The 1978 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1977-1978 season. The sixth WHA tournament, it was the only one with six teams in competition with each other. The Winnipeg Jets won the Avco Cup over the New England Whalers for their second championship.[1] Bob Guindon was named the WHA Playoff MVP.[2]

Playoff seeds

The top six teams made the playoffs.

  1. Winnipeg Jets – 102 points
  2. New England Whalers – 93 points
  3. Houston Aeros – 88 points
  4. Quebec Nordiques – 83 points
  5. Edmonton Oilers – 79 points
  6. Birmingham Bulls – 75 points

Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinal Finals
         
2 New England Whalers 4
5 Edmonton Oilers 1
2 New England Whalers 4
4 Quebec Nordiques 1
3 Houston Aeros 2
4 Quebec Nordiques 4
1 Winnipeg Jets 4
2 New England Whalers 0
1 Winnipeg Jets 4
6 Birmingham Bulls 1

Quarterfinals

(2) New England Whalers vs. (5) Edmonton Oilers

April 14Edmonton Oilers4–6
(1–1, 0–3, 3–2)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Don McLeodGoaliesJean-Louis Levasseur
Pierre Jarry
Ron Chipperfield
Mike Zuke
Randy Rota		GoalsMike Antonovich (2)
Dave Keon
Gordie Howe
Larry Pleau
Marty Howe
6 4 13 - 23Shots7 15 17 - 39
April 16Edmonton Oilers1–4
(0–2, 0–0, 1–2)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Don McLeodGoaliesJean-Louis Levasseur
Blair MacDonaldGoalsMike Rogers
John McKenzie
Mark Howe
Steve Carlson
9 10 7 - 26Shots12 9 14 - 35
April 19New England Whalers0–2
(0–1, 0–0, 0–1)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Jean-Louis LevasseurGoaliesDon McLeod
Pierre Guite
Mike Zuke		Goals
19 (6-8-5)Shots28 (9-12-7)
April 21New England Whalers9–1
(4–1, 4–0, 1–0)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Jean-Louis LevasseurGoaliesDon McLeod / Dave Dryden
Antonovich (3)
John McKenzie
Gordie Howe
Dave Keon
Steve Carlson
Larry Pleau
Danny Bolduc		GoalsDennis Sobchuk
13 11 8 - 32Shots9 10 10 - 29
April 23Edmonton Oilers1–4
(0–0, 0–1, 1–3)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Dave DrydenGoaliesJean-Louis Levasseur
Paul ShmyrGoalsGordie Howe
Antonovich
John McKenzie
Dave Keon
5 10 11 - 26Shots15 13 11 - 39

(3) Houston Aeros vs. (4) Quebec Nordiques

Réal Cloutier tied Larry Lund's postseason record for goals with four in Game 6 (a record which lasted one year) as Quebec eliminated Houston in the last game played by the Aeros prior to the team folding.[3][4]

April 16Quebec Nordiques3–4 (OT)
(2–1, 0–0, 1–2, 0–1)		Houston AerosThe Summit
Richard BrodeurGoaliesLynn Zimmerman
Jean Bernier
Paul Baxter
Réal Cloutier		GoalsAndré Lacroix
Al McLeod
15:49 (3rd) - Don Larway
GW - Ted Taylor (7:19)
35 (19-5-8-3)Shots38 (9-8-18-3)
April 18Quebec Nordiques5–4 (OT)
(1–1, 0–0, 3–3, 1–0)		Houston AerosThe Summit
Richard BrodeurGoaliesLynn Zimmerman
Marc Tardif
Bob Fitchner
Réal Cloutier
Paul Baxter
GW - Marc Tardif (2:59)		GoalsJohn Tonelli
André Lacroix
Ron Hansis
19:19 (3rd) - Morris Lukowich
29 (12-6-10-1)Shots31 (10-13-8-0)
April 20Houston Aeros1–5
(0–1, 0–2, 1–2)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Lynn ZimmermanGoaliesRichard Brodeur
John HughesGoalsSteve Sutherland
Marc Tardif
Norm Dube
François Lacombe
Réal Cloutier
7 10 13 - 30Shots14 10 8 - 32
April 21Houston Aeros0–3
(0–1, 0–1, 0–1)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Wayne RutledgeGoaliesRichard Brodeur
No scoringGoalsSerge Bernier
Marc Tardif
Paulin Bordeleau
11 9 6 - 26Shots14 9 18 - 41
April 23Quebec Nordiques2–5
(0–2, 2–1, 0–2)		Houston AerosThe Summit
Richard BrodeurGoaliesWayne Rutledge
Paulin Bordeleau (2)GoalsTed Taylor (2)
Paul Terbenche
Cam Connor
Scott Campbell
4 14 6 - 24Shots6 5 15 - 26
April 25Houston Aeros2–11
(0–4, 0–2, 2–5)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Lynn Zimmerman / Wayne RutledgeGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Steve West
Terry Ruskowski		GoalsGarry Lariviere
Curt Brackenbury
Jean Bernier
Réal Cloutier
Wally Weir
Réal Cloutier
Paulin Bordeleau
Norm Dube
Paul Baxter
Réal Cloutier
Réal Cloutier
8 13 16 - 37Shots14 9 10 - 33

