1977 WHA playoffs

WHA postseason tournament August 2023 WHA playoffs 1977 1976–77 April 9 – May 26, 1977 8 Winnipeg Jets Quebec Nordiques 1 Winnipeg Jets 1976 1978 MVP Serge Bernier (Nordiques) Scoring leader(s) Serge Bernier (Nordiques) 36 points The 1977 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1976–77 season. For the first time ever, the best team in points for the regular season did not win the championship, as the Houston Aeros were trounced in the Semifinal round to end their three-year streak of reaching the Avco Cup Final by the Winnipeg Jets. 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.https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197677/playoffs.html The Complete World Hockey Association - 1976-77 Playoff Results Serge Bernier was named the WHA Playoff MVP.Surgent Scott 1990 The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition Surgent 282–283, 304–305 978-1727753424 Playoff seeds Now with two divisions again, WHA reverted to the original playoff structure in which the top four teams in each division made the playoffs and faced each other in the first two rounds to set up the Avco Cup Final. Western Division Houston Aeros, Western Division champions – 106 points Winnipeg Jets – 94 points San Diego Mariners – 85 points Edmonton Oilers – 72 points Eastern Division Quebec Nordiques, Eastern Division champions – 97 points Cincinnati Stingers – 83 points Indianapolis Racers – 80 points New England Whalers – 76 points Bracket Eastern Division Western Division E1 Quebec Nordiques 4 E4 New England Whalers 1 E2 Cincinnati Stingers 0 E3 Indianapolis Racers 4 W1 Houston Aeros 4 W4 Edmonton Oilers 1 W2 Winnipeg Jets 4 W3 San Diego Mariners 3 E1 Quebec Nordiques 4 E3 Indianapolis Racers 1 W1 Houston Aeros 2 W2 Winnipeg Jets 4 E1 Quebec Nordiques 4 W2 Winnipeg Jets 3 Division Semifinals Eastern Division Semifinals (E1) Quebec Nordiques vs. (E4) New England Whalers Quebec had gone 8–2–1 against New England in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1977-new-england-whalers-vs-quebec-nordiques-east-division-semi-finals.html 1977 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: NEW vs. QBN Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 9 New England Whalers Quebec Nordiques 2–5 (0–2, 2–0, 0–3) Box score Bruce Landon Richard Brodeur 6:04 (2nd) – Gordie Roberts10:36 (2nd) – Tom Webster 0:39 (1st) – Wally Weir14:49 (1st) – Andre Boudrias5:05 (3rd) – Francois Lacombe7:44 (3rd) – Pierre Guite12:43 (3rd) – Real Cloutier Colisée de Québec 8,090 20(6–7–7) 21(7–6–8) #d0d0d0 April 12 Quebec Nordiques New England Whalers 7–3 (2–1, 3–0, 2–2) Box score Richard Brodeur Cap Raeder 11:10 (1st) – Real Cloutier15:38 (1st) – J. C. Tremblay3:38 (2nd) – Real Cloutier8:10 (2nd) – Paulin Bordeleau18:24 (2nd) – Serge Bernier8:20 (3rd) – Curt Brackenbury9:04 (3rd) – Pierre Guite 7:35 (1st) – John McKenzie0:17 (3rd) – Dave Keon12:26 (3rd) – Dave Keon Colisée de Québec 8,596 28(12–7–9) 34(8–11–15) #f0f0f0 April 14 Quebec Nordiques New England Whalers 4–3 (OT) (1–1, 2–1, 0–1, 1–0) Box score Richard Brodeur Christer Abrahamsson 12:25 (1st) – Serge Bernier6:07 (2nd) – Serge Bernier17:10 (2nd) – Paulin Bordeleau1:50 (OT) - Paul Baxter 6:36 (1st) – Gordie Roberts6:36 (2nd) – Mike Antonovich19:05 (3rd) – John McKenzie Hartford Civic Center 9,223 36(11–13–8–4) 38(13–18–7–0) #d0d0d0 April 16 Quebec Nordiques New England Whalers 4–6 (2–3, 0–1, 2–2) Box score Richard Brodeur / Serge Aubry Bruce Landon 15:09 (1st) – Real Cloutier18:26 (1st) – Real Cloutier1:01 (3rd) – Pierre Guite7:41 (3rd) – Bob Fitchner 5:36 (1st) – Dave Keon6:57 (1st) – Jack Carlson8:09 (1st) – Larry Pleau8:05 (2nd) – Mike Rogers6:23 (3rd) – George Lyle17:28 (3rd) – Mike Antonovich   Hartford Civic Center 10,507 33(10–9–14) 31(10–8–13) #f0f0f0 April 19 New England Whalers Quebec Nordiques 0–3 (0–1, 0–1, 0–1) Box score Bruce Landon / Christer Abrahamsson Richard Brodeur No scoring 8:03 (1st) – Andre Boudrias4:23 (2nd) – Serge Bernier0:23 (3rd) – Bob Fitchner Colisée de Québec 6,388 19(5–6–8) 36(12–14–10) (E3) Indianapolis Racers vs. (E2) Cincinnati Stingers Indianapolis had gone 5–4–1 against Cincinnati in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1977-cincinnati-stingers-vs-indianapolis-racers-east-division-semi-finals.html 1977 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: CNS vs. INR Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 The two teams became part of history in Game 1. Cincinnati lost their starting goalie Jacques Caron during the warmup for Game 1 when he was hit by a puck in the ribs. He was replaced by rookie Norm Lapointe. Cincinnati had a lead in each of the first three periods but Indianapolis countered it with a goal of their own, with Reg Thomas tying the game for the Racers with 1:04 remaining in regulation that set up overtime. Game 1 went to three overtimes and ended in the wee hours of Easter morning, lasting a total of 108 minutes and 40 seconds, shattering the previous longest overtime game in WHA history (69:44, 1973); notably, the last 45 minutes of the game saw no penalties called on any player. The winning goal came after Mark Lomenda missed on a slapshot that saw the puck carom to Gene Peacosh, who lifted it right past LaPointe to end the game. It was the longest pro hockey game in 41 years.http://wha-hof.com/records.php WHA Records https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-journal-news-apr-10-1977-p-18/ Tom Grant Stingers bow to Racers in overtime marathon Hamilton Journal News April 10, 1977 July 22, 2025https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-journal-apr-11-1977-p-15/ April 11, 1977 July 22, 2025 It was a long night for Stingers Associated Press Middletown Journal Caron started Game 2 but was pulled after giving up three goals in the first period, with Lapointe playing the rest of the series as goaltender. #f0f0f0 April 9 Indianapolis Racers Cincinnati Stingers 4–3 (3OT) (1–1, 1–1, 1–1, 0–0, 0–0, 1–0) Box score Paul Hoganson Norm Lapointe 11:05 (1st) – Mark Lomenda18:23 (2nd) – Mark Lomenda18:56 (3rd) – Reg Thomas8:40 (OT) – Gene Peacosh 4:58 (1st) – Rich LeDuc9:48 (2nd) – Dennis Abgrall17:21 (3rd) – Claude Larose Riverfront Coliseum 12,490 52(12–10–5–8–12–5) 59(9–15–13–8–11–3) #d0d0d0 April 12 Indianapolis Racers Cincinnati Stingers 7–2 (3–0, 2–1, 2–1) Box score Michel Dion Jacques Caron / Norm Lapointe 5:15 (1st) – Reg Thomas5:58 (1st) – Mark Lomenda13:43 (1st) – Rene LeClerc9:14 (2nd) – Nick Harbaruk10:25 (2nd) – Michel Parizeau1:13 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald7:16 (3rd) – Reg Thomas 19:48 (2nd) – Dennis Abgrall9:45 (3rd) – Ron Plumb Riverfront Coliseum 8,967 31(7–14–10) 32(14–10–8) #f0f0f0 April 14 Cincinnati Stingers Indianapolis Racers 3–5 (1–2, 0–1, 2–2) Box score Norm Lapointe Paul Hoganson 11:25 (1st) – Peter Marsh1:16 (3rd) – Peter Marsh2:05 (3rd) – Claude Larose 4:25 (1st) – Brian McDonald14:22 (1st) – Blair MacDonald2:12 (2nd) – Blair MacDonald7:10 (3rd) – Brian McDonald13:00 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald Market Square Arena 10,383 33(14–4–15) 23(6–9–8) #d0d0d0 April 16 Cincinnati Stingers Indianapolis Racers 1–3 (0–1, 0–1, 1–1) Box score Norm Lapointe Michel Dion 14:03 (3rd) – Greg Carroll 4:38 (1st) – Reg Thomas9:02 (2nd) – Brian McDonald15:04 (3rd) – Al Karlander Market Square Arena 16,070 26(7–13–6) 24(8–5–11) Western Division Semifinals (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W4) Edmonton Oilers Houston had gone 7–1–1 against Edmonton in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1977-edmonton-oilers-vs-houston-aeros-west-division-semi-finals.html 1977 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: EDO vs. HSA Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 13 Edmonton Oilers Houston Aeros 3–4 (OT) (1–0, 1–2, 1–1, 0–1) Box score Jean-Louis Levasseur Ron Grahame 18:27 (1st) – Gregg Boddy1:16 (2nd) – Randy Rota3:05 (3rd) – Glen Sather 16:27 (2nd) – Rich Preston19:36 (2nd) – Larry Lund6:14 (3rd) – Ted Taylor13:11 (OT) – Morris Lukowich The Summitt 7,442 27(8–5–8–6) 45(11–8–14–12) #d0d0d0 April 15 Edmonton Oilers Houston Aeros 2–6 (0–1, 1–3, 1–2) Box score Jean-Louis Levasseur Ron Grahame 1:32 (2nd) – Brett Callighen3:55 (3rd) – Brett Callighen 10:59 (1st) – Don Larway9:29 (2nd) – Al McLeod11:25 (2nd) – Marty Howe16:58 (2nd) – Rich Preston1:53 (3rd) – Terry Ruskowski17:26 (3rd) – Cam Connor The Summitt 10,382 24(6–8–10) 29(9–12–8) #f0f0f0 April 17 Houston Aeros Edmonton Oilers 2–7 (1–3, 1–2, 0–2) Box score Ron Grahame Ken Broderick 8:21 (1st) – Gordie Howe4:20 (2nd) – Mark Howe 2:55 (1st) – Bryan Campbell8:51 (1st) – Dave Langevin13:57 (1st) – Brett Callighen2:23 (2nd) – Brett Callighen17:21 (2nd) – Gavin Kirk15:46 (3rd) – Randy Rota18:56 (3rd) – Bryan Campbell Northlands Coliseum 14,754 27(7–12–8) 40(14–17–9) #d0d0d0 April 20 Houston Aeros Edmonton Oilers 4–1 (2–1, 1–0, 1–0) Box score Wayne Rutledge Ken Broderick 6:18 (1st) – Morris LukowichMorris Lukowich18:21 (1st) - Ted Taylor5:59 (2nd) - Morris Lukowich 11:42 (3rd) – Morris Lukowich 12:24 (1st) – Claude St. Sauveur Northlands Coliseum 15,334 27(7–8–12) 34(14–9–11) #f0f0f0 April 22 Edmonton Oilers Houston Aeros 3–4 (1–2, 2–1, 0–1) Box score Ken Broderick Wayne Rutledge 0:28 (1st) – Bryan Campbell0:49 (2nd) – Dave Langevin5:58 (2nd) – Randy Rota 6:41 (1st) – Rich Preston8:38 (1st) – Ted Taylor2:59 (2nd) – Gordie Howe0:32 (3rd) - Ron Hansis The Summitt 11,022 9 8 3 - 20 15 6 7 - 28 (W2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (W3) San Diego Mariners The two teams split their eight regular season matchups.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1977-san-diego-mariners-vs-winnipeg-jets-west-division-semi-finals.html 1977 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: SDM vs. WNJ Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 Ultimately, the home team wound up winning each game in the series. Game 4 was a strange affair all around in San Diego. In the midst of a tripping penalty (as charged to Jet player Mike Ford) being nearly killed off, Norm Ferguson broke a late 4–4 tie with 1:45 remaining in the third period, doing so on a soft low shot from 15 feet away. Jets coach Bobby Kromm, enraged by referee Ron Ego that he felt "determined the outcome of the game", threw a plastic water jug at him and even kicked the door of the officials room and yelled at Mariners GM Ballard Smith. Various technical issues affected the organ (beer was spilled on it) and goal lights (white towels were to be waved for a goal), the clock (leading to Rudy Pilous being sat next to the timekeeper), and last of all, the mercury lights high above the ice, which went out in the third period. All in all, the game was delayed 35 minutes.Nothing chicken about Mariners Reyn Davis Winnipeg Free Press April 18, 1977 July 22, 2025 https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-apr-18-1977-p-45/ Prior to Game 5, Daley stated to his team, "Tonight, fellas, give me one goal and I'll do the rest." Daley proceeded to have a shutout as Winnipeg led early in the first period and led on from there.Winnipeg Free Press April 21, 1977 Daley a man of his word Reyn Davis July 22, 2025 https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-apr-21-1977-p-73/ In the first ever Game 7 in Jets history, Winnipeg rode a busy first period on their way to victory.Winnipeg Free Press April 25, 1977 July 22, 2025 https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-apr-25-1977-p-48/ Maestro Hull paints finale This was the only Game 7 hosted in the city of Winnipeg until the second Jets team hosted Game 7 in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. #f0f0f0 April 10 San Diego Mariners Winnipeg Jets 1–5 (0–2, 0–2, 1–1) Box score Ernie Wakely / Ken Lockett Joe Daley 8:20 (3rd) – Ray Adduono 1:49 (1st) – Anders Hedberg17:50 (1st) – Bobby Hull0:36 (2nd) – Danny