The 1976 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1975-1976 season. The fourth WHA tournament, it was the only one with ten teams in competition with each other. The Winnipeg Jets won the Avco Cup over the Houston Aeros for their first ever championship.[1] Ulf Nilsson was named the WHA Playoff MVP.[2]

Bracket

Quarterfinals
April 9-30		Semifinals
April 23 - May 16		Avco Cup
May 20-27
W1Houston Aeros4
W3San Diego Mariners2
W1Houston Aeros4
E3New England Whalers3
E3New England Whalers4
'
E1Indianapolis Racers3
C1Winnipeg Jets4
W1Houston Aeros0
C3Calgary Cowboys4
C2Quebec Nordiques1
C1Winnipeg Jets4
C3Calgary Cowboys1
C1Winnipeg Jets4
C4Edmonton Oilers0
Preliminary RoundPreliminary Round
New England Whalers3San Diego Mariners3
Cleveland Crusaders0Phoenix Roadrunners2

Preliminary Round

San Diego Mariners vs. Phoenix Roadrunners

Unusually, Game 5 had no penalties called for the duration of the game. It also was the last playoff game played in the state of Arizona until the Arizona Coyotes played in 1997.

April 9San Diego Mariners2–3 (OT)
(1–2, 1–0, 0–0, 0–1)		Phoenix RoadrunnersArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Ernie WakelyGoaliesJack Norris
Wayne Rivers
Bob Falkenberg		GoalsGary Veneruzzo
Serge Beaudoin
GW - Del Hall (0:31)
25
(10–9–6–0)		Shots29
(9–7–12–1)
April 10Phoenix Roadrunners2–4
(1–1, 0–1, 1–2)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Jack NorrisGoaliesErnie Wakely
Jim BoydGoalsJohn French
Joe Noris
Norm Ferguson
André Lacroix
24
(7–13–4)		Shots37
(9–12–16)
April 13San Diego Mariners4–6
(4–1, 0–4, 0–1)		Phoenix RoadrunnersArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Ernie WakelyGoaliesJack Norris
Brent Hughes
Gene Peacosh
Ray Adduono
John French		GoalsDel Hall
Jim Boyd
Robbie Ftorek
Gary Veneruzzo
Ron Huston
Lauri Mononen
24
(10–6–8)		Shots40
(16–14–10)
April 15Phoenix Roadrunners1–5
(0–2, 0–1, 1–2)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Jack NorrisGoaliesErnie Wakely
Cam ConnorGoalsKevin Devine
Brian Morenz
Andre Lacroix
Alex Tidey
Bob Wall
21
(3–7–11)		Shots33
(11–15–7)
April 17San Diego Mariners2–1
(1–0, 1–1, 0–0)		Phoenix RoadrunnersArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Ernie WakelyGoaliesJack Norris
Alex Tidey
Norm Ferguson		GoalsJohn Gray
23
(9–11–3)		Shots30
(10–10–10)

New England Whalers vs. Cleveland Crusaders

Mike Rogers delivered the go-ahead goal in Game 3 with four minutes remaining to eliminate Cleveland. This was the final game played by the Crusaders in Cleveland, as they relocated to Minnesota in the offseason when the National Hockey League approved the move of the California Golden Seals to Cleveland.

April 9Cleveland Crusaders3–5
(1–3, 1–1, 1–1)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
Bob JohnsonGoaliesBruce Landon
Rich Leduc
Wayne Connelly
Danny Gruen		GoalsRalph Backstrom
Gordie Roberts
Nick Fotiu
Larry Pleau
Mike Rogers
31
(10–10–11)		Shots33
(10–16–7)
April 10New England Whalers6–1
(1–1, 2–0, 3–0)		Cleveland CrusadersRichfield Coliseum
Bruce LandonGoaliesCam Newton
Larry Pleau (2)
Fred O'Donnell
Tom Webster
Brad Selwood
Mike Rogers		GoalsRich Leduc
40
13–9–18)		Shots30
(11–11–8)
April 11New England Whalers3–2
(0–2, 1–0, 2–0)		Cleveland CrusadersRichfield Coliseum
Bruce LandonGoaliesBob Johnson
Bob McManama
Ralph Backstrom
16:38 (3rd) – Mike Rogers		GoalsDanny Gruen
Al McDonough
36
(12–11–13)		Shots35
(16–9–10)