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (6) Birmingham Bulls

April 14Birmingham Bulls3–9
(1–4, 2–0, 0–5)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
John GarrettGoaliesJoe Daley / Gary Bromley
Ken Linseman
Frank Beaton
Dave Gorman		GoalsAnders Hedberg (2)
Bobby Hull (2)
Bob Guindon (2)
Mike Amodeo
Lyle Moffat
Kent Ruhnke
3 4 5 - 12Shots21 13 14 - 48
April 16Birmingham Bulls3–8
(1–3, 2–3, 0–2)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
John Garrett / Wayne WoodGoaliesGary Bromley
Paul Henderson
Frank Beaton
Frank Mahovlich		GoalsBobby Hull (2)
Dave Kryskow (2)
Peter Sullivan
Kent Ruhnke
Bob Guindon
Bill Lesuk
6 6 8 - 20Shots15 16 13 - 44
April 19Winnipeg Jets2–3
(0–2, 2–1, 0–0)		Birmingham BullsBirmingham–Jefferson Civic Center
Joe DaleyGoaliesJohn Garrett
Anders Hedberg
Bobby Hull		GoalsKen Linseman
Jim Turkiewicz
John Stewart
5 10 6 - 21Shots11 14 10 - 35
April 21Winnipeg Jets5–1
(2–0, 2–1, 1–0)		Birmingham BullsBirmingham–Jefferson Civic Center
Gary BromleyGoaliesJohn Garrett
Anders Hedberg (2)
Dave Kryskow
Lyle Moffat
Bobby Hull		GoalsSteve Alley
7 6 8 - 21Shots5 7 14 - 26
April 23Birmingham Bulls2–5
(1–2, 0–1, 1–2)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
John GarrettGoaliesJoe Daley
Serge Beaudoin
Phil Roberto		GoalsBill Lesuk
Mike Ford
Anders Hedberg
Dave Dunn
Bob Guindon
7 7 4 - 18Shots17 8 12 - 37

Semifinal

The top ranked quarterfinal winner (Winnipeg) received a bye into the finals.

(2) New England Whalers vs. (4) Quebec Nordiques

April 28Quebec Nordiques1–5
(0–2, 0–1, 1–2)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Richard Brodeur / Ken BroderickGoaliesJean-Louis Levasseur
Garry LariviereGoalsMark Howe
Ron Plumb
Mike Rogers
George Lyle
Jack Carlson
6 7 11 - 24Shots14 14 11 - 39
April 30Quebec Nordiques3–2
(1–1, 1–0, 1–1)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Richard BrodeurGoaliesJean-Louis Levasseur
Marc Tardif
Réal Cloutier
Steve Sutherland		GoalsMike Rogers
Danny Bolduc
13 15 5 - 33Shots15 7 18 - 40
May 3New England Whalers5–4
(3–0, 1–1, 1–3)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Jean-Louis Levasseur / Al SmithGoaliesRichard Brodeur / Ken Broderick
John McKenzie
Mike Antonovich
Mark Howe
Mike Rogers
Larry Pleau		GoalsSerge Bernier (2)
Christian Bordeleau
Paul Baxter
15 6 4 - 25Shots10 19 15 - 44
May 5New England Whalers7–3
(4–2, 2–0, 1–1)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Jean-Louis LevasseurGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Dave Keon (2)
Al Hangsleben
Mark Howe
Mike Rogers
Mike Antonovich
Larry Pleau		GoalsMarc Tardif
Réal Cloutier
16 10 13 - 39Shots8 6 8 - 22
May 7Quebec Nordiques3–6
(1–1, 1–3, 1–2)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Richard BrodeurGoaliesJean-Louis Levasseur
Serge Bernier
Jean Bernier
Garry Lariviere		GoalsMark Howe (2)
John McKenzie
Mike Antonovich
Gordie Howe
7 5 8 - 20Shots16 16 13 - 45

