1973 WHA playoffs

WHA postseason tournament August 2023 WHA playoffs 1973 April 4 – May 6, 1973 8 None New England Whalers Winnipeg Jets Scoring leader(s) Norm Beaudin (Jets) 28 points 1974 The 1973 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1972–73 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New England Whalers defeating the Western Division champion Winnipeg Jets in five games for the first Avco Cup championship. They lost just three playoff games total in their Avco Cup run, which included a perfect 9–0 record at home. The peak attendance for a playoff game that year was Game 4 of the Avco Cup Final when 13,697 people attended at Boston Garden. Norm Beaudin of the Winnipeg Jets led all teams in goals (13) and points scored (28). Playoff seeds The top four teams in each division made the playoffs. Ottawa narrowly made the playoffs by three points over Quebec while Minnesota got in by virtue of a play-in game versus Alberta. Eastern Division New England Whalers, Eastern Division champions – 94 points Cleveland Crusaders – 89 points Philadelphia Blazers – 76 points Ontario Nationals – 74 points Western Division Winnipeg Jets, Western Division champions – 90 points Houston Aeros – 82 points Los Angeles Sharks – 80 points Minnesota Fighting Saints – 79 points Bracket Eastern Division Western Division E1 New England Whalers 4 E4 Ontario Nationals 1 E2 Cleveland Crusaders 4 E3 Philadelphia Blazers 0 W1 Winnipeg Jets 4 W4 Minnesota Fighting Saints 1 W2 Houston Aeros 4 W3 Los Angeles Sharks 2 E1 New England Whalers 4 E2 Cleveland Crusaders 1 W1 Winnipeg Jets 4 W2 Houston Aeros 0 E1 New England Whalers 4 W1 Winnipeg Jets 1 Fourth Place Tiebreaker Game At the end of the season, the WHA had a problem involving the fourth and final team to make the postseason in the Western Division. The Alberta Oilers and Minnesota Fighting Saints finished the season with the same record of 38–37–3 after Alberta beat Minnesota on March 30 by a score of 5–3 for their fourth victory in eight contests. The league had done a directive on March 21 that would do away with having a playoff game to settle ties, instead favoring tiebreakers for those with more wins over the other team while also stating that in the event of each team being even, the next tiebreaker would be victories within the Western Division, which favored the Oilers (21 wins) over Minnesota (17 wins). However, Minnesota challenged the rule and got the backing of the WHA owners on their side to instead go with a one-game playoff to settle ties here, with Alberta owner Bill Hunter calling the Saints organization "the No. 1 award for bushers."https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-apr-02-1973-5149764/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Saints Have Fighting Chance To Gain Playoff Berth The Evening Tribune Associated Press April 2, 1973 May 29, 2025 Newspaper Archivehttps://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-apr-04-1973-5149766/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Newspaper Archive Saints' Extra Chance Tonight Brainerd Daily Dispatch Associated Press April 4, 1973 May 29, 2025 The league Board of Governors, meeting quickly to decide, elected to move on a one-game playoff while allowing the Oilers to have a choice of site, and due to prior booking in Edmonton, the team elected to pick Calgary to host the one-game playoff. Mel Pearson scored the first goal seventeen minutes into the game for the Fighting Saints.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-apr-05-1973-5149762/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Newspaper Archive Saints wrap up 4th playoff spot Associated Press Winona Daily News April 5, 1973 May 29, 2025https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/reflecting-on-the-humble-beginnings-of-oilers-hockey-fifty-years-ago-today Reflecting on the humble beginnings of Oilers' hockey, fifty years ago today Edmonton Journal McCurdy Bruce October 11, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221011180621/https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/reflecting-on-the-humble-beginnings-of-oilers-hockey-fifty-years-ago-today October 11, 2022 April 3, 2025https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-alberta-oilers-vs-minnesota-fighting-saints-preliminary-round.html 1973 WHA Preliminary Round: ALO vs. MFS Hockey Reference June 21, 2026 #f0f0f0 April 4 Minnesota Fighting Saints Alberta Oilers 4–2 (1–0, 1–0, 2–2) Box score Mike Curran (22 saves / 25 shots) Jack Norris (20 saves / 24 shots) 17:15 (1st) – Mel Pearson11:07 (2nd) – Wayne Connelly (Terry Ball, John Arbour)3:14 (3rd) – Mike Antonovich (Bill Young, John Arbour)3:34 (3rd) – Bill Young (Mike McMahon, Wayne Connelly) 6:37 (3rd) – Ron Walters (Jim Harrison, Dennis Kassian)8:25 (3rd) – Ken Baird (Bob Wall, Rusty Patenaude) Calgary Corral 6,302 24 25 Game summaryShots by Minnesota: 24 (5–11–8); Shots by Alberta: 25 (11–8–6) Division Semifinals Eastern Division Semifinals (E1) New England Whalers vs. (E4) Ontario Nationals New England had gone 5–3 against the Nationals in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-new-england-whalers-vs-ottawa-nationals-east-division-semi-finals.html 1973 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: NEW vs. OTN Owing to a dispute with the city of Ottawa, the Nationals elected to play their playoff games at Maple Leaf Gardens rather than their regular season home of the Ottawa Civic Centre. The equipment for the team was placed in Maple Leaf Gardens on the eve of Game 1.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-04-1973-5665662/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Suddenly, Nats Are Popular Winnipeg Free Press April 4, 1973 Gordon Grant May 21, 2025 Newspaper Archive The team called themselves the "Ontario Nationals" for the playoffs and never played in Ottawa again, as they were sold to interests that had them play in Toronto as the Toronto Toros. Brit Selby and Mike Byers each scored game-winning goals in overtime to win games for the Whalers, with the latter being the first to end a postseason series with an overtime goal that saw the Whalers send the Nationals home.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-16-1973-5665663/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Whalers wrap up Ottawa The Stars and Stripes Associated Press April 16, 1973 May 21, 2025 Newspaper Archive #f0f0f0 April 7 Ottawa Nationals New England Whalers 3–6 (0–1, 1–2, 2–3) Box score Les Binkley Al Smith 4:30 (2nd) – Bob Charlebois (G. Trottier, K. Stephanson)1:29 (3rd) – Jack Gibson15:14 (3rd) – Rick Cunningham (G. Trottier, B. Leduc) 15:07 (1st) – Larry Pleau (T. Webster, B. Selwood)11:48 (2nd) – Kevin Ahearn (J. Dorey, M. Byers)18:32 (2nd) – Tommy Williams (M. Byers, J. Dorey)3:37 (3rd) – Mike Byers (J. Dorey, K. Ahearn)16:51 (3rd) – Brit Selby (J. Dorey, T. Webster)19:41 (3rd) – Terry Caffery (B. Selby, T. Webster) Boston Garden 9,359 28(7–5–16) 58(19–19–20) #d0d0d0 April 8 Ottawa Nationals New England Whalers 3–4 (OT) (2–0, 0–2, 1–1, 0–1) 6,156 Box score Gilles Gratton Al Smith 5:37 (1st) – Brian Conacher15:59 (1st) – Gavin Kirk19:06 (3rd) – Ron Climie 5:41 (2nd) – Tom Webster18:49 (2nd) – Tom Webster13:47 (3rd) – Brad Selwood3:37 (OT) – Brit Selby Boston Garden 29(15–6–6–2) 57(16–22–15–4) #f0f0f0 April 10 New England Whalers Ottawa Nationals 2–4 (0–2, 1–1, 1–1) Box score Al Smith Les Binkley 7:53 (2nd) – Tom Webster15:23 (3rd) – Tom Webster 4:43 (1st) – Rick Sentes15:11 (1st) – Ken Stephanson18:10 (2nd) – Guy Trottier12:23 (3rd) – Rick Sentes Maple Leaf Gardens 4,879 30(11–10–9) 25(6–8–11) #d0d0d0 April 12 New England Whalers Ottawa Nationals 7–3 (3–0, 3–2, 1–1) Box score Al Smith Les Binkley 3:14 (1st) – Larry Pleau3:40 (1st) – Tommy Williams15:24 (1st) – Terry Caffery6:47 (2nd) – Tommy Williams13:43 (2nd) – Terry Caffery17:54 (2nd) – Tommy Williams16:14 (3rd) – Mike Byers 7:07 (2nd) – Wayne Carleton14:34 (2nd)- Wayne Carleton13:01 (3rd) – Wayne Carleton Maple Leaf Gardens 3,941 35(11–13–11) 18(5–8–5) #f0f0f0 April 14 Ottawa Nationals New England Whalers 4–5 (OT) (1–2, 1–2, 2–0, 0–1) Box score Gilles GrattonLes Binkley Al Smith 10:56 (1st) – Gavin Kirk19:45 (2nd) – Tom Simpson6:12 (3rd) – Rick Sentes13:40 (3rd) – Brian Gibbons 8:48 (1st) – Tom Webster 13:21 (1st) – Tom Webster 3:00 (2nd) – Larry Pleau12:52 (2nd) – Tom Webster3:47 (OT) – Mike Byers Boston Garden 12,033 30(7–10–13–0) 39(14–10–9–6) (E2) Cleveland Crusaders vs. (E3) Philadelphia Blazers The Crusaders finished as the second-best team in the East with a 43–32–3 record and led the league in goals allowed with just 239 to go with a 4th best offense with 287 goals. The Philadelphia Blazers squeaked into the postseason as the 3rd team with a record of 38–40–0 to go with the third best offense with 288 goals scored and a 10th ranked defense with 305 allowed. Cleveland had gone 6–4 against Philadelphia in the regular season. https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-cleveland-crusaders-vs-philadelphia-blazers-east-division-semi-finals.html 1973 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: CLC vs. PHB In the first game, Ron Buchanan became the first WHA player to score a playoff overtime goal that gave Cleveland a 3–2 victory.