Lawson13:02 (2nd) – Bobby Hull13:29 (3rd) – Willy Lindstrom Winnipeg Arena 8,894 27(11–6–10) 39(13–20–6) #d0d0d0 April 12 San Diego Mariners Winnipeg Jets 1–4 (1–1, 0–0, 0–3) Box score Ken Lockett Joe Daley 13:36 (1st) – Norm Ferguson 11:01 (1st) – Bobby Hull1:30 (3rd) - Dave Dunn6:06 (3rd) – Perry Miller16:55 (3rd) – Bobby Hull Winnipeg Arena 9,041 20(11–5–4) 31(5–12–14) #f0f0f0 April 16 Winnipeg Jets San Diego Mariners 4–5 (3–0, 1–2, 0–3) Box score Joe Daley Ken Lockett 3:34 (1st) – Peter Sullivan4:24 (1st) – Willy Lindstrom12:52 (1st) – Lyle Moffat5:34 (2nd) – Lyle Moffat 2:10 (2nd) – Joe Noris9:33 (2nd) – Andre Lacroix4:02 (3rd) – Don Burgess12:00 (3rd) – Wayne Rivers13:46 (3rd) - Rick Sentes San Diego Sports Arena 10,108 28(8–10–10) 33(9–10–14) #d0d0d0 April 17 Winnipeg Jets San Diego Mariners 4–6 (1–3, 3–1, 0–2) Box score Joe Daley Ernie Wakely 9:24 (1st) – Danny Lawson5:59 (2nd) – Bob Guindon12:28 (2nd) – Bobby Hull16:08 (2nd) – Dan Labraaten 1:44 (1st) – Don Burgess11:47 (1st) – Ray Adduono15:16 (1st) – Rick Sentes17:09 (2nd) – Rick Sentes18:15 (3rd) – Norm Ferguson19:32 (3rd) – Kevin Devine San Diego Sports Arena 9,830 27(9–13–5) 27(11–12–4) #f0f0f0 April 20 San Diego Mariners Winnipeg Jets 0–3 (0–1, 0–0, 0–2) Box score 9,021 Ken Lockett Joe Daley No scoring 3:44 (1st) – Mats Lindh7:22 (3rd) – Mats Lindh11:44 (3rd) – Willy Lindstrom Winnipeg Arena 25(14–4–7) 41(12–12–17) #d0d0d0 April 22 Winnipeg Jets San Diego Mariners 1–3 (0–0, 1–3, 0–0) Box score Joe Daley Ernie Wakely 0:51 (2nd) – Anders Hedberg 4:33 (2nd) – Kevin Morrison7:45 (2nd) – Rick Sentes8:52 (2nd) – John French San Diego Sports Arena 11,450 15(2–6–7) 30(11–10–9) #f0f0f0 April 24 San Diego Mariners Winnipeg Jets 3–7 (1–3, 1–1, 1–3) Box score 10,342 Ken Lockett Joe Daley 11:30 (1st) – Ray Adduono7:01 (2nd) – Joe Noris17:46 (3rd) – John French 1:52 (1st) – Anders Hedberg13:34 (1st) – Bob Guindon18:32 (1st) – Ulf Nilsson1:17 (2nd) – Anders Hedberg0:32 (3rd) – Bobby Hull1:03 (3rd) – Bobby Hull4:20 (3rd) – Dave Dunn Winnipeg Arena 31(8–11–12) 40(19–8–13) Division Finals Eastern Division Finals (E1) Quebec Nordiques vs. (E3) Indianapolis Racers Quebec went 6–5 against Indianapolis in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1977-indianapolis-racers-vs-quebec-nordiques-east-division-finals.html 1977 WHA East Division Finals: INR vs. QBN Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 23 Indianapolis Racers Quebec Nordiques 1–3 (0–0, 1–3, 0–0) Box score Paul Hoganson Richard Brodeur 8:16 (2nd) – Michel Parizeau 4:03 (2nd) – Serge Bernier7:10 (2nd) – Paul Baxter19:36 (2nd) – Serge Bernier Colisée de Québec 7,309 21(7–11–3) 37(18–12–7) #d0d0d0 April 25 Indianapolis Racers Quebec Nordiques 3–8 (1–2, 1–4, 1–2) Box score Michel Dion Richard Brodeur 16:23 (1st) – Brian McDonald13:33 (2nd) – Pat Stapleton0:58 (3rd) – Reg Thomas 15:04 (1st) – Real Cloutier15:34 (1st) – Steve Sutherland10:12 (2nd) – Marc Tardif15:16 (2nd) – Francis Lacombe17:37 (2nd) – Serge Bernier19:36 (2nd) – Steve Sutherland1:14 (3rd) – Steve Sutherland2:57 (3rd) – Norm Dube Colisée de Québec 7,716 25(10–7–8) 33(10–17–6) #f0f0f0 April 28 Quebec Nordiques Indianapolis Racers 6–5 (OT) (1–3, 4–1, 0–1, 1–0) Box score Richard Brodeur Michel Dion 12:17 (1st) – Paulin Bordeleau2:52 (2nd) – Andre Boudrias8:42 (2nd) – Marc Tardif17:12 (2nd) – Paulin Bordeleau18:26 (2nd) – Serge Bernier5:29 (OT) – Paulin Bordeleau 12:07 (1st) – Reg Thomas13:32 (1st) – Gene Peacosh19:22 (1st) – Reg Thomas12:20 (2nd) – Al Karlander3:25 (3rd) – Gene Peacosh Market Square Arena 11,523 47(9–19–11–6) 37(14-11-10–2) #d0d0d0 April 30 Indianapolis Racers Quebec Nordiques 0–2 (0–0, 0–1, 0–1) Box score 12,521 Richard Brodeur Paul Hoganson No scoring 12:43 (2nd) – Michel Parizeau12:45 (3rd) – Darryl Maggs Market Square Arena 22(4–10–8) 26(8–15–3) #f0f0f0 May 2 Indianapolis Racers Quebec Nordiques 3–8 (1–3, 0–2, 2–3) Box score Paul Hoganson Richard Brodeur 14:23 (1st) – Pat Stapleton0:26 