski
9 8 4 5 26Shots15 13 8 2 38
April 28Winnipeg Jets2–7
(1–1, 1–5, 0–1)		Houston Aeros The Summitt
Joe Daley / LarssonGoalies Ron Grahame
Ted Green
Anders Hedberg 		Goals Mark Howe (3)
Gordie Howe (2)
Larry Lund
John Schella
9 4 10 - 23Shots21 11 6 - 38
April 30Houston Aeros3–4
(1–1, 1–2, 1–1)		Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena
Ron Grahame Goalies Joe Daley
Terry Ruskowski
John Tonelli
Gordie Howe 		Goals Peter Sullivan
Bobby Hull
Dave Dunn
18:24 (3rd) - Peter Sullivan
9 8 8 - 25Shots12 10 16 - 38
May 1Houston Aeros4–6
(0–2, 3–3, 1–1)		Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena
Ron Grahame Goalies Joe Daley / Larsson
Morris Lukowich (2)
Cam Connor
Marty Howe 		Goals Anders Hedberg (3)
Ulf Nilsson
Dan Labraaten
Dave Dunn
11 10 12 - 33Shots7 16 8 - 31
May 3Winnipeg Jets2–3
(0–0, 1–2, 1–1)		Houston Aeros The Summitt
Joe Daley Goalies Ron Grahame
Mike Ford
Perry Miller 		Goals Terry Ruskowski (2)
6:01 (3rd) - Ted Taylor
8 7 4 - 19Shots7 7 10 - 24
May 5Houston Aeros3–6
(0–1, 1–3, 2–2)		Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena
Ron Grahame Goalies Joe Daley
Terry Ruskowski
Cam Connor
John Tonelli 		Goals Willy Lindström (2)
Barry Long
Bill Lesuk
Bobby Hull
Anders Hedberg
11 3 10 - 24Shots10 11 16 - 37

Avco Cup

11,161 saw the Quebec Nordiques trounce the Winnipeg Jets for six goals in the second period of Game 7 on their way to an 8-2 victory to win their Avco Cup championship. Serge Bernier, who had 14 goals (tied with teammate Réal Cloutier) and a league-leading 22 assists (a postseason record; in contrast, the NHL record was 19 at the time), was named WHA Playoffs MVP. [4] [5]