Quarterfinals

(C1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (E4) Edmonton Oilers

April 9Edmonton Oilers3–7
(1–3, 1–2, 1–2)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Dave DrydenGoaliesJoe Daley
Bob Russell
Ken Baird
Tim Sheehy		GoalsBobby Hull
Bob Guindon
Mats Lindh
Veli-Pekka Ketola
Thommie Bergman
Norm Beaudin
Peter Sullivan
21
(7–6–8)		Shots48
(18–13–17)
April 11Edmonton Oilers4–5 (OT)
(1–1, 2–2, 1–1, 0–1)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Dave DrydenGoaliesJoe Daley / Curt Larsson
Dan Spring
Ed Patenaude
Ken Baird
18:10 (3rd) - Tim Sheehy		GoalsUlf Nilsson
Lyle Moffat
Bobby Hull
Willy Lindström
GW - Ulf Nilsson (0:54)
24
(10–11–3–0)		Shots62
(24–16–21–1)
April 14Winnipeg Jets3–2
(2–0, 0–2, 1–0)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Curt LarssonGoaliesDave Dryden
Anders Hedberg
Peter Sullivan
10:22 (3rd) - Bobby Hull		GoalsBob McAneeley
Ken Baird
29
(10–10–9)		Shots29
(12–12–5)
April 16Winnipeg Jets7–2
(1–1, 5–1, 1–0)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Joe DaleyGoaliesChris Worthy
Bobby Hull (2)
Veli-Pekka Ketola
Bill Lesuk
Mats Lindh
Norm Beaudin
Asmundson		GoalsWayne Carleton
Norm Ullman
38
(13–14–11)		Shots20
(5–13–2)

(C3) Calgary Cowboys vs. (C2) Quebec Nordiques

In a shocking upset, the Cowboys prevailed over the Nordiques. However, it mostly became known for an infamous brawl during Game 2 that saw eleven ejections, a coach suspended the rest of the series, and criminal matters. The incident began when Calgary's Rick Jodzio cross-checked Quebec's Marc Tardif in the head, causing both teams to leave their benches.[3][4] The brawl lasted 20 minutes, and ended only when Quebec police gathered at the players benches and escorted the teams back to their dressing rooms.[5] The game resumed following a 20-minute break to allow both teams to cool down, then resumed without eleven players who were ejected from the game.[4] The incident caught the attention of Quebec's Solicitor General Fernand Lalonde, who had the incident investigated as a criminal matter.[4] Jodzio was suspended indefinitely by the league, and later pleaded guilty in a Quebec court to a charge of assault over the incident.[6] Cowboys coach Joe Crozier was suspended for the rest of the series.[5]

April 10Calgary Cowboys3–1
(1–0, 1–0, 1–1)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Don McLeodGoaliesRichard Brodeur
Chris Evans (2)
Ron Chipperfield		GoalsRéal Cloutier
24
(9–5–10)		Shots28
(10–7–11)
April 11Calgary Cowboys8–4
(2–2, 0–2, 6–0)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Don McLeodGoaliesRichard Brodeur
George Morrison
Gavin Kirk (2)
Don Tannahill
Bernie Lukowich
Ron Chipperfield
Lynn Powis		GoalsSerge Bernier (2)
Marc Tardif
Bob Fitchner
29
(8–8–13)		Shots25
(8–8–9)
April 14Quebec Nordiques2–3
(0–1, 1–1, 1–1)		Calgary CowboysStampede Corral
Richard BrodeurGoaliesDon McLeod
Réal Cloutier
Dale Hoganson		GoalsLynn Powis (2)
Bernie Lukowich
20
(5–8–7)		Shots27
(14–9–4)
April 16Quebec Nordiques4–3
(0–1, 4–0, 0–2)		Calgary CowboysStampede Corral
Richard BrodeurGoaliesDon McLeod
Réal Cloutier (2)
Réjean Houle (2)		GoalsRon Chipperfield
Gavin Kirk
Danny Lawson
25
(8–12–5)		Shots29
(8–9–12)
April 18Calgary Cowboys6–4
(2–0, 1–3, 3–1)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Richard BrodeurGoaliesDon McLeod
Chris Evans (2)
Peter Driscoll
George Morrison
Bernie Lukowich
Danny Lawson		GoalsSteve Sutherland (2)
Christian Bordeleau
Pierre Roy
28
(11–6–11)		Shots41
(13–15–13)

