1975 WHA playoffs

WHA postseason tournament August 2023 WHA playoffs 1975 1974–75 April 8 – May 12, 1975 8 Houston Aeros Houston Aeros 2 Quebec Nordiques 1974 1976 Scoring leader(s) Mark Howe (Aeros) 22 points MVP Ron Grahame (Aeros) The 1975 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1974–75 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Houston Aeros defeating the Eastern Division champion Quebec Nordiques in four games for their second straight Avco Cup championship.https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197475/playoffs.html The Complete World Hockey Association - 1974-75 Playoff Results Surgent Scott 1990 The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition Surgent 162–163, 185–186 978-1727753424 Playoff seeds The top two teams in each of the three divisions (Western, Canadian, Eastern) made the playoffs, regardless of total points, which is how Cleveland reached the postseason with 73 points in a weak Eastern Division despite third place Winnipeg having 81 points in the Canadian Division. All eight clubs then were seeded 1–8 based on regular season points, regardless of conference or division.https://newspaperarchive.com/lethbridge-herald-apr-08-1975-p-12/ Howe stops at 99 Lethbridge Herald April 8, 1975 July 22, 2025 Houston Aeros, Western Division champions – 106 points Quebec Nordiques, Canadian Division champions – 92 points New England Whalers, Eastern Division champions – 91 points San Diego Mariners – 90 points Toronto Toros– 88 points Minnesota Fighting Saints– 87 points Phoenix Roadrunners– 86 points Cleveland Crusaders – 73 points Bracket 175 W1 Houston Aeros 4 E2 Cleveland Crusaders 1 W2 San Diego Mariners 4 C2 Toronto Toros 2 E1 New England Whalers 2 W3 Minnesota Fighting Saints 4 C1 Quebec Nordiques 4 W4 Phoenix Roadrunners 1 W1 Houston Aeros 4 W2 San Diego Mariners 0 W3 Minnesota Fighting Saints 2 C1 Quebec Nordiques 4 W1 Houston Aeros 4 C1 Quebec Nordiques 0 Quarterfinals (C1) Quebec Nordiques vs. (W4) Phoenix Roadrunners Quebec had gone 4–2 against Phoenix in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-phoenix-roadrunners-vs-quebec-nordiques-quarter-finals.html 1975 WHA Quarter-Finals: PHR vs. QBN Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 It was Quebec who decided that their series would start one day before the other playoff games would start, a point that irked Roadrunner coach Sandy Hucul since the team had to travel the entire day before going from Phoenix to Quebec. A close first period in Game 2 turned quickly for Quebec, who scored four goals (all from at least 30 feet out) on eight shots in the second period to win 6–2 in a game that also saw Marc Tardif tie a WHA record for most assists in a period with three. Game 3 saw just two penalties called on each team in a 3-0 thumping by Quebec. Game 4 saw the Roadrunners score four goals in the first period, but Quebec responded with goals of their own that saw Bob Guindon tie the game with 15 seconds remaining in the second period before a scoreless third period saw overtime. After a save by Quebec goaltender Richard Brodeur saw