May 11Winnipeg Jets2–1Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
2:22 - Dan Labraaten (Dunn)
13:30 - Willy Lindström (Labraaten, Sullivan)		Second periodNo scoring
No scoringThird period7:00 - Paulin Bordeleau
Joe Daley 31 saves / 32 shotsGoalie stats Richard Brodeur 25 saves / 27 shots
May 15Winnipeg Jets1–6Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
No scoringFirst period4:32 - Pierre Guite (Boudrias, Lacombe)
13:25 - Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Dube)
15:17 - Steve Sutherland
18:23 - Serge Bernier (Dube, Brackenbury)
No scoringSecond period17:02 - Curt Brackenbury (S. Bernier, Weir)
2:47 - Dan Labraaten (Lindstrom)Third period13:00 - Steve Sutherland (Fitchner, Brackenbury)
Joe Daley 28 saves / 34 shotsGoalie stats Richard Brodeur 26 saves / 27 shots
May 18Quebec Nordiqes1–6Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
2:08 - Curt Brackenbury (Fitchner)First periodNo scoring
No scoringSecond period4:42 - Willy Lindström (Labraaten)
13:16 - Dan Labraaten (Lindstrom)
No scoringThird period0:31 - Anders Hedberg (Ford, Daley)
6:16 - Ulf Nilsson
9:30 - Bill Lesuk (Lindh, Long)
16:33 - Willy Lindström (Sullivan, Labraaten)
Richard Brodeur 15 saves / 21 shotsGoalie stats Joe Daley 23 saves / 24 shots
May 20Quebec Nordiqes4–2Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
7:33 - Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau, J. Bernier)First period11:38 - Perry Miller (Sullivan, Labraaten)
17:17 - Ulf Nilsson (Hull, Hedberg)
1:50 - François Lacombe (Réal Cloutier, Tremblay)
14:53 - Marc Tardif (S. Bernier, C. Bordeleau)		Second periodNo scoring
4:32 - Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau)Third periodNo scoring
Richard Brodeur & Serge Aubry 27 shots / 29 shotsGoalie stats Joe Daley 23 saves / 27 shots
May 22Winnipeg Jets3–8Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
17:04 - Ulf Nilsson (Miller, Hull)First period4:23 - Pierre Guite (Boudrias, J. Bernier)
8:49 - Réal Cloutier (Tardif, Tremblay)
12:10 - Christian Bordeleau (Réal Cloutier)
14:20 - Paulin Bordeleau (Dube, S. Bernier)
6:39 - Mike Ford (Sullivan, Labraaten)
13:43 - Bobby Hull 		Second period4:18 - Réal Cloutier (C. Bordeleau)
6:01 - Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Tremblay)
11:37 - Christian Bordeleau (Réal Cloutier, S. Bernier)
No scoringThird period8:49 - Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau)
Joe Daley 14 saves / 22 shotsGoalie stats Richard Brodeur 29 saves / 32 shots
May 24Quebec Nordiqes3–12Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
3:02 - Réal Cloutier
4:28 - Réal Cloutier (Tardif, C. Bordeleau)
16:35 - Christian Bordeleau (Tardif, Réal Cloutier)		First period1:26 - Bobby Hull (Nilsson, Ford)
9:17 - Dan Labraaten (Sullivan, Lindstrom)
12:09 - Anders Hedberg (Nilsson)
13:47 - Bob Guindon (Huck, Miller)
No scoringSecond period6:28 - Bobby Hull (Guindon, Dunn)
8:04 - Peter Sullivan (Labraaten)
16:57 - Mike Ford (Sjoberg, Hedberg)
17:30 - Bob Guindon (Long, Huck)
No scoringThird period2:21 - Peter Sullivan (Labraaten)
3:37 - Anders Hedberg (Nilsson, Miller)
5:20 - Willy Lindström (Sullivan)
12:36 - Bobby Hull (Nilsson, Hedberg)
Richard Brodeur & Serge Aubry 30 saves / 42 shotsGoalie stats Joe Daley 21 saves / 24 shots
May 26Winnipeg Jets2–8Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
8:39 - Dan Labraaten (Ford, Sullivan)Second period0:11 - Bob Fitchner
1:10 - Marc Tardif (Réal Cloutier, C. Bordeleau)
6:27 - Réal Cloutier (Tardif, Lariviere)
9:24 - J. C. Tremblay (Réal Cloutier, Tardif)
15:23 - Norm Dube (Lariviere, S. Bernier)
18:41 - Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Lacombe)
14:09 - Perry Miller (Nilsson, Hedberg)Third period1:39 - Christian Bordeleau (Réal Cloutier, Lacombe)
3:39 - Serge Bernier (Dube, Lariviere)
Joe Daley 17 saves / 25 shotsGoalie stats Richard Brodeur 25 saves / 27 shots
Quebec won series 4–3

Statistical leaders

Skaters

These were the top ten skaters based on points. [6]

PlayerTeamGPGAPts+-PIM
Serge Bernier Quebec Nordiques 171422361610
Anders Hedberg Winnipeg Jets 20131629613
Réal Cloutier Quebec Nordiques 171413271110
Ulf Nilsson Winnipeg Jets 2062127533
Dan Labraaten Winnipeg Jets 2071724815
Bobby Hull Winnipeg Jets 201392262
Paulin Bordeleau Quebec Nordiques 16129211212
Peter Sullivan Winnipeg Jets 207121952
Terry Ruskowski Houston Aeros 1161117867
Mike Ford Winnipeg Jets 2031316712
Reg Thomas Indianapolis Racers 9791684

Goaltending

PlayerTeamGPGASASVSV%SOMIN
Joe Daley Winnipeg Jets 2071569498.87511,186
Richard Brodeur Quebec Nordiques 1755465410.88211,007
Ron Grahame Houston Aeros 936265229.8640561
Paul Hoganson Indianapolis Racers 517179162.9051348
Norm LaPointe Cincinnati Stingers 416124108.8710273
Ken Lockett San Diego Mariners 519146127.8700260

References

  1. ↑ https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197677/playoffs.html
  2. ↑ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 282-283, 304-305. ISBN   978-1727753424.
  3. ↑ http://wha-hof.com/records.php
  4. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/27/archives/nordiques-trounce-jets-82-for-title.html
  5. ↑ https://records.nhl.com/records/playoff-skater-records/assists/most-assists-one-season-playoff
  6. ↑ https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1977_skaters.html#stats::points

Postseason on Hockey Reference

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