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]

Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
E1 Quebec Nordiques 4
E4 New England Whalers 1
E1 Quebec Nordiques 4
Eastern Division
E3 Indianapolis Racers 1
E2 Cincinnati Stingers 0
E3 Indianapolis Racers 4
E1 Quebec Nordiques 4
W2 Winnipeg Jets 3
W1 Houston Aeros 4
W4 Edmonton Oilers 1
W1 Houston Aeros 2
Western Division
W2 Winnipeg Jets 4
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 NordiquesColisée de Québec
Bruce LandonGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Gordie Roberts
Tom Webster		GoalsWally 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 WhalersColisée de Québec
Richard BrodeurGoaliesCap Raeder
Réal Cloutier (2)
J. C. Tremblay
Paulin Bordeleau
Serge Bernier
Curt Brackenbury
Pierre Guite		GoalsDave 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 WhalersHartford Civic Center
Richard BrodeurGoaliesChrister Abrahamsson
Serge Bernier (2)
Paulin Bordeleau
GW - Paul Baxter (1:50)		GoalsGordie 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 WhalersHartford Civic Center
Richard Brodeur / Serge AubryGoaliesBruce Landon
Réal Cloutier (2)
Pierre Guite
Bob Fitchner		GoalsDave 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 NordiquesColisée de Québec
Bruce Landon / Christer AbrahamssonGoaliesRichard Brodeur
No scoringGoalsAndré 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 StingersRiverfront Coliseum
Paul HogansonGoaliesNorm Lapointe
Mark Lomenda (2)
Reg Thomas
GW - Gene Peacosh (8:40)		GoalsRich 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 StingersRiverfront Coliseum
Michel DionGoaliesJacques Caron / Norm Lapointe
Reg Thomas (2)
Mark Lomenda
Rene LeClerc
Nick Harbaruk
Michel Parizeau
Blair MacDonald		GoalsDennis Abgrall
Ron Plumb
31
(7-14-10)		Shots32
(14-10-8)
April 14Cincinnati Stingers3–5
(1–2, 0–1, 2–2)		Indianapolis RacersMarket Square Arena
Norm LapointeGoaliesPaul Hoganson
Peter Marsh (2)
Claude Larose		GoalsBlair MacDonald (3)
Brian McDonald (2)
33
(14-4-15)		Shots23
(6-9-8)
April 16Cincinnati Stingers1–3
(0–1, 0–1, 1–1)		Indianapolis RacersMarket Square Arena
Norm LapointeGoaliesMichel Dion
Greg CarrollGoalsReg 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 AerosThe Summitt
Jean-Louis LevasseurGoaliesRon Grahame
Gregg Boddy
Randy Rota
Glen Sather		GoalsRich 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 AerosThe Summitt
Jean-Louis LevasseurGoaliesRon Grahame
Brett Callighen (2)GoalsDon 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 OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Ron GrahameGoaliesKen Broderick
Gordie Howe
Mark Howe		GoalsBrett 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 OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Wayne RutledgeGoaliesKen Broderick
Morris Lukowich (3)
Ted Taylor		GoalsClaude St. Sauveur
27
(7-8-12)		Shots34
(14-9-11)
April 22Edmonton Oilers3–4
(1–2, 2–1, 0–1)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Ken BroderickGoaliesWayne Rutledge
Bryan Campbell
Dave Langevin
Randy Rota		GoalsRich 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 JetsWinnipeg Arena
Ken LockettGoaliesJoe Daley
Ray AdduonoGoalsBobby 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 JetsWinnipeg Arena
Ken LockettGoaliesJoe Daley
Norm FergusonGoalsBobby 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 MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Joe DaleyGoaliesKen Lockett
Lyle Moffat (2)
Peter Sullivan
Willy Lindström		GoalsJoe 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 MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Joe DaleyGoaliesErnie Wakely
Danny Lawson
Bob Guindon
Bobby Hull
Dan Labraaten		GoalsRick 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 JetsWinnipeg Arena
Ken LockettGoaliesJoe Daley
No scoringGoalsMats Lindh (2)
Willy Lindstrom
14 4 7 - 25Shots12 12 17 - 41
April 22Winnipeg Jets1–3
(0–0, 1–3, 0–0)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Joe DaleyGoaliesErnie Wakely
Anders HedbergGoalsKevin Morrison
Rick Sentes
John French
2 6 7 - 15Shots11 10 9 - 30
April 24San Diego Mariners3–7
(1–3, 1–1, 1–3)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Ken LockettGoaliesJoe Daley
Ray Adduono
Joe Noris
John French		GoalsBobby 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 NordiquesColisée de Québec
Paul HogansonGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Michel ParizeauGoalsSerge Bernier (2)
Paul Baxter
7 11 3 - 21Shots18 12 7 - 37
April 25Indianapolis Racers3–8
(1–2, 1–4, 1–2)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Michel DionGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Brian McDonald
Pat Stapleton
Reg Thomas		GoalsSteve 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 RacersMarket Square Arena
Richard BrodeurGoaliesMichel Dion
Paulin Bordeleau
André Boudrias
Marc Tardif
Paulin Bordeleau
Serge Bernier
GW - Paulin Bordeleau (5:29)		GoalsReg 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 RacersMarket Square Arena
Richard BrodeurGoaliesPaul Hoganson
No scoringGoalsMichel Parizeau
Darryl Maggs
22
(4–10–8)		Shots26
(8–15–3)
May 2Indianapolis Racers3–8
(1–3, 0–2, 2–3)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Paul HogansonGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Blair MacDonald (2)
Pat Stapleton		GoalsRéal 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 AerosThe Summitt
Joe DaleyGoaliesRon Grahame
Peter Sullivan
Anders Hedberg
Ulf Nilsson
GW - Peter Sullivan (8:05)		GoalsMarty 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 AerosThe Summitt
Joe Daley / LarssonGoaliesRon Grahame
Ted Green
Anders Hedberg		GoalsMark 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 JetsWinnipeg Arena
Ron GrahameGoaliesJoe Daley
Terry Ruskowski
John Tonelli
Gordie Howe		GoalsPeter 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 JetsWinnipeg Arena
Ron GrahameGoaliesJoe Daley / Larsson
Morris Lukowich (2)
Cam Connor
Marty Howe		GoalsAnders 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 AerosThe Summitt
Joe DaleyGoaliesRon Grahame
Mike Ford
Perry Miller		GoalsTerry 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 JetsWinnipeg Arena
Ron GrahameGoaliesJoe Daley
Terry Ruskowski
Cam Connor
John Tonelli		GoalsWilly 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 11 Winnipeg Jets 2–1 Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
No scoring First period No scoring
2:22 - Dan Labraaten (Dunn)
13:30 - Willy Lindström (Labraaten, Sullivan) 		Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 7:00 - Paulin Bordeleau
Joe Daley 31 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Richard Brodeur 25 saves / 27 shots
May 15 Winnipeg Jets 1–6 Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
No scoring First period 4:32 - Pierre Guite (Boudrias, Lacombe)
13:25 - Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Dube)
15:17 - Steve Sutherland
18:23 - Serge Bernier (Dube, Brackenbury)
No scoring Second period 17:02 - Curt Brackenbury (S. Bernier, Weir)
2:47 - Dan Labraaten (Lindstrom) Third period 13:00 - Steve Sutherland (Fitchner, Brackenbury)
Joe Daley 28 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Richard Brodeur 26 saves / 27 shots
May 18 Quebec Nordiqes 1–6 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
2:08 - Curt Brackenbury (Fitchner) First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 4:42 - Willy Lindström (Labraaten)
13:16 - Dan Labraaten (Lindstrom)
No scoring Third period 0:31 - 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 shots Goalie stats Joe Daley 23 saves / 24 shots
May 20 Quebec Nordiqes 4–2 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
7:33 - Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau, J. Bernier) First period 11:38 - 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 period No scoring
4:32 - Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau) Third period No scoring
Richard Brodeur & Serge Aubry 27 shots / 29 shots Goalie stats Joe Daley 23 saves / 27 shots
May 22 Winnipeg Jets 3–8 Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
17:04 - Ulf Nilsson (Miller, Hull) First period 4:23 - 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 period 4:18 - Réal Cloutier (C. Bordeleau)
6:01 - Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Tremblay)
11:37 - Christian Bordeleau (Réal Cloutier, S. Bernier)
No scoring Third period 8:49 - Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau)
Joe Daley 14 saves / 22 shots Goalie stats Richard Brodeur 29 saves / 32 shots
May 24 Quebec Nordiqes 3–12 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
3:02 - Réal Cloutier
4:28 - Réal Cloutier (Tardif, C. Bordeleau)
16:35 - Christian Bordeleau (Tardif, Réal Cloutier) 		First period 1:26 - Bobby Hull (Nilsson, Ford)
9:17 - Dan Labraaten (Sullivan, Lindstrom)
12:09 - Anders Hedberg (Nilsson)
13:47 - Bob Guindon (Huck, Miller)
No scoring Second period 6:28 - Bobby Hull (Guindon, Dunn)
8:04 - Peter Sullivan (Labraaten)
16:57 - Mike Ford (Sjoberg, Hedberg)
17:30 - Bob Guindon (Long, Huck)
No scoring Third period 2:21 - 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 shots Goalie stats Joe Daley 21 saves / 24 shots
May 26 Winnipeg Jets 2–8 Quebec Nordiqes Colisée de Québec  
No scoring First period No scoring
8:39 - Dan Labraaten (Ford, Sullivan) Second period 0:11 - 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 period 1:39 - Christian Bordeleau (Réal Cloutier, Lacombe)
3:39 - Serge Bernier (Dube, Lariviere)
Joe Daley 17 saves / 25 shots Goalie 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]

