The 1975 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Houston Aeros defeating the Eastern Division champion Quebec Nordiques in four games for their second straight Avco Cup championship.[1][2]

Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
W1 Houston Aeros 4
E2 Cleveland Crusaders 1
W1 Houston Aeros 4
W2 San Diego Mariners 0
W2 San Diego Mariners 4
C2 Toronto Toros 2
W1 Houston Aeros 4
C1 Quebec Nordiques 0
E1 New England Whalers 2
W3 Minnesota Fighting Saints 4
W3 Minnesota Fighting Saints 2
C1 Quebec Nordiques 4
C1 Quebec Nordiques 4
W4 Phoenix Roadrunners 1

Quarterfinals

Quebec Nordiques vs. Phoenix Roadrunners

April 8Phoenix Roadrunners2–5
(0–2, 1–3, 1–0)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Jack NorrisGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Robbie Ftorek
Gene Sobchuk		GoalsRéjean Houle (2)
Rene LeClerc (2)
Michel Parizeau
10 8 21 - 39Shots10 8 6 - 24
April 10Phoenix Roadrunners2–6
(1–1, 0–4, 1–1)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Jack Norris / Gary KurtGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Jim Boyd
Peter McNamee		GoalsSerge Bernier (2)
Marc Tardif
Bob Guindon
Christian Bordeleau
Réjean Houle
14 12 17 - 43Shots7 8 7 - 22
April 12Quebec Nordiques3–0
(1–0, 2–0, 0–0)		Phoenix RoadrunnersArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Richard BrodeurGoaliesGary Kurt
Serge Bernier
Marc Tardif
Réjean Houle		GoalsNo scoring
7 4 7 - 18Shots6 8 18 - 32
April 15Quebec Nordiques5–6 (OT)
(2–4, 3–1, 0–0, 0–1)		Phoenix RoadrunnersArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Richard BrodeurGoaliesGary Kurt
Serge Bernier (2)
Bob Guindon (2)
Réjean Houle		GoalsGene Sobchuk (2)
John Gray
Robbie Ftorek
Wendell Bennett
GW - Michel Cormier (7:21)
10 9 6 3 28Shots10 15 7 6 38
April 17Phoenix Roadrunners2–4
(0–0, 2–2, 0–2)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Gary KurtGoaliesRichard Brodeur
John Gray
Gene Sobchuk		GoalsRene LeClerc
Jeannot Gilbert
Marc Tardif
Serge Bernier
14 15 10 - 39Shots8 11 13 - 32


New England Whalers vs. Minnesota Fighting Saints

April 9Minnesota Fighting Saints6–5
(2–3, 3–2, 1–1)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
John GarrettGoaliesAl Smith
Wayne Connelly (2)
Gord Gallant
Bill Butters
Gary Gambucci
Mike Walton		GoalsLarry Pleau (2)
Ron Climie

Wayne Carleton
John French
13 15 8 - 36Shots13 13 10 - 36
April 11Minnesota Fighting Saints2–3 (OT)
(0–1, 1–1, 1–0, 0–1)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
John GarrettGoaliesAl Smith
George Morrison
Ron Busniuk		GoalsWayne Carleton
Brad Selwood
GW - Rick Ley (6:46)
9 9 10 4 32Shots10 11 10 3 34
April 13New England Whalers3–8
(0–3, 2–3, 1–2)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Al SmithGoaliesJohn Garrett
Ron Climie (2)
Mike Byers		GoalsGeorge Morrison (2)
Terry Ball (2)
Fran Huck
Mike Walton
Rick Smith
Ron Busniuk
8 10 10 - 28Shots10 11 10 - 31
April 15New England Whalers5–2
(0–1, 1–1, 4–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Al SmithGoaliesJohn Garrett
Nick Fotiu (2)
Wayne Carleton
Tommy Earl
Don Blackburn		GoalsGary Gambucci
Wayne Connelly
6 8 14 - 28Shots12 11 10 - 33
April 18Minnesota Fighting Saints 4–0
(0–0, 0–0, 0–0)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
John GarrettGoaliesAl Smith
Wayne Connelly (2)
Fran Huck
Mike Walton		GoalsNo scoring
6 13 10 - 29Shots9 5 13 - 27
April 19New England Whalers1–6
(0–2, 0–1, 1–3)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Al SmithGoaliesJohn Garrett
Mike ByersGoalsMike Walton (2)
Gary Gambucci
Wayne Connelly
Don Tannahill
7 15 11 - 33Shots9 10 12 - 31