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-05-1973-5665664/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ John Ribar Blazers' bid falls short in overtime Bucks County Courier Times April 5, 1973 Newspaper Archive It wound up also being the last WHA game played by Bernie Parent, who elected to leave the team in a contract dispute where the team had apparently dipped into the escrow account meant to play Parent's salary that essentially saw his contract voided. In Game 2, Cleveland held Philadelphia scoreless for the first 56 minutes in a 7–1 win while Gary Jarrett became the first WHA player to accomplish a playoff hat-trick (six further players joined him in the postseason).https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/philadelphia-blazers-world-hockey-association-bernie-parent-rival-flyers-20230401.html Dave Caldwell In 1972-73, Philly had two pro hockey teams. Here's the wild story of the short-lived Blazers of the WHA The Philadelphia Inquirer April 2, 2023 December 12, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251212040925/https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/philadelphia-blazers-world-hockey-association-bernie-parent-rival-flyers-20230401.html https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-08-1973-5665670/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ John Ribar Parent disappears; Blazers outclassed Bucks County Courier Times April 8, 1973 Newspaper Archive 27 total penalties were called in Game 3 (twenty combined in the first two periods), but Philadelphia went missed out of all of their ten power-play chances while Cleveland scored the first goal of the game on a shot that was rebounded off the foot of Don Burgess on the very first shot Cleveland did with 13 minutes remaining in the first period and did not trail from there for a 3–1 win. A four-goal second period in Game 4 helped the Crusaders to a 6–2 victory to finish the sweep.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-09-1973-5665671/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ John Ribar Blazers' fire smothered by Crusaders Bucks County Courier Times Newspaper Archive April 9, 1973 https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-12-1973-5665672/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ John Ribar Blazers fizzle out in playoffs Bucks County Courier Times April 12, 1973 Newspaper Archive The Blazers moved to Vancouver in the offseason. Surgent Scott 1990 The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition Surgent 74 978-1727753424https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197273/playoffs.html The Complete World Hockey Association - 1972-73 Playoff Results #f0f0f0 April 4 Philadelphia Blazers Cleveland Crusaders 2–3 (OT) (0–0, 0–2, 2–0, 0–1) Box score Bernie Parent Gerry Cheevers 7:31 (3rd) – John McKenzie16:50 (3rd) – John McKenzie 0:52 (2nd) – Paul Shmyr17:43 (2nd) – Ray Clearwater9:44 (OT) – Ron Buchanan Cleveland Arena 3,624 39(14–10–8–7) 45(7–18–16–4) #d0d0d0 April 7 Philadelphia Blazers Cleveland Crusaders 1–7 (0–2, 0–4, 1–1) Box score Marcel PailleYves Archambault Gerry Cheevers 16:04 (3rd) – Rychard Campeau 11:51 (1st) – Gary Jarrett16:40 (1st) – Jim Wiste5:15 (2nd) – Jim Wiste5:51 (2nd) – Gerry Pinder6:10 (2nd) – Gary Jarrett 11:20 (2nd) – Grant Erickson4:19 (3rd) – Gary Jarrett Cleveland Arena 8,262 30(4–15–11) 38(13–16–9) #f0f0f0 April 8 Cleveland Crusaders Philadelphia Blazers 1–3 (1–0, 1–1, 1–0) Box score Gerry Cheevers Yves Archambault 7:03 (1st) – Paul Andrea2:15 (2nd) – Grant Erickson13:07 (3rd) – Gary Jarrett 8:01 (2nd) – Don Burgess Philadelphia Civic Center 4,023 21(9–5–7) 24(10–8–6) #d0d0d0 April 11 Cleveland Crusaders Philadelphia Blazers 6–2 (1–1, 4–1, 1–0) Box score Gerry Cheevers Yves Archambault 10:34 (1st) – Gerry Pinder2:06 (2nd) – Paul Andrea4:16 (2nd) – Skip Krake5:05 (2nd) – Jim Wiste17:49 (2nd) – Bob Dillabough4:13 (3rd) – Rich Pumple 12:36 (1st) – Don Herriman18:55 (2nd) – John McKenzie Philadelphia Civic Center 3,211 32(10–12–10) 34(10–11–13) Western Division Semifinals (W1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (W4) Minnesota Fighting Saints The Winnipeg Jets marched in as the best team in the Western Division with a 43–31–4 record that excelled at defense, holding teams to 249 goals allowed (2nd of 12 teams) with a passable 5th-ranked offense. The Minnesota Fighting Saints, having