Player Team GP G A Pts +- PIM
Serge Bernier Quebec Nordiques 17 14 22 36 16 10
Anders Hedberg Winnipeg Jets 20 13 16 29 6 13
Réal Cloutier Quebec Nordiques 17 14 13 27 11 10
Ulf Nilsson Winnipeg Jets 20 6 21 27 5 33
Dan Labraaten Winnipeg Jets 20 7 17 24 8 15
Bobby Hull Winnipeg Jets 20 13 9 22 6 2
Paulin Bordeleau Quebec Nordiques 16 12 9 21 12 12
Peter Sullivan Winnipeg Jets 20 7 12 19 5 2
Terry Ruskowski Houston Aeros 11 6 11 17 8 67
Mike Ford Winnipeg Jets 20 3 13 16 7 12
Reg Thomas Indianapolis Racers 9 7 9 16 8 4

Goaltending

Player Team GP GA SA SV SV% SO MIN
Joe Daley Winnipeg Jets 20 71 569 498 .875 1 1,186
Richard Brodeur Quebec Nordiques 17 55 465 410 .882 1 1,007
Ron Grahame Houston Aeros 9 36 265 229 .864 0 561
Paul Hoganson Indianapolis Racers 5 17 179 162 .905 1 348
Norm LaPointe Cincinnati Stingers 4 16 124 108 .871 0 273
Ken Lockett San Diego Mariners 5 19 146 127 .870 0 260

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

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_WHA_playoffs
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