Houston Aeros vs. Cleveland Crusaders

April 10Cleveland Crusaders5–8
(2–3, 1–1, 2–4)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Gerry CheeversGoaliesRon Grahame
Paul Shmyr (2)
Jim Harrison
Tom Edur
Gerry Pinder		GoalsMark Howe (3)
Frank Hughes (2)
Terry Ruskowski
Ted Taylor
Murray Hall
8 6 11 - 25Shots14 13 9 - 36
April 12Cleveland Crusaders3–5
(1–1, 0–1, 2–3)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Gerry CheeversGoaliesRon Grahame
Al McDonough
Gerry Pinder
Russ Walker		GoalsMurray Hall (2)
Don Larway
Larry Lund
Mark Howe
15 11 11 - 37Shots10 17 8 - 35
April 13Houston Aeros1–3
(0–0, 1–1, 0–2)		Cleveland CrusadersRichfield Coliseum
Ron GrahameGoaliesGerry Cheevers
Mark HoweGoalsAl McDonough
Larry Hillman
Tom Edur
8 13 15 - 36Shots9 10 18 - 37
April 15Houston Aeros7–2
(2–0, 0–0, 5–2)		Cleveland CrusadersRichfield Coliseum
Ron GrahameGoaliesGerry Cheevers
Mark Howe (3)
Murray Hall (2)
Andre Hinse
Frank Hughes		GoalsSkip Krake
Ray Clearwater
13 13 9 - 35Shots12 9 15 - 36
April 17Cleveland Crusaders1–3
(0–2, 1–0, 0–1)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Gerry CheeversGoaliesRon Grahame
Gerry PinderGoalsGordie Howe
Larry Lund
Ted Taylor
10 9 9 - 28Shots19 7 14 - 40

San Diego Mariners vs. Toronto Toros

April 9Toronto Toros3–5
(2–1, 1–2, 0–2)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Jim ShawGoaliesErnie Wakely
Lou Nistico
Václav Nedomanský
Gavin Kirk		GoalsRay Adduono (2)
Gene Peacosh
Wayne Rivers
André Lacroix
10 14 4 - 28Shots16 12 16 - 44
April 12Toronto Toros6–7
(0–3, 2–3, 4–1)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Gilles Gratton / Jim ShawGoaliesErnie Wakely
Frank Mahovlich
Václav Nedomanský
Gavin Kirk
Jim Dorey
Lou Nistico
Martin		GoalsGene Peacosh (2)
Jim Hargreaves
André Lacroix
Norm Ferguson
Howell
Wayne Rivers
15 12 13 - 40Shots13 23 10 - 46
April 14San Diego Mariners2–5
(0–2, 2–2, 0–1)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Ernie Wakely / Russ GillowGoaliesLes Binkley
Norm Ferguson (2)GoalsLou Nistico (2)
Gavin Kirk
Tom Simpson
Wayne Dillon
11 7 10 - 28Shots17 12 12 - 41
April 16San Diego Mariners5–6
(1–0, 1–4, 3–2)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Ernie WakelyGoaliesJim Shaw
Mike Laughton (2)
Norm Ferguson
Gene Peacosh
Brian Perry		GoalsWayne Dillon (2)
Lou Nistico
Tony Featherstone
Frank Mahovlich
Gavin Kirk
8 14 9 - 31Shots10 17 18 - 45
April 18Toronto Toros3–4
(1–0, 1–2, 1–2)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Jim ShawGoaliesErnie Wakely
Frank Mahovlich
Václav Nedomanský
Gavin Kirk		GoalsGene Peacosh
Mike Laughton
Ray Adduono
11:59 (3rd) - Gene Peacosh
9 13 15 - 37Shots14 19 22 - 55
April 21San Diego Mariners6–4
(2–2, 2–2, 2–0)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Ernie WakelyGoaliesLes Binkley
Norm Ferguson (2)
Ray Adduono
Kevin Devine
Gene Peacosh
André Lacroix		GoalsLou Nistico
Wayne Dillon
Jim Dorey
Tony Featherstone
13 14 12 - 39Shots15 13 17 - 45