survived the tiebreaker and marching in with a 38–37–3 record that had a weak offense (250 goals, 11th of 12 teams) and a middling defense (6th). Winnipeg had gone 4–3–1 against Minnesota in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-minnesota-fighting-saints-vs-winnipeg-jets-west-division-semi-finals.html 1973 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: MFS vs. WNJ In Game 1, player-coach Bobby Hull scored two goals after scoring just one goal in five contests against Minnesota in the regular season to give Winnipeg a 3–1 victory. In Game 2, the teams were tied midway into the second period before a power play opportunity was completed by Wally Boyer to give the Jets a 3–2 lead they would never let go of, as they added two further goals to go up 2–0 in the series.https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-apr-07-1973-p-5/ John Korobanik Hull credits linemates for 2-goal performance Medicine Hat News April 7, 1973 https://newspaperarchive.com/brandon-sun-apr-09-1973-p-6/ John Korobanik Hull has helpers Brandon Sun April 9, 1973 https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-apr-09-1973-p-14/ AP Jets ice 5-2 win over Saints The Daily Journal April 9, 1973 Now back in Minnesota for Game 3, the Fighting Saints struck back with a four-goal first period on their way to a 6–4 victory.https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-apr-11-1973-p-13/ Associated Press Johnson Paces Saints' 6-4 Win Brainerd Daily Dispatch April 11, 1973 In Game 4, a tight affair saw Bill Sutherland send the game into overtime with 45 seconds remaining in regulation for Winnipeg. In overtime, a Norm Beaudin shot resulted in a save by Mike Curran and a faceoff. On the faceoff, when trying to switch sides of the net to defend in the net, Curran had the butt end of his stick get stuck in the netting to where Beaudin had a perfect net to shoot in the game-winning goal for Winnipeg.https://newspaperarchive.com/brandon-sun-apr-12-1973-p-8/ Associated Press Jets skin Saints 3-2 Daily Journal April 12, 1973 A five-goal second period in Game 5 bolstered the Jets to an 8–5 victory in Game 5.https://newspaperarchive.com/brandon-sun-apr-16-1973-p-7/ Jets whip the Saints to win WHA series Brandon Sun April 16, 1973 #f0f0f0 April 6 Minnesota Fighting Saints Winnipeg Jets 1–3 (0–1, 0–0, 1–2) Box score Jack McCartan Ernie Wakely 7:09 (3rd) – Mike Antonovich 6:37 (1st) – Bobby Hull10:03 (3rd) – Bobby Hull15:04 (3rd) – Christian Bordeleau Winnipeg Arena 7,354 29(9–11–9) 29(8–12–9) #d0d0d0 April 8 Minnesota Fighting Saints Winnipeg Jets 2–5 (1–1, 1–2, 0–2) Box score Jack McCartan Joe Daley 6:16 (1st) – George Morrison12:45 (2nd) – Ted Hampson 5:25 (1st) – Christian Bordeleau3:28 (2nd) – Danny Johnson18:04 (2nd) – Wally Boyer0:57 (3rd) – Norm Beaudin19:15 (3rd) – Bobby Hull Winnipeg Arena 8,425 27(7–11–9) 47(17–7–13) #f0f0f0 April 10 Winnipeg Jets Minnesota Fighting Saints 4–6 (2–4, 1–0, 1–2) Box score Ernie Wakely Jack McCartan 9:40 (1st) – Bill Sutherland15:33 (1st) – Dunc Rousseau8:56 (2nd) – Cal Swenson4:03 (3rd) – Jean-Guy Gratton 2:26 (1st) – Bill Klatt12:43 (1st) – Bill Young13:24 (1st) – Jim Johnson17:03 (1st) – Wayne Connelly6:10 (3rd) – Jim Johnson9:20 (3rd) – Leonard Lilyholm St. Paul Civic Center 5,151 40(16–14–10) 30(13–9–8) #d0d0d0 April 11 Winnipeg Jets Minnesota Fighting Saints 3–2 (OT) (1–1, 0–1, 1–0, 1–0) Box score Joe Daley Mike Curran 6:35 (1st) – Larry Hornung19:15 (3rd) – Bill Sutherland3:12 (OT) – Norm Beaudin 5:17 (1st) – Ted Hampson18:14 (2nd) – Terry Ball St. Paul Civic Center 6,982 41(12–9–16–4) 34(13–13–7–1) #f0f0f0 April 15 Minnesota Fighting Saints Winnipeg Jets 5–8 (2–2, 2–5, 1–1) Box score Mike CurranJack McCartan Ernie Wakely 4:53 (1st) – Mel Pearson11:47 (1st) – Keith Christiansen0:07 (2nd) – Mike Antonovich12:06 (2nd) – Mel Pearson14:43 (3rd) – Ted Hampson 2:31 (1st) – Norm Beaudin14:22 (1st) – Bob Ash3:15 (2nd) – Bill Sutherland 4:15 (2nd) – Norm Beaudin5:29 (2nd) – Ab McDonald7:08 (2nd) – Joe Zanussi17:06 (2nd) – Norm Beaudin7:13 (3rd) – Bill Sutherland Winnipeg Arena 8,852 42(8–14–20) 34(13–12–9) (W2) Houston Aeros vs. (W3) Los Angeles Sharks Los Angeles had gone 6–3–1 against Houston in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-houston-aeros-vs-los-angeles-sharks-west-division-semi-finals.html 1973 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: HSA vs. LAS A barrage of goals in the span of three minutes in Game 1 from the Aeros made the Sharks change goalies from George Gardner to Russ Gillow, but the Aeros dominated