the puck bounce to Michel Cormier, he lifted it over Brodeur to end the game. In Game 5, the two teams traded goals in the second period for a 2–2 tie, but Marc Tardif gave Quebec the go-ahead lead with less than six minutes remaining. Phoenix sent out their goaltender for an extra attacker late that saw Serge Bernier get the puck for Quebec and shoot it into the empty net to close the scoring as the series soon ended.https://newspaperarchive.com/scottsdale-progress-apr-09-1975-p-14/ Nordiques have luck in win over Runners Scottsdale Progress UPI July 22, 2025 April 9, 1975https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-apr-09-1975-p-14/ Quebec decision beats Roadrunners Medicine Hat News July 22, 2025 April 9, 1975https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-11-1975-5757511/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Scottsdale Progress Archives (April 11, 1975) Nordiques fly past Runners 7 Scottsdale Progress UPI July 22, 2025 April 11, 1975 Newspaper Archivehttps://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-14-1975-5757520/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ 11 Scottsdale Progress Archives (April 14, 1975) Hucul defies Roadrunner plight Scottsdale Progress UPI Newspaper Archives July 22, 2025 April 14, 1975https://newspaperarchive.com/scottsdale-progress-apr-16-1975-p-16/ Birds stay alive Scottsdale Progress Bill Burke July 22, 2025 April 9, 1975https://newspaperarchive.com/scottsdale-progress-apr-18-1975-p-50/ Runners ousted Scottsdale Progress UPI July 22, 2025 April 18, 1975 #f0f0f0 April 8 Phoenix Roadrunners Quebec Nordiques 2–5 (0–2, 1–3, 1–0) 10,105 Jack Norris Richard Brodeur 0:33 (2nd) - Robbie Ftorek3:58 (3rd) - Gene Sobchuk 7:14 (1st) - Michel Parizeau17:37 (1st) - Rejean Houle5:11 (2nd) - Rejean Houle13:05 (2nd) - Rene LeClerc17:31 (2nd) - Rene LeClerc Colisée de Québec Box score 10 8 21 - 39 10 8 6 - 24 #d0d0d0 April 10 Phoenix Roadrunners Quebec Nordiques 2–6 (1–1, 0–4, 1–1) Box score 10,546 Jack Norris / Gary Kurt Richard Brodeur 2:59 (1st) - Jim Boyd16:45 (3rd) - Peter McNamee 7:43 (1st) - Marc Tardif3:12 (2nd) - Bob Guindon9:49 (2nd) - Christian Bordeleau 11:37 (2nd) - Serge Bernier16:46 (2nd) - Serge Bernier3:10 (3rd) - Rejean Houle Colisée de Québec 14 12 17 - 43 7 8 7 - 22 #f0f0f0 April 12 Quebec Nordiques Phoenix Roadrunners 3–0 (1–0, 2–0, 0–0) 8,734 Richard Brodeur Gary Kurt 1:43 (1st) - Serge Bernier7:14 (2nd) - Marc Tardif11:30 (2nd) - Rejean Houle No scoring Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Box score 7 4 7 - 18 6 8 18 - 32 #d0d0d0 April 15 Quebec Nordiques Phoenix Roadrunners 5–6 (OT) (2–4, 3–1, 0–0, 0–1) 6,033 Box score Richard Brodeur Gary Kurt 5:25 (1st) - Serge Bernier14:57 (1st) - Rejean Houle2:22 (2nd) - Bob Guindon18:02 (2nd) - Serge Bernier 19:45 (2nd) - Bob Guindon 0:20 (1st) - Gene Sobchuk9:39 (1st) - Gene Sobchuk14:27 (1st) - John Gray19:34 (1st) - Robbie Ftorek9:11 (2nd) - Wendell Bennett7:21 (OT) - Michel Cormier Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10 9 6 3 28 10 15 7 6 38 #f0f0f0 April 17 Phoenix Roadrunners Quebec Nordiques 