Semifinals

Quebec Nordiques vs. Minnesota Fighting Saints

April 22Minnesota Fighting Saints1–4
(0–1, 0–0, 1–3)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
John GarrettGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Mike WaltonGoalsJeannot Gilbert (2)
Rene LeClerc
Réjean Houle
31 (12-9-10)Shots38 (15-17-6)
April 24Minnesota Fighting Saints5–3
(0–2, 4–1, 1–0)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
John GarrettGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Mike Walton (2)
George Morrison
Rick Smith
Mike Antonovich		GoalsMarc Tardif (2)
Alan Globensky
47 (17-20-10)Shots26 (9-9-8)
April 26Quebec Nordiques6–1
(3–1, 1–0, 2–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Richard BrodeurGoaliesJohn Garrett
Marc Tardif
Réjean Houle
Serge Bernier
Réal Cloutier
Bobby Guindon
Rene LeClerc		GoalsTed Hampson
40 (12-13-15)Shots28 (11-5-12)
April 27Quebec Nordiques2–4
(1–1, 1–1, 0–2)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Richard BrodeurGoaliesJohn Garrett
Serge Bernier
Bobby Guindon		GoalsTerry Ball
Don Tannahill
Fran Huck
Wayne Connelly
41 (14-16-11)Shots38 (14-15-9)
April 29Minnesota Fighting Saints3–6
(0–2, 2–2, 1–2)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
John GarrettGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Wayne Connelly
Mike Walton
George Morrison		GoalsRéal Cloutier (2)
Bobby Guindon
Christian Bordeleau
Marc Tardif
Rene LeClerc
38 (8-18-12)Shots41 (17-10-14)
May 1Quebec Nordiques4–2
(2–1, 0–0, 2–1)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Richard BrodeurGoaliesJohn Garrett
Réal Cloutier
Rene Leclerc
Michel Parizeau
Réjean Houle		GoalsGary Gambucci
Jack Carlson
34 (14-6-14)Shots38 (13-14-11)

Houston Aeros vs. San Diego Mariners

A matchup of the top team in scoring/defense versus the fourth-best team in scoring/defense, the Aeros held San Diego to shutouts in two of the first three games before having to rally to force overtime in the pivotal Game 4. On the first shot in overtime, Jim Sherrit ended the game with his goal to send Houston back to the Avco Cup.[3]

April 25Houston Aeros4–0
(1–0, 2–0, 1–0)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Ron GrahameGoaliesErnie Wakely
André Hinse
Murray Hall
Terry Ruskowski
Gord Labossiere		GoalsNo scoring
35 (11-13-11)Shots35 (14-12-9)
April 27Houston Aeros2–1
(0–0, 2–0, 0–1)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Ron GrahameGoaliesErnie Wakely
Murray Hall
Jim Sherrit		GoalsWayne Rivers
23 (6-9-8)Shots48 (18-11-19)
April 29San Diego Mariners0–6
(0–2, 0–2, 0–2)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Ernie Wakely / Russ GillowGoaliesRon Grahame
GoalsAndré Hinse (2)
Mark Howe
Gord Labossiere
Larry Lund
Gordie Howe
34 (16-6-12)Shots37 (12-12-13)
May 1San Diego Mariners4–5 (OT)
(2–1, 1–1, 1–2, 0–1)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Russ Gillow / Ernie WakelyGoaliesRon Grahame
Ron Plumb (2)
[Ray Adduono]]
Mike Laughton		GoalsJim Sherrit
Rich Preston
Don Larway
Gordie Howe
GW - Jim Sherrit (0:27),
37 (17-8-12-0)Shots50 (11-16-22-1)

Avco Cup Final

The Aeros, having lost only one playoff game leading to the Finals, did not have many problems with Quebec, who only had a lead for a combined thirteen minutes in the whole series, all of which came during Game 2, where Quebec scored a goal only to be followed by the Aeros doing the same three times before Houston eventually pulled away in the final period.