regardless, with six different players each recording a goal. The two teams traded victories before Murray Hall tied the series on an unassisted goal three minutes into sudden-death overtime. Back in Houston, the Aeros scored twice in the first nine minutes and never trailed from there to a 6–3 victory. In Game 6 in Los Angeles, the Aeros led in the first minute of play on a goal by Frank Hughes, and he scored again midway through the period to give them a 2–0 lead. Los Angeles narrowed it to 2–1 on a goal by Ralph MacSweyn but Murray Hall made it a two-goal lead late in the second period. Fred Speck narrowed it for Los Angeles to one goal with 15:01 to play but the Aeros held firm from there to win the game and the series.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-06-1973-5665686/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Pro Hockey Playoffs Ironwood Daily Globe April 6, 1973 Newspaper Archivehttps://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-14-1973-5665687/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Newspaper Archive Medicine Hat News Canadian Press April 14, 1973 Aeros tie serieshttps://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-18-1973-5665688/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ April 18, 1973 UPI Pomona Progress Bulletin Newspaper Archive Sharks fall to Houston, end season #f0f0f0 April 5 Los Angeles Sharks Houston Aeros 2–7 (0–3, 1–1, 1–3) Box score George GardnerRuss Gillow Wayne Rutledge 13:21 (2nd) – Jim Niekamp10:40 (3rd) – Jim Niekamp 8:03 (1st) – Larry Hale10:02 (1st) – Brian McDonald10:46 (1st) – Ted Taylor1:57 (2nd) – Ed Hoekstra2:47 (3rd) – Larry Lund5:05 - Dunc McCallum17:30 (3rd) – Ted Taylor Sam Houston Coliseum 6,181 30(12–8–10) 31(8–12–11) #d0d0d0 April 7 Los Angeles Sharks Houston Aeros 4–2 (1–1, 0–1, 3–0) Box score George Gardner Wayne Rutledge 3:14 (1st) – Gary Veneruzzo1:26 (3rd) – Ted McCaskill18:22 (3rd) – Gary Veneruzzo19:02 (3rd) – Tom Gilmore 14:19 (1st) – Murray Hall14:19 (2nd) – Brian McDonald Sam Houston Coliseum 7,773 28(8–10–10) 29(13–10–6) #f0f0f0 April 11 Houston Aeros Los Angeles Sharks 2–3 (2–3, 0–0, 0–0) Box score Don McLeod Russ Gillow 7:59 (1st) – Dunc McCallum12:31 (1st) – Brian McDonald 4:33 (1st) – Alton White5:39 (1st) – Fred Speck7:14 (1st) – Gerry Odrowski Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 4,788 31(7–12–12) 28(10–13–5) #d0d0d0 April 13 Houston Aeros Los Angeles Sharks 3–2 (OT) (0–0, 1–1, 1–1, 1–0) Box score Wayne Rutledge Russ Gillow 6:49 (2nd) – Larry Lund6:33 (3rd) – Poul Popiel3:38 (OT) – Murray Hall 14:45 (2nd) – Ted McCaskill5:18 (3rd) – Fred Speck Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 6,849 24(6–10–5–3) 37(14–12–10–1) #f0f0f0 April 15 Los Angeles Sharks Houston Aeros 3–6 (2–3, 0–2, 1–1) Box score George GardnerRuss Gillow Wayne Rutledge 10:02 (1st) – Earl Heiskala16:27 (1st) – Gary Veneruzzo9:08 (3rd) – Jerry Zrymiak 4:48 (1st) – Frank Hughes9:18 (1st) – Poul Popiel12:06 (1st) – Frank Hughes2:13 (2nd) – Larry Lund19:16 (2nd) – Gord Labossiere5:33 (3rd) – Murray Hall Sam Houston Coliseum 6,060 41(16–11–14) 27(11–9–7) #d0d0d0 April 17 Houston Aeros Los Angeles Sharks 3–2 (2–0, 1–1, 0–1) Box score Wayne Rutledge Russ Gillow 0:42 (1st) – Frank Hughes12:40 (1st) – Frank Hughes17:15 (2nd) – Murray Hall 2:24 (2nd) – Ralph MacSweyn4:59 (3rd) – Fred Speck Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 6,118 30(9–11–10) 32(11–11–10) Division Finals Eastern Division Final (E1) New England Whalers vs. (E2) Cleveland Crusaders New England went 5–3 in the regular season against Cleveland. Amidst sweltering heat that reportedly was at 85 degrees in the Boston Garden in front of 6,101 fans, the Whalers took Game 1 with a goal by Tim Sheehy in the last 25 seconds.https://newspaperarchive.com/medina-county-gazette-apr-19-1973-p-6/ Whalers' Final Minute Score Spoils Cheevers' Performance Medina County Gazette April 19, 1973 Gil Peters July 21, 2025http://wha-hof.com/gamesummary.php?id=1326 WHA Hall of Fame March 1, 2026 WHA Game Summary New England beat Cleveland in five games.