2–4 (0–0, 2–2, 0–2) 10,600 Box score Gary Kurt Richard Brodeur 1:15 (2nd) - John Gray8:47 (2nd) - Gene Sobchuk 4:13 (2nd) - Rene LeClerc11:31 (2nd) - Jeannot Gilbert14:20 (3rd) - Marc Tardif19:26 (3rd) - Serge Bernier Colisée de Québec 14 15 10 - 39 8 11 13 - 32 (E1) New England Whalers vs. (W3) Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota went 4–2 versus New England in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-minnesota-fighting-saints-vs-new-england-whalers-quarter-finals.html 1975 WHA Quarter-Finals: MFS vs. NEW Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 In Game 1, the Saints won 6–5 but ended up losing a player in the aftermath. In the early hours of April 11, Gord Gallant (who scored a goal in the first game) got into a fight with head coach Harry Neale over missing curfew that saw him kicked off the team, having given Neale enough injury to necessitate 10 stitches and a black eye.https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2216709/2020/11/26/harry-neale-interview-hockey-night-in-canada/ The Athletic Harry Neale 20 Questions: On getting punched, one-liners and a famous posterior Sean Fitz-Gerald November 26, 2020 A brawl occurred in the early minutes of the second period that saw play held up for 32 minutes as 11 players received a combined total of 119 penalty minutes. The game went into overtime and Rick Ley (who received 19 minutes in penalties in the 2nd period brawl) scored the game-winning goal on a slap shot six minutes into overtime. The game lasted a total of three hours and 47 minutes.https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-apr-12-1975-p-5/ April 12, 1975 July 22, 2025 Associated Press Brainerd Daily Dispatch Whalers Win 3-2 in Overtime #f0f0f0 April 9 Minnesota Fighting Saints New England Whalers 6–5 (2–3, 3–2, 1–1) Box score John Garrett Al Smith 1:59 (1st) - Gord Gallant4:44 (1st) - Bill Butters4:25 (2nd) - Wayne Connelly11:22 (2nd) - Gary Gambucci14:02 (2nd) - Mike Walton11:55 (3rd) - Wayne Connelly 7:46 (1st) - Ron Climie17:05 (1st) - Larry Pleau4:59 (2nd) - Larry Pleau19:52 (2nd) - Wayne Carleton19:24 (3rd) - John French Hartford Civic Center 9,722 36(13–15–8) 36(13–13–10) #d0d0d0 April 11 Minnesota Fighting Saints New England Whalers 2–3 (OT) (0–1, 1–1, 1–0, 0–1) Box score John Garrett Al Smith 8:07 (2nd) - George Morrison4:53 (3rd) - Ron Busniuk 17:28 (1st) - Wayne Carleton7:28 (2nd) - Brad Selwood6:46 (OT) – Rick Ley Hartford Civic Center 10,507 32(9–9–10–4) 34(10–11–10–3) #f0f0f0 April 13 New England Whalers Minnesota Fighting Saints 3–8 (0–3, 2–3, 1–2) Box score Al Smith John Garrett 14:53 (2nd) - Mike Byers16:02 (2nd) - Ron Climie9:02 (3rd) - Ron Climie 7:03 (1st) - George Morrison13:22 (1st) - Fran Huck19:18 (1st) - Terry Ball2:31 (2nd) - Mike Walton11:36 (2nd) - George Morrison19:16 (2nd) - Terry Ball2:21 (3rd) - Rick Smith7:25 (3rd) - Ron Busniuk St. Paul Civic Center 10,509 28(8–10–10) 31(10–11–10) #d0d0d0 April 15 New England Whalers Minnesota Fighting Saints 5–2 (0–1, 1–1, 4–0) Box score Al Smith John Garrett 5:56 (2nd) - Nick Fotiu4:14 (3rd) - Bob Charlebois8:17 (3rd) - Tommy Earl12:03 (3rd) - Nick Fotiu13:18 (3rd) - Don Blackburn 12:56 (1st) - Gary Gambucci17:13 (2nd) - Wayne Connelly St. Paul Civic Center 11,903 28(6–8–14) 33(12–11–10) #f0f0f0 April 18 Minnesota Fighting Saints New England Whalers 4–0 (0–0, 1–0, 3–0) Box score 10,507 John Garrett Al Smith 17:29 (2nd) - Fran Huck13:31 (3rd) - Wayne Connelly15:51 (3rd) - Mike Walton18:18 (3rd) - Wayne Connelly No scoring Hartford Civic Center 29(6–13–10) 27(9–5–13) #d0d0d0 April 19 New England Whalers Minnesota Fighting Saints 1–6 (0–2, 0–1, 1–3) Box score Al Smith John Garrett 12:19 (3rd) - Mike Byers 5:01 (1st) - Mike Walton17:23 (1st) - Gary Gambucci18:40 (2nd) - Mike Walton0:22 (3rd) - Wayne Connelly5:10 (3rd) - Mike Walton16:56 (3rd) - Don Tannahill St. Paul Civic Center 11,870 33(7–15–11) 31(9–10–12) (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (E2) Cleveland Crusaders Houston had gone 5–1 against Cleveland in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-cleveland-crusaders-vs-houston-aeros-quarter-finals.html 1975 WHA Quarter-Finals: CLC vs. HSA Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 Fatigue set in for Game 2 as Cleveland allowed three goals in a tight loss.https://newspaperarchive.com/willoughby-news-herald-apr-13-1975-p-43/ Houston turns back Crusaders Willoughby News Herald April 13, 1975 July 22, 2025https://newspaperarchive.com/willoughby-news-herald-apr-13-1975-p-46/ ...Aeros sink C's, 5-3 Willoughby News Herald April 13, 1975 July 22, 2025 Game 4 went so badly enough for the Crusaders that coach/GM Jack Vivian was angry at the fans who booed goaltender Gerry Cheevers in the third period, which saw a 4–1 deficit go to a 7–2 nightmare that led Vivian to tell the press that the fans were "gutless".https://newspaperarchive.com/willoughby-news-herald-apr-16-1975-p-34/ Crusaders can't wait to leave town Willoughby News Herald Steve Lyttle April 16, 1975 July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 10 Cleveland Crusaders Houston Aeros 5–8 (2–3, 1–1, 2–4) Box score Ron Grahame Gerry Cheevers 0:18 (1st) - Jim Harrison5:53 (1st) - Tom Edur0:26 (2nd) - Paul Shmyr11:20 (3rd) - Gerry Pinder16:30 (3rd) - Paul Shmyr 5:24 (1st) - Mark Howe 9:08 (1st) - Frank Hughes 15:52 (1st) - Terry Ruskowski19:32 (2nd) - Ted Taylor0:44 (3rd) - Murray Hall3:49 (3rd) - Mark Howe6:50 (3rd) - Mark Howe15:30 (3rd) - Frank Hughes Sam Houston Coliseum 7,317 25(8–6–11) 36(14–13–9) #d0d0d0 April 12 Houston Aeros Cleveland Crusaders 3–5 (1–1, 0–1, 2–3) Box score Gerry Cheevers Ron Grahame 0:47 (1st) - Al McDonough7:33 (3rd) - Gerry Pinder12:59 (3rd) - Russ Walker 6:06 (1st) - Murray Hall17:26 (2nd) - Don Larway1:34 (3rd) - Larry Lund6:10 (3rd) - Murray Hall19:28 (3rd) - Mark Howe Sam Houston Coliseum 7,887 37(15–11–11) 35(10–17–8) #f0f0f0 April 13 Cleveland Crusaders Houston Aeros 1–3 (0–0, 1–1, 0–2) Box score Gerry Cheevers Ron Grahame 7:09 (2nd) - Mark Howe 4:52 (2nd) - Al McDonough9:51 (3rd) - Larry Hillman16:54 (3rd) - Tom Edur Richfield Coliseum 6,738 36(8–13–15) 37(9–10–18) #d0d0d0 April 15 Cleveland Crusaders Houston Aeros 7–2 (2–0, 0–0, 5–2) Box score