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald9:20 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald 2:25 (1st) – Serge Bernier4:02 (1st) – Francois Lacombe18:17 (1st) – Paulin Bordeleau9:11 (2nd) – Real Cloutier9:59 (2nd) – Real Cloutier1:31 (3rd) – Paulin Bordeleau6:24 (3rd) - Norm Dube8:40 (3rd) – Real Cloutier Colisée de Québec 7,326 33(5–11–17) 29(8–11–10) Western Division Finals (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W2) Winnipeg Jets Houston had gone 4–3–1 against Winnipeg in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1977-houston-aeros-vs-winnipeg-jets-west-division-finals.html 1977 WHA West Division Finals: HSA vs. WNJ Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 This was the fourth and final time these two teams met in the playoffs, as the two teams previously met in the 1973 Western Division Final, the 1974 Western Division Quarterfinals, and the 1976 Avco Cup Finals. Winnipeg ended Houston's chance to return for another Avco Cup appearance. This meant for the first time in WHA history, the team with the best regular season record did not reach the Avco Cup Final. #f0f0f0 April 26 Winnipeg Jets Houston Aeros 4–3 (OT) (2–1, 0–2, 1–0, 1–0) Box score Joe Daley Ron Grahame 1:45 (1st) – Peter Sullivan9:11 (1st) – Anders Hedberg5:05 (3rd) – Ulf Nilsson8:05 (OT) – Peter Sullivan 7:29 (1st) – Marty Howe9:32 (2nd) – John Tonelli12:32 (2nd) – Terry Ruskowski The Summitt 8,235 25(9–3–8–5) 38(15–13–8–2) #d0d0d0 April 28 Winnipeg Jets Houston Aeros 2–7 (1–1, 1–5, 0–1) Box score Joe Daley / Curt Larsson Ron Grahame 16:36 (1st) – Ted Green15:47 (2nd) – Anders Hedberg 15:08 (1st) – Mark Howe3:30 (2nd) – Larry Lund4:40 (2nd) – Mark Howe11:15 (2nd) – Mark Howe12:07 (2nd) – Gordie Howe16:08 (2nd) – John Schella9:24 (3rd) – Gordie Howe The Summitt 9,533 23(9–4–10) 38(21–11–6) #f0f0f0 April 30 Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets 3–4 (1–1, 1–2, 1–1) Box score Joe Daley Ron Grahame 16:44 (1st) – Mark Howe19:57 (2nd) – John Tonelli15:09 (3rd) – Gordie Howe 8:40 (1st) – Bobby Hull8:18 (2nd) – Dave Dunn15:11 (2nd) – Peter Sullivan18:24 (3rd) – Peter Sullivan Winnipeg Arena 10,076 25(9–8–8) 38(12–10–16) #d0d0d0 May 1 Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets 4–6 (0–2, 3–3, 1–1) Box score Joe Daley / Curt Larsson Ron Grahame 6:13 (2nd) – Morris Lukowich16:21 (2nd) – Morris Lukowich19:30 (2nd) – Cam Connor11:02 (3rd) – Marty Howe 8:54 (1st) – Ulf Nilsson15:59 (1st) – Anders Hedberg3:46 (2nd) – Dan Labraaten9:31 (2nd) – Dave Dunn16:33 (2nd) – Anders Hedberg16:57 (3rd) – Anders Hedberg Winnipeg Arena 10,332 33(11–10–12) 31(7–16–8) #f0f0f0 May 3 Winnipeg Jets Houston Aeros 2–3 (0–0, 1–2, 1–1) Box score Joe Daley Ron Grahame 13:09 (2nd) – Mike Ford2:24 (3rd) – Perry Miller 10:36 (2nd) – Terry Ruskowski18:59 (2nd) – Terry Ruskowski6:09 (3rd) – Ted Taylor The Summitt 10,819 19(8–7–4) 24(7–7–10) #d0d0d0 May 5 Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets 3–6 (0–1, 1–3, 2–2) Box score Joe Daley Ron Grahame 5:52 (2nd) – Terry Ruskowski0:35 (3rd) – Cam Connor17:14 (3rd) – John Tonelli 8:08 (1st) – Barry Long2:45 (2nd) – Willy Lindstrom5:15 (2nd) – Bill Lesuk8:05 (2nd) – Bobby Hull2:56 (3rd) – Willy Lindstrom 5:46 (3rd) – Anders Hedberg 10,323 Winnipeg Arena 24(11–3–10) 37(10–11–16) Avco Cup Final (E1) Quebec Nordiques vs. (W2) Winnipeg Jets The series matched the defending champion Winnipeg Jets, as coached by Bobby Kromm versus the Quebec Nordiques, as coached by Marc Boileau. The two teams had split their six regular season matchups.