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-cleveland-crusaders-vs-new-england-whalers-east-division-finals.html 1973 WHA East Division Finals: CLC vs. NEW #f0f0f0 April 18 Cleveland Crusaders New England Whalers 2–3 (0–1, 0–0, 2–2) Box score Gerry Cheevers Al Smith 2:48 (3rd) – Ron Buchanan12:29 (3rd) – Rich Pumple 4:56 (1st) – Tim Sheehy15:40 (3rd) – Larry Pleau19:35 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy Boston Garden 6,101 26(10–11–5) 32(5–8–19) #d0d0d0 April 19 Cleveland Crusaders New England Whalers 2–3 (2–1, 0–2, 0–0) Box score Gerry Cheevers Al Smith 3:15 (1st) – Ron Buchanan5:19 (1st) – Wayne Muloin 6:19 (1st) – Tom Webster5:22 (2nd) – Larry Pleau8:47 (2nd) – Larry Pleau Boston Garden 7,119 31(11–11–9) 34(13–12–9) #f0f0f0 April 21 New England Whalers Cleveland Crusaders 5–4 (2–1, 1–1, 2–2) Box score Al Smith Gerry Cheevers 9:38 (1st) – Guy Smith15:01 (1st) – Jim Dorey12:51 (2nd) – Larry Pleau11:47 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy 18:04 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy 13:35 (1st) – Gary Jarrett14:58 (2nd) – Ted Hodgson9:19 (3rd) – Ron Buchanan19:31 (3rd) – Ron Buchanan Cleveland Arena 8,391 27(6–12–9) 21(5–10–6) #d0d0d0 April 22 New England Whalers Cleveland Crusaders 2–5 (1–2, 0–1, 1–2) Box score Al Smith Gerry Cheevers 3:26 (1st) – Tim Sheehy1:16 (3rd) – Larry Pleau 3:11 (1st) – Ron Buchanan19:39 (1st) – Ron Buchanan10:17 (2nd) – Gary Jarrett6:33 (3rd) – Gary Jarrett15:21 (3rd) – Gary Jarrett Cleveland Arena 4,183 36(8–17–11) 33(13–9–11) #f0f0f0 April 26 Cleveland Crusaders New England Whalers 1–3 (1–1, 0–1, 0–1) Box score Gerry Cheevers Al Smith 10:01 (1st) – Rich Pumple 19:48 (1st) – Tim Sheehy16:36 (2nd) – Tommy Earl7:49 (3rd) – Brad Selwood Boston Garden 7,689 31(12–10–9) 32(9–16–7) Western Division Final (W1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (W2) Houston Aeros Winnipeg went 6–2 against Houston in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-houston-aeros-vs-winnipeg-jets-west-division-finals.html 1973 WHA West Division Finals: HSA vs. WNJ Winnipeg dominated the Aeros for a large majority of the series, where they had a goal in all but three of the twelve combined periods and being tied in just two of them.https://newspaperarchive.com/brandon-sun-apr-27-1973-p-12/ Aeros swept out the door Associated Press The Brandon Sun April 27, 1973 July 21, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 20 Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets 1–5 (0–3, 1–1, 0–1) Box score 7,044 Wayne Rutledge Joe Daley 19:18 (3rd) – Duke Harris (D. McCallum) – sh 8:13 (1st) – Bill Sutherland (B. Ash)16:02 (1st) – Wally Boyer (M. Black, J. Zanussi)18:09 (1st) – Danny Johnson (D. Asmundson, B. Hull)1:42 (2nd) – Bobby Hull (B. Sutherland, N. Beaudin)3:42 (3rd) – Wally Boyer Winnipeg Arena 22(6–8–8) 29(12–9–8) #d0d0d0 April 22 Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets 0–2 (0–0, 0–0, 0–2) Box score Don McLeod Ernie Wakely No scoring 15:29 (3rd) – Dunc Rousseau (L. Hornung, M. Black)19:22 (3rd) – Norm Beaudin (C. Bordeleau) – en Winnipeg Arena 5,029 28(4–13–11) 27(10–7–10) #f0f0f0 April 24 Winnipeg Jets Houston Aeros 4–2 (2–0, 1–0, 1–2) Box score Joe Daley Don McLeod 12:29 (1st) – Joe Zanussi19:59 (1st) – Norm Beaudin (B. Sutherland, B. Hull)17:47 (2nd) – Bobby Hull (L. Hornung, A. McDonald) – pp 17:49 (3rd) – Christian Bordeleau (J. Zanussi) 1:44 (3rd) – Ted Taylor (L. Lund, F. Hughes)4:38 (3rd) – Jack Stanfield (K. Mortson, L. Hale) Sam Houston Coliseum 6,722 22(8–5–9) 40(19–12–9) #d0d0d0 April 26 Winnipeg Jets Houston Aeros 3–0 (1–0, 0–0, 2–0) Box score Ernie Wakely Wayne Rutledge 14:20 (1st) – Norm Beaudin (L. Hornung)4:33 (3rd) – Larry Hornung (D. Rousseau)14:22 (3rd) – Norm Beaudin (B. Hull) No scoring Sam Houston Coliseum 6,362 32(11–12–9) 25(8–12–5) Avco Cup Final (W1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (E1) New England Whalers The first Avco Cup matched the Western Division champion Winnipeg Jets, as coached by player-coach Bobby Hull versus the Eastern Division champion New England Whalers, ascoached by Jack Kelley; in the regular season, the Whalers went 5–1 versus the Jets and were tabbed as slight favorites. 6,526 fans saw the first ever Avco Cup game at Boston Garden.https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-apr-30-1973-p-34/ Whalers jump to fast start; top Winnipeg in opening game Lowell Sun Associated Press April 30, 1973 June 5, 2025 Due to a conflict in dates with a circus, the Whalers hosted Game 1 while Winnipeg hosted Game 2 and Game 3 before the Whalers hosted Game 4 and Game 5. A potential Game 6 would've been "hosted" by the Jets in Toronto.https://newspaperarchive.com/ohio-mansfield-news-journal-apr-29-1973-p-33/ WHA begins World Cup Ohio Mansfield News Journal UPI April 29, 1973 June 5, 2025https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-may-02-1973-5689442/ Newspaper Archive May 2, 1973 Brandon Sun Rizzuto feels Jets are ready Canadian Press May 14, 2026 New England scored