Gerry Cheevers Ron Grahame 15:46 (1st) - Mark Howe19:37 (1st) - Murray Hall0:52 (3rd) - Murray Hall4:33 (3rd) - Andre Hinse5:04 (3rd) - Frank Hughes9:42 (3rd) - Mark Howe17:08 (3rd) - Mark Howe 2:17 (3rd) - Skip Krake17:24 (3rd) - Ray Clearwater Richfield Coliseum 7,046 36(12–9–15) 36(13–13–9) #f0f0f0 April 17 Houston Aeros Cleveland Crusaders 1–3 (0–2, 1–0, 0–1) Box score Ron Grahame Gerry Cheevers 9:28 (2nd) – Gerry Pinder 0:27 (1st) – Gordie Howe9:25 (1st) – Larry Lund8:52 (3rd) – Ted Taylor Sam Houston Coliseum 6,825 28(10–9–9) 40(19–7–14) (W2) San Diego Mariners vs. (C2) Toronto Toros The two teams split their six regular season matchups.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-san-diego-mariners-vs-toronto-toros-quarter-finals.html 1975 WHA Quarter-Finals: SDM vs. TRT Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 9 Toronto Toros San Diego Mariners 3–5 (2–1, 1–2, 0–2) Box score Jim Shaw Ernie Wakely 8:55 (1st) - Lou Nistico13:57 (1st) - Vaclav Nedomansky10:09 (2nd) - Gavin Kirk 10:58 (1st) - Gene Peacosh13:35 (2nd) - Ray Adduono17:28 (2nd) - Ray Adduono6:13 (3rd) - Wayne Rivers19:20 (3rd) - Andre Lacroix San Diego Sports Arena 8,890 28(10–14–4) 45(16–12–17) #d0d0d0 April 12 Toronto Toros San Diego Mariners 6–7 (0–3, 2–3, 4–1) Box score Gilles Gratton / Jim Shaw Ernie Wakely 3:16 (2nd) - Frank Mahovlich9:04 (2nd) - Vaclav Nedomansky0:26 (3rd) - Gavin Kirk12:39 (3rd) - Jim Dorey16:51 (3rd) - Lou Nistico18:59 (3rd) - Tom Martin 2:02 (1st) - Jim Hargreaves8:24 (1st) - Andre Lacroix15:32 (1st) - Gene Peacosh12:08 (2nd) - Gene Peacosh15:41 (2nd) - Norm Ferguson18:22 (2nd) - Harry Howell4:47 (3rd) - Wayne Rivers San Diego Sports Arena 13,039 40(15–12–13) 46(13–23–10) #f0f0f0 April 14 San Diego Mariners Toronto Toros 2–5 (0–2, 2–2, 0–1) Box score Ernie Wakely / Russ Gillow Les Binkley 4:36 (2nd) - Norm Ferguson7:07 (2nd) - Norm Ferguson 1:55 (1st) - Gavin Kirk18:25 (1st) - Lou Nistico12:18 (2nd) - Lou Nistico18:06 (2nd) - Tom Simpson17:45 (3rd) - Wayne Dillon Maple Leaf Gardens 9,135 28(11–7–10) 41(17–12–12) #d0d0d0 April 16 San Diego Mariners Toronto Toros 5–6 (1–0, 1–4, 3–2) Box score Ernie Wakely Jim Shaw 7:40 (1st) - Norm Ferguson5:17 (2nd) - Mike Laughton1:05 (3rd) - Gene Peacosh10:59 (3rd) - Brian Perry19:35 (3rd) - Mike Laughton 6:31 (2nd) - Wayne Dillon7:26 (2nd) - Lou Nistico8:46 (2nd) - Tony Featherstone19:12 (2nd) - Wayne Dillon5:59 (3rd) - Frank Mahovlich7:36 (3rd) - Gavin Kirk Maple Leaf Gardens 10,197 31(8–14–9) 4510–17–18) #f0f0f0 April 18 Toronto Toros San Diego Mariners 3–4 (1–0, 1–2, 1–2) Box score Jim Shaw Ernie Wakely 13:19 (1st) - Frank Mahovlich8:26 (2nd) - Vaclav Nedomansky4:20 (3rd) - Gavin Kirk 10:30 (2nd) - Gene Peacosh 14:23 (2nd) - Mike Laughton4:02 (3rd) - Ray Adduono11:59 (3rd) - Gene Peacosh San Diego Sports Arena 12,819 37(9–13–15) 55(14–19–22) #d0d0d0 April 21 San Diego Mariners Toronto Toros 6–4 (2–0, 2–2, 2–2) Box score Ernie Wakely Les Binkley 13:35 (1st) - Norm Ferguson14:16 (1st) - Ray Adduono8:20 (2nd) - Norm Ferguson 11:14 (2nd) - Kevin Devine15:16 (3rd) - Gene Peacosh19:44 (3rd) - Andre Lacroix 8:59 (2nd) - Lou