Avco Cup Finals

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) New England Whalers

The two teams defended each other well in the first two periods of Game 1 before Winnipeg exploded for four goals in the third period for victory. They dominated Game 2 and Game 3, never trailing in each contest. New England scored twice in the opening period of Game 4, but Winnipeg scored five goals in the next two periods to complete the sweep.[5]

May 12 Winnipeg Jets 4–1 New England Whalers Springfield Civic Center  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
4:31 - Bob Guindon (Moffat)
4:53 - Peter Sullivan
13:55 - Bob Guindon (Lesuk)
19:45 - Peter Sullivan 		Third period 8:07 - Larry Pleau (Hangsleben, Bolduc)
Gary Bromley 31 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Jean-Louis Levasseur 26 shots / 30 shots
May 14 Winnipeg Jets 5–2 New England Whalers Springfield Civic Center  
14:02 - Dan Labraaten (Lindstrom)
19:32 - Lyle Moffat 		First period No scoring
1:21 - Bob Guindon (Lesuk, Moffat)
17:10 - Anders Hedberg (U. Nilsson) 		Second period No scoring
16:35 - Ulf Nilsson (Hedberg) Third period 6:28 - Gordie Howe (Plumb, Rogers)
15:17 - Mark Howe (J. Carlson)
Joe Daley 22 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Jean-Louis Levasseur 22 saves / 27 shots
May 19 New England Whalers 2–10 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
No scoring First period 4:56 - Willy Lindström
5:09 - Bob Guindon (Lesuk, Moffat)
6:32 - Bobby Hull (U. Nilsson, Hedberg)
7:31 - Willy Lindström (Sullivan, Long)
7:46 - Kent Nilsson (Kryskow, Baird)
17:36 - Kent Nilsson (Lindstrom, Clackson)
No scoring Second period 4:55 - Lynn Powis (Kryskow, K. Nilsson)
16:28 - Lyle Moffat (Dunn, Sullivan)
4:07 - John McKenzie (Keon, Marty Howe)
5:10 - Tim Sheehy (Lyle, Selwood) 5:10 		Third period 8:30 - Lynn Powis (K. Nilsson, Kryskow)
12:12 - Willy Lindström (Labraaten, Sullivan)
Al Smith 23 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Gary Bromley 28 saves / 30 shots
May 22 New England Whalers 3–5 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
1:37 - Mike Antonovich (Keon, McKenzie)
1:59 - Rick Ley (Sheehy) 		First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 3:26 - Dave Kryskow (Hedberg, K. Nilsson)
3:38 - Lyle Moffat (Guindon)
17:59 - Anders Hedberg (Sjoberg, U. Nilsson)
George Lyle (Hangsleben, S. Carlson) 11:25 Third period 3:26 - Bobby Hull (U. Nilsson, Hedberg)
19:28 - Anders Hedberg (U. Nilsson, Green)
Al Smith 25 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Joe Daley 22 saves / 27 shots
Winnipeg won series 4–0


Statistical leaders

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

Player Team GP G A Pts + / - PIM
Mike Antonovich New England Whalers 14 10 7 17 1 4
Réal Cloutier Quebec Nordiques 10 9 7 16 0 15
Dave Keon New England Whalers 14 5 11 16 2 4
Anders Hedberg Winnipeg Jets 9 9 6 15 5 2
Mark Howe New England Whalers 14 8 7 15 0 18
Marc Tardif Quebec Nordiques 11 6 9 15 -2 11
Serge Bernier Quebec Nordiques 11 4 10 14 -1 17
Ulf Nilsson Winnipeg Jets 9 1 13 14 5 12
Bob Guindon Winnipeg Jets 9 8 5 13 9 5
John McKenzie New England Whalers 14 6 6 12 -2 16
Lyle Moffat Winnipeg Jets 9 5 7 12 3 9

References

  1. ^ https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197778/playoffs.html
  2. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 334-335, 349-350. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  3. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 337. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  4. ^ https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197273/playoffs.html
  5. ^ https://www.surgent.net/wha/finals/1978finals.html
  6. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1978_skaters.html#stats::points

WHA playoffs

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_WHA_playoffs
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