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1977-quebec-nordiques-vs-winnipeg-jets-stanley-cup-final.html 1977 WHA Avco Cup Final: QBN vs. WNJ Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 11,697 fans saw Game 1 in Quebec City. In Game 1, Joe Daley stopped 31 of 32 shots for Winnipeg, who scored on goals by Dan Labraaten and Willy Lindstrom to take the lead 2–0 in the second period. Quebec's top line of Real Cloutier, Marc Tardif, and Christian Bordeleau were neutralized, with Cloutier apparently so nervous that he did not appear for the last two minutes of the game. Among missed opportunities for Quebec, Cloutier had a no goal (as ruled by referee Bill Friday), Tardif hit a goal post and Steve Sutherland missed an open net by grazing the goalpost. Ulf Nilsson committed a tripping penalty with 1:57 to go in the game, but Daley and the Jets managed to kill the penalty.Winnipeg Free Press May 12, 1977 July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis Daley dazzles Les Nordiques https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-12-1977-p-71/ In a physical Game 2, Quebec responded furiously in Game 2 with a four-goal first period, with Steve Sutherland scoring two goals for the game and goaltender Richard Brodeur stopping all but one shot to even the series.Winnipeg Free Press July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis Period to forget for Jets May 16, 1977 https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-16-1977-p-49/ Now in Winnipeg for Game 3, the Nordiques scored first when a pass in front of the net struck Curt Brackenbury's stick and bounced into the net for what ended up as the only goal for the Nordiques of the game. In the second period, Lindstrom and Labraaten delivered goals for Winnipeg to give them the lead. The third period saw doom for Quebec, which gave up four goals.Winnipeg Free Press May 19, 1977 July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis Nothing Rusty about Labraaten https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-19-1977-p-61/ Winnipeg led early in Game 4, carrying a 2–1 lead into the second period, but the Nordiques struck back, with Francois Lacombe tying the game less than two minutes into the second period. The go-ahead goal was set up on a penalty by Danny Lawson when he hooked Marc Tardif, who soon responded with a slapshot that grazed a defender's stick and rose over the glove of the Jets for the lead. Quebec nearly lost their goaltender Richard Brodeur in the second period when Bobby Hull crashed into him after being pushed by Steve Sutherland that saw Brodeur strike his head on the crossbar. Backup goaltender Serge Aubry was inserted into the game but only played 50 seconds before Brodeur returned.Winnipeg Free Press May 21, 1977 July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis Now it's advantage Quebec https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-21-1977-p-72/ A second goal by Serge Bernier gave Quebec their last goal for a 4–2 victory; the loss ended Winnipeg's streak of 15 straight postseason wins at home, with their last home loss being Game 2 of the 1974 Western Division Semifinals. In the nationally televised (on CBC) Game 5, Quebec scored the first goal of the game four minutes in and scored three more in the span of ten minutes on their way to an 8–3 victory, with Real Cloutier scoring his first goal of the series in the barrage that saw the Bordeleau brothers (Chris and Paulin) each contribute two goals and an assist.Winnipeg Free Press May 24, 1977 July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis Boileau has 'em cooking https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-24-1977-p-57/ A loud Winnipeg crowd gave the team a two-minute standing ovation that had to see referee Bill Friday chase the team off the ice to get the national anthem started prior to the start of the television broadcast for Game 6. A tough first period saw the Jets lead 4–3, but the rest of the game saw Winnipeg dominate Quebec with hits and shots that saw them score four goals in the second and third periods each. Quebec coach Marc Boileau was incensed enough that Friday ejected him from the bench for his conduct with ten minutes to go in the game; he later told the press that with the circus being in town ten days prior, they "forgot to take back one of their clowns." Boileau received