(E3) New England Whalers vs. (E1) Indianapolis Racers

April 16New England Whalers4–1
(1–1, 1–0, 2–0)		Indianapolis RacersMarket Square Arena
Bruce LandonGoaliesMichel Dion
Larry Pleau
Rosaire Paiement
Doug Roberts
Ralph Backstrom		GoalsMichel Parizeau
32
(15–7–10)		Shots24
(8–8–8)
April 17New England Whalers0–4
(0–2, 0–1, 0–1)		Indianapolis RacersMarket Square Arena
Cap RaederGoaliesJim Park
No scoringGoalsKerry Bond
Michel Parizeau
Hugh Harris
Rene LeClerc
29
(11–6–12)		Shots25
(11–6–8)
April 21Indianapolis Racers0–3
(0–1, 0–1, 0–1)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
Michel DionGoaliesCap Raeder
Al Hangsleben(2)
Garry Swain		GoalsNo scoring
22
(9–5–8)		Shots34
(10–14–10)
April 23Indianapolis Racers1–2
(0–0, 0–1, 1–1)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
Michel DionGoaliesCap Raeder
Hugh HarrisGoalsLarry Pleau
19:03 (3rd) - Mike Rogers
33
(9–14–10)		Shots39
(8–16–15)
April 24New England Whalers0–4
(0–1, 0–2, 0–1)		Indianapolis RacersMarket Square Arena
Cap RaederGoaliesJim Park
No scoringGoalsMichel Parizeau (2)
Reg Thomas
Dave Keon
30
(13–5–12)		Shots34
(14–11–9)
April 27Indianapolis Racers5–3
(0–0, 4–1, 1–2)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
Jim ParkGoaliesCap Raeder
Nick Harbaruk (2)
Darryl Maggs
Rene LeClerc
Dave Keon		GoalsTom Webster
Nick Fotiu
Bob McManama
31
(10–12–9)		Shots37
(7–15–15)
April 29New England Whalers6–0
(1–0, 3–0, 2–0)		Indianapolis RacersMarket Square Arena
Cap RaederGoaliesJim Park
Danny Bolduc
Tom Webster
Fred O'Donnell
Garry Swain
Rosaire Paiement
Ralph Backstrom		GoalsNo scoring
29
(10–9–10)		Shots26
(7–11–8)

(W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W3) San Diego Mariners

April 21San Diego Mariners6–8
(2–6, 2–2, 2–0)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Ernie Wakely / Russ GillowGoaliesRon Grahame
John French (2)
André Lacroix
Brian Morenz
Ray Adduono
Wayne Rivers		GoalsRich Preston (3)
Terry Ruskowski (2)
Gord Labossiere (2)
Frank Hughes
27
(6–7–14)		Shots39
(14–6–19)
April 23San Diego Mariners1–3
(0–0, 0–2, 1–1)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Ernie WakelyGoaliesRon Grahame
17:21 (3rd) - André LacroixGoalsJohn Tonelli
Frank Hughes
Gordie Howe
26
(10–8–8)		Shots27
(8–8–11)
April 25Houston Aeros8–4
(1–1, 4–2, 3–1)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Ron GrahameGoaliesErnie Wakely
Don Larway (3)
John Tonelli (2)
Marty Howe
John Schella
Gordie Howe		GoalsAlex Tidey
Kevin Morrison
Ray Adduono
Joe Noris
34
(10–12–12)		Shots32
(10–10–12)
April 27Houston Aeros2–3
(1–0, 0–1, 1–2)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Ron GrahameGoaliesErnie Wakely
Don Larway
John Tonelli		GoalsWayne Rivers
Bob Dobek
Kevin Devine
36
(10–15–11)		Shots39
(21–8–10)
April 28San Diego Mariners3–2
(1–0, 2–1, 0–1)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Ron GrahameGoaliesErnie Wakely
John Tonelli
Gordie Howe		GoalsRay Adduono
Gene Peacosh
Kevin Devine
28
(14–7–7)		Shots27
(7–8–12)
April 30Houston Aeros3–2
(1–0, 1–0, 1–2)		San Diego MarinersSan Diego Sports Arena
Wayne RutledgeGoaliesErnie Wakely
Frank Hughes
Rich Preston
Murray Hall		GoalsDon Burgess
Wayne Rivers
23
(7–10–6)		Shots43
(12–17–14)

Semifinals

(C1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (C3) Calgary Cowboys

Winnipeg beat Calgary in five games.

In Game 3, Lynn Powis and Don Tannahill each recorded a goal three seconds apart from each other, the fastest in WHA history.