four goals in the opening period of Game 1 despite being outshot 14–7; Norm Beaudin scored the first Avco Cup Final goal at 10:02 in the first period for Winnipeg, but Rick Ley tied it for New England with a power play goal two minutes later as the first of the Whaler barrage. Tom Webster scored two goals in the game while Tommy Williams provided three assists in the resulting 7–2 victory. In Game 2, Winnipeg had two-goal leads in the first and second periods, but the Whalers shut them out in the third period while scoring five unanswered goals to win 7–4.https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-03-1973-p-55/ Like a Tide, Whalers Engulf Jets Reyn Davis Winnipeg Free Press May 3, 1973 July 21, 2025 7,200 saw Game 3 in Winnipeg go into a tight finish, as a 3–0 Winnipeg lead was snapped by Rick Ley with just five minutes to go into the second period before goals by Ted Green and Tim Sheehy in the third period tied the game. But 37 seconds after the Sheehy goal, with 1:04 remaining in the game, Hull gave the Jets the go-ahead lead with his goal as the Jets held on to win Game 3.https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-04-1973-p-45/ Hull Resurrects Sagging Jets Reyn Davis Winnipeg Free Press May 4, 1973 July 21, 2025 Winnipeg had a lead in three of the five games, but the Whalers came back twice to go along with a powerful scoring attack that saw fourteen different players score a goal for the team in the series. Game 4 (with 13,967 attending fans) saw Winnipeg take an early lead on Bobby Hull's goal in the first period, but the Whalers scored two goals in the second period to take the lead before adding two more in the third period, with Mike Byers having two goals for the night.https://newspaperarchive.com/victoria-daily-colonist-may-06-1973-p-16/ WHA Whalers Within Win Of Becoming First Champs Victoria Daily Colonist May 6, 1973 July 21, 2025 In Game 5 to 11,186 fans, New England took an early lead with Tom Webster scoring a goal 21 seconds into the game. Four minutes later, Larry Pleau scored a shorthanded goal to give them a 2–0 lead. The two teams then traded goals as the Whalers led 5–2 after one period. Winnipeg clawed back in the second period to narrow it to a 6–4 deficit, and Bob Woytowich got it to 6–5 with 15:01 remaining. But Larry Pleau responded for the Whalers with a goal just 45 seconds later at 5:44 that ended up being the series-winning goal to make it 7–5. He added another goal over a minute later to give New England an insurmountable 8–5 lead along with making him the first player to achieve a hat trick in the Avco Cup Final. The two teams traded goals for the remaining minutes.https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-07-1973-p-41/ A Native Bostonian Came Home To Star Reyn Davis Winnipeg Free Press May 7, 1973 July 21, 2025 The victory for the Whalers was particularly satisfying for Whalers captain Ted Green, who had played for the NHL Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden the previous year when they won the Stanley Cup. Differing sources stated that Green and his teammates skated around with the Eastern Division championship trophy or a trophy acquired at a store, as the Avco World Trophy was not completed at the time.https://puckstruck.com/2020/05/06/whalers-won-but-the-cup-was-a-no-show/ Whalers won, but the cup was a no-show Puckstruck May 6, 2020 New England won nine consecutive home playoff games. Howard Baldwin issued a challenge to the 1973 Stanley Cup champion for a one-game playoff on neutral ice to claim the Cup, but the league never responded.https://the-avocado.org/2023/05/06/the-1973-new-england-whalers-day-thread/ The Avocado The 1973 New England Whalers Day Thread May 6, 2020https://dailymcplay.com/2024/12/28/wha-saturday-1973-awards-analysis/ WHA Saturday: 1973 Awards Analysis Dailymcplay.com December 28, 2024 https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-may-07-1973-5665673/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Whalers Wrap Up WHA Trophy In Five Games Newport Daily News Associated Press May 7, 1973 June 5, 2025 Newspaper Archivehttps://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/07/archives/whalers-take-first-wha-title-boston-defeats-jets-96-on-five-goals.html Whalers Take First W.H.A. Title The New York Times Associated Press May 7, 1973 April 3, 2025http://wha-hof.com/gamesummary.php?id=636 WHA Game Summary (Game 1) WHA Hall of Fame March 1, 2026http://wha-hof.com/gamesummary.php?id=637 WHA Game Summary (Game 2) WHA Hall of Fame March 1, 