May 3 Quebec Nordiques 2–6 Houston Aeros Sam Houston Coliseum  
No scoring First period 1:26 - Gord Labossiere (Popiel, Schella)
2:36 - Larry Lund (Mark Howe, G. Howe)
12:13 - Gordie Howe (Schella, Preston)
17:54 - Terry Ruskowski (Popiel, Larway)
17:51 - Marc Tardif (Bordeleau, Hoganson) Second period 4:37 - Don Larway (Ruskowski)
3:45 - Bob Guindon (Bordeleau) Third period 1:45 - Gord Labossiere (Taylor, Hughes)
Richard Brodeur 30 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Ron Grahame 23 saves / 25 shots
May 6 Quebec Nordiques 3–5 Houston Aeros Sam Houston Coliseum  
16:34 - Dale Hoganson (S. Bernier, Houle) First period 4:44 - Gordie Howe (Mark Howe, Sherrit)
2:57 - Marc Tardif (Guindon, Bordeleau) Second period 1:19 - Gordie Howe (Lund, Hughes)
2:37 - Marc Tardif (Bordeleau) Third period 2:06 - Gord Labossiere (Hall, Taylor)
3:04 - Terry Ruskowski (Preston, Irwin)
11:08 - André Hinse (Lund, Schella)
Richard Brodeur 42 saves / 47 shots Goalie stats Ron Grahame 23 saves / 26 shots
May 10 Houston Aeros 2–0 Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec  
No scoring First period No scoring
0:14 - Frank Hughes (G. Howe, Mark Howe) Second period No scoring
13:48 - Poul Popiel (Schella) Third period No scoring
Ron Grahame 34 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Richard Brodeur 22 saves / 24 shots
May 12 Houston Aeros 7–2 Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec  
2:41 - Gordie Howe (Hinse, Lund)
12:18 - Mark Howe (Hinse, Lund)
19:53 - Gord Labossiere (Schella, Hall). 		First period 6:01 - Réjean Houle (Tardif, S. Bernier)
7:36 - Gordie Howe (Lund)
16:52 - Frank Hughes (Mark Howe, Sherrit) 		Second period 14:51 - Réjean Houle (S. Bernier, Brodeur)
14:07 - Larry Lund (Popiel)
18:30 - Frank Hughes (G. Howe, Lund) 		Third period No scoring
Ron Grahame 36 shots / 38 shots Goalie stats Richard Brodeur 24 shots / 31 shots
Houston won series 4–0


Statistical leaders

These were the top ten skaters based on points.[4]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Mark Howe Houston Aeros 13 10 12 22 0
Marc Tardif Quebec Nordiques 15 10 11 21 10
Gordie Howe Houston Aeros 13 8 12 20 20
Larry Lund Houston Aeros 13 5 13 18 13
Mike Walton Minnesota Fighting Saints 12 10 7 17 10
Serge Bernier Quebec Nordiques 15 8 8 16 6
Réjean Houle Quebec Nordiques 15 10 6 16 2
Fran Huck Minnesota Fighting Saints 12 3 13 16 6
Christian Bordeleau Quebec Nordiques 15 2 13 15 2
Ray Adduono San Diego Mariners 10 5 9 14 13
Rene Leclerc Quebec Nordiques 14 7 7 14 41
George Morrison Minnesota Fighting Saints 12 5 9 14 0

References

  1. ^ https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197475/playoffs.html
  2. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 162-163, 185-186. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  3. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-houston-aeros-vs-san-diego-mariners-semi-finals.html
  4. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1973_skaters.html#stats::points

Postseason on Hockey Reference

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_WHA_playoffs
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