April 23Calgary Cowboys1–6
(0–3, 0–3, 1–0)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Don McLeod / Ed HumphreysGoaliesJoe Daley
Chris EvansGoalsWilly Lindström
Ulf Nilsson
Peter Sullivan
Bobby Hull
Bob Guindon
Veli-Pekka Ketola
4 8 5 - 17Shots9 11 9 - 29
April 25Calgary Cowboys2–3
(1–2, 1–0, 0–1)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Don McLeodGoaliesJoe Daley
Ron Chipperfield
Warren Miller		GoalsBobby Hull (2)
1:32 (3rd) - Anders Hedberg
10 7 5 - 22Shots15 15 15 - 45
April 28Winnipeg Jets6–3
(1–0, 1–3, 4–0)		Calgary CowboysStampede Corral
Joe DaleyGoaliesDon McLeod
Anders Hedberg (2)
Bobby Hull
Ulf Nilsson
Veli-Pekka Ketola
Bill Lesuk		Goals4:08 (2nd) - Lynn Powis
4:11 (2nd) - Don Tannahill
Peter Driscoll
35
(10–12–13)		Shots32<br(6–17–9)
April 30Winnipeg Jets3–7
(1–3, 1–2, 1–2)		Calgary CowboysStampede Corral
Joe DaleyGoaliesDon McLeod
Anders Hedberg
Ulf Nilsson
Thommie Bergman		GoalsDanny Lawson (2)
Bob Leiter (2)
Gavin Kirk
Lynn Powis
Ron Chipperfield
31
(11–7–13)		Shots26
(11–8–7)
May 2Calgary Cowboys0–4
(0–0, 0–1, 0–3)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Don McLeodGoaliesJoe Daley
No scoringGoalsAnders Hedberg (2)
Willy Lindström
Freeman Asmundson
6 7 4 - 17Shots13 10 8 - 31

(W1) Houston Aeros vs. (E3) New England Whalers

May 5New England Whalers4–2
(0–0, 3–2, 1–0)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Cap RaederGoaliesRon Grahame
Tom Webster (3)
Rosaire Paiement		GoalsMarty Howe
Larry Lund
18
(5–10–3)		Shots30
(9–10–11)
May 7New England Whalers2–5
(1–0, 0–4, 1–1)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Cap Raeder / Gaye CooleyGoaliesWayne Rutledge
Thommy Abrahamsson
Bob McManama		GoalsTerry Ruskowski
John Tonelli
Ted Taylor
Mark Howe
André Hinse
21
(6–6–9)		Shots32
(10–12–10)
May 9Houston Aeros1–4
(0–2, 0–1, 1–1)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
Wayne RutledgeGoaliesCap Raeder
16:20 (3rd) - Mark HoweGoalsRosaire Paiement
Don Borgeson
Thommy Abrahamsson
Bob McManama
30
(9–7–14)		Shots34
(16–10–8)
May 11Houston Aeros4–3
(3–0, 1–1, 0–2)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
Ron GrahameGoaliesCap Raeder
Poul Popiel (2)
Jan Popiel
Terry Ruskowski		GoalsBrad Selwood
Tom Webster
Gordie Roberts
25
(11–6–8)		Shots35
(8–15–12)
May 13New England Whalers2–4
(1–0, 0–2, 1–2)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Cap Raeder / Christer AbrahamssonGoaliesRon Grahame
Tom Webster
Rick Ley		GoalsJohn Tonelli
Frank Hughes
Terry Ruskowski
André Hinse
27
(10–7–10)		Shots45
(15–16–14)
May 15Houston Aeros1–6
(0–1, 0–3, 1–2)		New England WhalersHartford Civic Center
Ron Grahame / Wayne RutledgeGoaliesCap Raeder
Don LarwayGoalsTom Webster (2)
Mike Rogers
Nick Fotiu
Ralph Backstrom
Garry Swain
40
(9–13–18)		Shots28
(11–10–7)
May 16New England Whalers0–2
(0–1, 0–0, 0–1)		Houston AerosThe Summitt
Cap RaederGoaliesRon Grahame
No scoringGoalsPoul Popiel
Mark Howe
21
(9–5–7)		Shots37
(10–16–11)

Avco Cup Finals

The first two games were tight affairs that Winnipeg won before a four-goal first period in Game 3 and three in the first period in Game 4 carried them to victory.[7]