a $500 fine while Friday retorted that "I survived 12 years in that other league and five in this one, and I've never been fired. Can he say the same?" Winnipeg Free Press May 25, 1977 July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis Jets shoot down champagne flight https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-25-1977-p-61/Winnipeg Free Press May 26, 1977 July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis It's a Long season, especially for Barry https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-26-1977-p-61/ 11,461 people were on hand to watch Game 7 in Quebec. A scoreless first period was credited by Quebec players as key to the rest of the game. Eleven seconds into the second period, Bob Fitchner stole a pass from Ulf Nilsson intended for Anders Hedberg and made a breakaway for a successful shot on Joe Daley to give Quebec the lead. Boileau's decision to use his three heavy defensemen in Curt Brackebury, Steve Sutherland and Fitchner to combat the Winnipeg "Hot Line" of Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg and Nilsson, paid off, as the line was shut out. 59 seconds after the Fitchner goal, Marc Tardif scored a goal of his own to give Quebec a 2–0 lead as the goal barrage soon became apparent, with even an 80-foot shot by J.C. Tremblay saw Daley mishandle it for a resulting goal. The series-winning goal was scored by Real Cloutier at 6:29 in the second period as Quebec won 8–2. Serge Bernier had 14 goals (tied with teammate Real Cloutier) and a league-leading 22 assists for the postseason (surpassing the previous playoff record of 19 assists held by Bobby Orr in the 1972 Stanley Cup playoffs and Ulf Nilsson (ice hockey) in the 1976 WHA playoffs), and which was a mark not matched for one postseason in the WHA or NHL until 1983 when Rick Middleton scored 22 assists and Wayne Gretzky scored 26 assists in the 1983 Stanley Cup playoffs. For his efforts, he was named WHA Playoffs MVP. Boileau publicly felt the championship was a vindication for him, as he had previously been fired by the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins a year earlier.Winnipeg Free Press May 27, 1977 July 22, 2025 Reyn Davis Bubbly flows for Nords https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-may-27-1977-p-60/https://records.nhl.com/records/playoff-skater-records/assists/most-assists-one-season-playoff NHL Records https://newspaperarchive.com/sarasota-journal-may-27-1977-p-35/ Quebec's Title Proves Boileau Skill As Coach Sarasota Journal May 27, 1977 July 22, 2025 Associated Press Quebec Nordiques Winnipeg Jets Colisée de Québec Winnipeg Arena yes May 11 2–1 2 archive.ph/fn8jJ No scoring No scoring 2:22 – Dan Labraaten (Dunn) 13:30 – Willy Lindstrom (Labraaten, Sullivan) No scoring No scoring 7:00 – Paulin Bordeleau Richard Brodeur 25 saves / 27 shots Joe Daley 31 saves / 32 shots May 15 1–6 1 archive.ph/G6MKt No scoring 4:32 – Pierre Guite (Boudrias, Lacombe) 13:25 – Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Dube) 15:17 – sh – Steve Sutherland18:23 – Serge Bernier (Dube, Brackenbury) No scoring 7:02 – Curt Brackenbury (S. Bernier, Weir) 2:47 – Dan Labraaten (Lindstrom) 13:00 – Steve Sutherland (Fitchner, Brackenbury) Richard Brodeur 26 saves / 27 shots Joe Daley 28 saves / 34 shots May 18 1–6 2 archive.ph/jyMmv No scoring 2:08 – Curt Brackenbury (Fitchner) 4:42 – Willy Lindstrom (Labraaten) 13:16 – Dan Labraaten (Lindstrom) No scoring No scoring 0:31 – Anders Hedberg (Ford, Daley) 6:16 – Ulf Nilsson9:30 – Bill Lesuk (Lindh, Long) 16:33 – Willy Lindstrom (Sullivan, Labraaten) Richard Brodeur 15 saves / 21 shots Joe Daley 23 saves / 24 shots May 20 4–2 1 archive.ph/KeLMy 11:38 – Perry Miller (Sullivan, Labraaten) 17:17 – Ulf Nilsson (Hull, Hedberg) 7:33 – Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau, J. Bernier) No scoring 1:50 – Francois Lacombe (Real Cloutier, Tremblay) 14:53 – Marc Tardif (S. Bernier, C. Bordeleau) 4:32 – Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau) No scoring Richard Brodeur & Serge Aubry 27 shots / 29 shots Joe Daley 23 saves / 27 shots May 22 3–8 1 archive.ph/FA9oH 17:04 – Ulf Nilsson (Miller, Hull) 4:23 – Pierre Guite (Boudrias, J. Bernier)8:49 – Real Cloutier (Tardif, Tremblay)12:10 – Christian Bordeleau (Cloutier)14:20 – Paulin Bordeleau (Dube, S. Bernier) 6:39 – Mike Ford (Sullivan, Labraaten)13:53 – Bobby Hull 4:18 – Real Cloutier (C. Bordeleau)6:01 – Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Tremblay)11:37 – Christian Bordeleau (Cloutier, S. Bernier) 8:48 – Serge Bernier (P. Bordeleau) No scoring Richard Brodeur 29 saves / 32 shots Joe Daley 14 saves / 22 shots May 24 3–12 2 archive.ph/NmKOD 1:26 – pp – Bobby Hull (Nilsson, Ford)9:17 – Dan Labraaten (Sullivan, Lindstrom) 12:09 – Anders Hedberg (Nilsson) 13:47 – Bob Guindon (Huck, Miller) 3:02 – Real Cloutier 4:28 – Real Cloutier (Tardif, C. Bordeleau)16:35 – Christian Bordeleau (Tardif, Cloutier) 6:28 – Bobby Hull (Guindon, Dunn)8:04 – Peter Sullivan (Labraaten) 16:57 – pp – Mike Ford (Sjoberg, Hedberg) 17:30 – Bob Guindon (Long, Huck) No scoring No scoring 2:21 – Peter Sullivan (Labraaten) 3:37 – Anders Hedberg (Nilsson, Miller) 5:20 – Willy Lindstrom (Sullivan) 12:36 – Bobby Hull (Nilsson, Hedberg) Richard Brodeur & Serge Aubry 30 saves / 42 shots Joe Daley 21 saves / 24 shots May 26 2–8 1 archive.ph/DPzlp No scoring No scoring 8:39 – Dan Labraaten (Ford, Sullivan) 0:11 – Bob Fitchner 1:10 – Marc Tardif (Cloutier, C. Bordeleau) 6:29 – Real Cloutier (Tardif, Lariviere) 9:24 – J. C. Tremblay (Cloutier, Tardif) 15:23 – Norm Dube (Lariviere, S. Bernier) 18:41 – Paulin Bordeleau (S. Bernier, Lacombe) 1:39 – Christian Bordeleau (Cloutier, Lacombe) 3:39 – Serge Bernier (Dube, Lariviere) 14:09 – Perry Miller (Nilsson, Hedberg) Richard Brodeur 25 saves / 27 shots Joe Daley 17 saves / 25 shots Quebec won series 4–3 Statistical leaders Skaters These were the top ten skaters based on points.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1977_skaters.html#stats::points 1977 WHA Playoffs Skater Statistics Player Team GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +- Plus/Minus PIM Penalties in minutesSerge BernierQuebec Nordiques17 14 22 36 16 10Anders HedbergWinnipeg Jets20 13 16 29 6 13Real Cloutier Réal CloutierQuebec Nordiques17 14 13 27 11 10Ulf Nilsson Ulf Nilsson (ice hockey)Winnipeg Jets20 6 21 27 5 33 Dan LabraatenWinnipeg Jets20 7 17 24 8 15Bobby HullWinnipeg Jets20 13 9 22 6 2 Paulin BordeleauQuebec Nordiques16 12 9 21 12 12 Peter Sullivan Peter Sullivan (ice hockey)Winnipeg Jets20 7 12 19 5 2 Terry RuskowskiHouston Aeros11 6 11 17 8 67 Mike Ford Mike Ford (ice hockey)Winnipeg Jets20 3 13 16 7 12Reg Thomas Reg Thomas (ice hockey)Indianapolis Racers9 7 9 16 8 4 Goaltending Player Team GP Games Played GA Goals Against SA Shots Against SV Saves SV% Save Percentage SO Shutout MIN MinutesJoe Daley Joe Daley (ice hockey)Winnipeg Jets 2071569498.875 1 1,186Richard BrodeurQuebec Nordiques 1755 465 410 .88211,007Ron GrahameHouston Aeros 9 36265229.864 0 561Paul HogansonIndianapolis Racers 5 17179 162.905 1 348Norm LaPointeCincinnati Stingers 4 16 124 108 .8710 273Ken LockettSan Diego Mariners 5 19 146 127 .8700 260 Championship roster thumb|Serge Bernier won the WHA Playoff MVP for Quebec. 1976–77 Quebec Nordiques Michel Dubois Jean Bernier Jim Dorey Paul Baxter Wally Weir Francois Lacombe Garry Lariviere J. C. Tremblay Charles Constantin Pierre Guite Steve Sutherland Marc Tardif (Captain)1972-1979 WHA Guides 2018 PCMP Press Timothy Gassen 762 978-0-9797337-5-8 Norm Dube Curt Brackenbury Paulin Bordeleau Real Cloutier Bob Fitchner Christian Bordeleau Andre Boudrias Serge Bernier Serge Aubry Richard Brodeur Ed Humphreys (did not play in playoffs) Marc Boileau (head coach) Maurice Filion (general manager) References External links Postseason on Hockey Reference Category:1976–77 WHA season Category:World Hockey Association playoffs