2026http://wha-hof.com/gamesummary.php?id=638 WHA Game Summary (Game 3) WHA Hall of Fame March 1, 2026http://wha-hof.com/gamesummary.php?id=639 WHA Game Summary (Game 4) WHA Hall of Fame March 1, 2026http://wha-hof.com/gamesummary.php?id=640 WHA Game Summary (Game 5) WHA Hall of Fame March 1, 2026 New England Whalers Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena Boston Garden April 29 7–2 1 10:02 – Norm Beaudin (Bordeleau, Hull) 12:10 – Rick Ley (Dorey, Webster)14:07 – Tom Webster (Williams, Hurley)16:13 – Tommy Earl (Sheehy, Green)19:37 – John French No scoring 10:55 – Tom Webster (Williams, Hurley)16:01 – Tom Williams (French) 11:07 – Bobby Hull 3:45 – Jim Dorey (Sheehy, Earl) Al Smith 25 saves / 27 shots Joe Daley 18 saves / 25 shots May 2 4–7 1 2 0:33 – Norm Beaudin (Hull, Hornung)19:20 – Christian Bordeleau (Hull, Beaudin) 19:46 – Tom Williams (Webster, Dorey) 5:59 – Wally Boyer (Rousseau, Zanussi)7:37 – Christian Bordeleau (Hull, Woytowich) 1:47 – Brad Selwood (Williams) 2:19 – Jim Dorey (Williams, Webster)3:08 – Brit Selby (Williams, Webster)9:03 – John French (Ley, Sheehy)10:16 – John Cunniff (Byers)18:59 – en – John French (Hurley, Pleau) Al Smith 32 saves / 36 shots Ernie Wakely 18 saves / 24 shots May 3 4–3 2 15:23 – Bobby Hull (Bordeleau, Beaudin)19:34 – Ab McDonald (Beaudin, Hornung) No scoring 5:21 – Danny Johnson (Hull, Hornung) 14:44 – Rick Ley (Byers) 4:23 – Ted Green (Ley, Webster)18:19 – Tim Sheehy (French, Dorey) 18:56 – Bobby Hull (Beaudin, Ash) Al Smith 23 saves / 27 shots Joe Daley 27 saves / 30 shots May 5 2–4 1 1 15:50 – Bobby Hull (Bordeleau) No scoring No scoring 0:47 – Larry Pleau (Sheehy, Ley)14:11 – Mike Byers (Earl, Dorey)16:17 – Tim Sheehy (Dorey, Selwood) 16:17 7:17 – Mike Byers (Earl) 19:54 – Dunc Rousseau (Ash) Al Smith 28 saves /30 shots Ernie Wakely 28 saves / 32 shots May 6 9–6 1 1 7:07 – Danny Johnson (Sutherland)17:53 – Norm Beaudin (Hull) 0:21 – Tom Webster (Williams, Ley)4:43 – sh – Larry Pleau11:47 – Guy Smith (Williams, Webster)15:43 – Rick Ley18:41 – pp – Tim Sheehy (Webster, Pleau) 0:15 – Tom Webster (Williams, Green) 3:15 – pp – Norm Beaudin (Bordeleau, McDonald) 4:02 – Milt Black (Shmyr) 4:59 – Bob Woytowich (Swenson, Asmundson)18:10 – Freeman Asmundson (Swenson, Cuddie) 5:44 – Larry Pleau (Sheehy, French)7:31 – Larry Pleau (Sheehy, French)17:20 – en – Mike Byers (Green, Williams) Al Smith 38 saves / 44 shots Joe Daley 18 saves / 26 shots New England won series 4–1 Player statistics Skaters These were the top ten skaters based on points.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1973_skaters.html#stats::points 1973 WHA Playoffs Skater Statistics Player Team GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points PIM Penalties in minutesNorm BeaudinWinnipeg Jets 14 13 15 28 2 Tom Webster Tom Webster (ice hockey)New England Whalers 15 12 14 26 6 Bobby HullWinnipeg Jets 14 9 16 25 16 Tim Sheehy Tim Sheehy (ice hockey)New England Whalers 15 9 14 23 13 Jim DoreyNew England Whalers15 3 16 19 41 Larry PleauNew England Whalers15 127 19 15 Tommy Williams Tom Williams (ice hockey, born 1940) New England Whalers15 6 11 17 2 John French John French (ice hockey) New England Whalers15 3 11 14 2 Bill Sutherland Bill Sutherland (ice hockey)Winnipeg Jets14 5 9 14 9 Christian Bordeleau Winnipeg Jets12 5 8 13 4 Goaltending These were the top five goaltenders in terms of minutes.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1973_goalies.html 1973 WHA Playoffs Goalie Statistics Player Team GP Games Played GA Goals Against SA Shots Against SV Saves SV% Save Percentage SO Shutout MIN MinutesAl Smith Al Smith (ice hockey) New England Whalers 15 49 430 381 .886 0 909 Gerry CheeversCleveland Crusaders 9 22278 256.921 0 548 Wayne RutledgeHouston Aeros 7 20 228 208 .912 0 423Joe Daley Joe Daley (ice hockey)Winnipeg Jets7 25 199 174 .874 0 422Ernie WakelyWinnipeg Jets7 22 210 188 .895 2 420 Championship roster 1972–73 New England Whalers Ric Jordan Ted Green (Captain)https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-may-01-1973-5665676/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Jets want to forget Game 1 Canadian Press May 1, 1973 Brandon Sun Newspaper Archive May 2, 2026 Paul Hurley Brad Selwood Rick Ley Jim Dorey John Cunniff Kevin Ahearn Brit Selby Larry Pleau Guy Smith Tommy Earl Mike Byers Tom Webster John Danby Terry Caffery John French Tommy Williams Tim Sheehy Al Smith Bruce Landon Jack Kelley References External links WHA playoffs on Hockey-Reference Category:1972–73 WHA season Category:World Hockey Association playoffs