May 20 Winnipeg Jets 4–3 Houston Aeros The Summit  
13:08 - Anders Hedberg (Hull, Nilsson)
15:36 - Lyle Moffat (Beaudin, Lindh) 		First period 9:37 - Frank Hughes (Butters, Hale) 9:37
19:35 - Mark Howe (West, Hale)
16:10 - Anders Hedberg (Bergman) Second period No scoring
16:43 - Bobby Hull (Nilsson) Third period 0:46 - Mark Howe (Preston)
Joe Daley 26 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Ron Grahame 25 shots / 29 shots
May 23 Winnipeg Jets 5–4 Houston Aeros The Summit  
13:52 - Anders Hedberg (Nilsson) First period No scoring
2:17 - Willy Lindström (Sullivan, Bergman)
16:53 - Asmundson (Lesuk, Guindon) 		Second period 1:22 - Gordie Howe (M. Howe, Schella)
12:44 - Marty Howe (Hall)
5:19 - Thommie Bergman
18:06 - Bobby Hull (Bergman, Hedberg) 		Third period 1:29 - Terry Ruskowski (Preston, Popiel)
3:23 - Marty Howe (Taylor, Popiel)
Joe Daley 28 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Ron Grahame 21 saves / 26 shots
May 25 Houston Aeros 3–6 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
3:48 - Mark Howe (Schella) First period 2:24 - Veli-Pekka Ketola (Lindstrom, Riihiranta)
3:23 - Ulf Nilsson (Hedberg)
8:49 - Anders Hedberg (Ford, Ketola)
11:33 - Peter Sullivan (Hull, Lindstrom)
14:28 - Don Larway (Marty Howe, Tonelli) Second period 7:46 - Ulf Nilsson (Sjoberg)
13:22 - Don Larway (Tonelli, Ruskowski) Third period 1:44 - Ulf Nilsson
Ron Grahame 19 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Joe Daley 15 saves / 18 shots
May 27 Houston Aeros 3–9 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
9:45 - Ted Taylor (Labossiere, Marty Howe) First period 5:47 - Bobby Hull (Ford, Nilsson)
10:22 - Veli-Pekka Ketola (Ford, Hull)
11:21 - Lyle Moffat (Sjoberg, Ford)
No scoring Second period 1:07 - Veli-Pekka Ketola (Lindstrom, Sullivan)
3:11 - Anders Hedberg (Nilsson, Hull)
9:19 - Anders Hedberg (Nilsson)
12:14 - Peter Sullivan (Hillman)
No scoring Third period 1:33 - Peter Sullivan (Ford, Riihiranta)
9:30 - Bob Guindon (Riihiranta, Ketola) 9:30
Ron Grahame 24 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Joe Daley 14 saves / 17 shots
Winnipeg won series 4–0


Statistical leaders

Skaters

These were the top ten skaters based on points.[8]

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Ulf Nilsson Winnipeg Jets 13 7 19 26 15 6
Bobby Hull Winnipeg Jets 13 12 8 20 15 4
Anders Hedberg Winnipeg Jets 13 13 6 19 16 15
Tom Webster New England Whalers 17 10 9 19 3 6
Mark Howe Houston Aeros 17 6 10 16 0 18
Terry Ruskowski Houston Aeros 16 6 10 16 8 64
Rosaire Paiement New England Whalers 17 4 11 15 3 41
John Tonelli Houston Aeros 17 7 7 14 8 8
Thommie Bergman Winnipeg Jets 13 3 10 13 10 8
Mike Ford Winnipeg Jets 12 1 12 13 8 8
Mike Rogers New England Whalers 17 5 8 13 1 2
Peter Sullivan Winnipeg Jets 13 6 7 13 7 0

References

  1. ^ "The Complete World Hockey Association - 1975-76 Playoff Results".
  2. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 222-223, 246-247. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  3. ^ Sportak, Randy (January 29, 2005). "Wanna be a Cowboy". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
  4. ^ a b c Bilych, George (April 12, 1976). "Cowboys, Nordiques brawl gives hockey a black eye". Calgary Herald. p. 1.
  5. ^ a b Willes, Ed (2004), The Rebel League, McClelland & Stewart, p. 167, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3
  6. ^ Willes 2004, p. 168
  7. ^ "The Complete World Hockey Association - 1976 AVCO Cup Championship Finals".
  8. ^ "1976 WHA Playoffs Skater Statistics".

WHA playoffs

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_WHA_playoffs
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