Nistico15:21 (2nd) - Wayne Dillon4:11 (3rd) - Jim Dorey16:30 (3rd) - Tony Featherstone Maple Leaf Gardens 8,830 39(13–14–12) 45(15–13–17) Semifinals (C1) Quebec Nordiques vs. (W3) Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota was 4–2 against Quebec in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-minnesota-fighting-saints-vs-quebec-nordiques-semi-finals.html 1975 WHA Semi-Finals: MFS vs. QBN Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 In Game 1, Jeannot Gilbert gave Quebec the lead less than five minutes into the first period. A scoreless second period was followed by three sudden goals by Quebec in the third period that was scored in the span of 150 seconds to give Quebec an insurmountable lead. In Game 2, trailing 2–0 after one period, the Saints shot the puck 20 times in the second period and scored on four of them, with Mike Walton scoring two of them while Minnesota neutralized Quebec's power play multiple times in the final period. Now in Minnesota, the Nordiques dominated Game 3 with a 3–1 first period that saw them lead in the first three minutes on a goal by Marc Tardif before they held the Saints scoreless for the last 52 minutes in a 6–1 win. In Game 4, Fran Huck broke a 2–2 tie in the third period before Wayne Connelly scored three minutes later on a power-play goal to provide insurance in a 4–2 victory to tie the series that saw both goalies save over 35 shots. In Game 5, Quebec scored two goals in the span of a less than a minute through the efforts of Guindon and Bordeleau. Minnesota narrowed the deficit to 3–2 with Mike Walton's goal midway through the second period, but Marc Tardif responded eight seconds later with a goal to make it 4–2 in a game Quebec soon pulled away from. In Game 6, Minnesota took the lead first on a goal by Gary Gambucci six minutes into the game, but Quebec responded with two goals in less than a minute midway through the period. In the third period, Jack Carlson tied the game on his first playoff goal of the postseason. Later in the period, Quebec goalie Richard Brodeur made a save on a breakaway attempt by Mike Antonovich that was soon followed by Quebec scoring the tiebreaking goal on a play by Michel Parizeau. 31 seconds later, now with an empty net for an extra attacker, Rejean Houle drilled in a shot from the blue line to seal the game for Quebec.https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-apr-23-1975-p-8/ Albert Lea Evening Tribune July 22, 2025 April 23, 1975 Saints Stymied by 4-1 Margin Associated Presshttps://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-apr-25-1975-p-6/ Albert Lea Evening Tribune July 22, 2025 April 25, 1975 Saints Even Series 5-3 Associated Press https://newspaperarchive.com/bucks-county-courier-times-apr-27-1975-p-28/ Bucks County Courier Times July 22, 2025 April 27, 1975 Quebec drops Saints, 6-1 UPIhttps://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-apr-28-1975-p-6/ Albert Lea Evening Tribune July 22, 2025 April 28, 1975 Saints Deadlock Series Again, 4-2https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-apr-30-1975-p-12/ Albert Lea Evening Tribune July 22, 2025 April 30, 2025 Saints Lose To Quebec Associated Presshttps://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-may-02-1975-p-6/ Albert Lea Evening Tribune July 22, 2025 May 2, 1975 Saints Lose to Nordiques 4-2 Associated Press #f0f0f0 April 22 Minnesota Fighting Saints Quebec Nordiques 1–4 (0–1, 0–0, 1–3) Box score 9,348 John Garrett Richard Brodeur 19:27 (3rd) - Mike Walton 15:21 (1st) - Jeannot Gilbert11:16 (3rd) - Rene LeClerc11:48 (3rd) - Jeannot Gilbert13:46 (3rd) - Rejean Houle Colisée de Québec 31 (12-9-10) 38 (15-17-6) #d0d0d0 April 24 Minnesota Fighting Saints Quebec Nordiques 5–3 (0–2, 4–1, 1–0) 11,249 Box score John Garrett Richard Brodeur 1:17 (2nd) - George Morrison10:27 (2nd) - Mike Walton15:25 (2nd) - Rick Smith19:12 (2nd) - Mike Walton6:02 (3rd) - Mike Antonovich 10:40 (1st) - Marc Tardif13:23 (1st) - Alan Globensky6:39 (2nd) - Marc Tardif Colisée de Québec 47 (17-20-10) 26 (9-9-8) #f0f0f0 April 26 Quebec Nordiques Minnesota Fighting Saints 6–1 (3–1, 1–0, 2–0) Box score Richard Brodeur John Garrett 2:09 (1st) - Marc Tardif7:23 (1st) - Rejean Houle12:12 (1st) - Serge Bernier15:46 (2nd) - Real Cloutier15:52 (3rd) - Bobby Guindon17:23 (3rd) - Rene LeClerc 7:39 (1st) - Ted Hampson St. Paul Civic Center 11,283 40 (12-13-15) 28 (11-5-12) #d0d0d0 April 27 Quebec Nordiques Minnesota Fighting Saints 2–4 (1–1, 1–1, 0–2) Box score Richard Brodeur John Garrett 16:03 (1st) - Serge Bernier7:25 (2nd) - Bobby Guindon 19:18 (1st) - Terry Ball10:30 (2nd) - Don Tannahill12:02 (3rd) - Fran Huck14:57 (3rd) - Wayne Connelly St. Paul Civic Center 9,278 41 (14-16-11) 38 (14-15-9) #f0f0f0 April 29 Minnesota Fighting Saints Quebec Nordiques 3–6 (0–2, 2–2, 1–2) Box score John Garrett Richard Brodeur 2:01 (2nd) - Wayne Connelly8:53 (2nd) - Mike Walton8:43 (3rd) - George Morrison 12:21 (1st) - Bobby Guindon13:08 (1st) - Christian Bordeleau4:31 (2nd) - Real Cloutier9:01 (2nd) - Marc Tardif5:57 (3rd) - Rene LeClerc19:13 (3rd) - Real Cloutier Colisée de Québec 8,844 38 (8-18-12) 41 (17-10-14) #d0d0d0 May 1 Quebec Nordiques Minnesota Fighting Saints 4–2 (2–1, 0–0, 2–1) Box score Richard Brodeur John Garrett 11:43 (1st) - Real Cloutier12:33 (1st) - Rene Leclerc15:45 (3rd) - Michel Parizeau19:29 (3rd) - Rejean Houle 6:05 (1st) - Gary Gambucci0:15 (3rd) - Jack Carlson St. Paul Civic Center 9,144 34 (14-6-14) 38 (13-14-11) (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W2) San Diego Mariners San Diego had gone 5–1 against Houston in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-houston-aeros-vs-san-diego-mariners-semi-finals.html 1975 WHA Semi-Finals: HSA vs. SDM Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 A matchup of the top team in scoring/defense versus the fourth-best team in scoring/defense, the Aeros held San Diego to shutouts in two of the first three games before having to rally to force overtime in the pivotal Game 4. On the first shot in overtime, rookie Jim Sherrit ended the game with his goal to send Houston back to the Avco Cup.https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-may-02-1975-p-12/ Fergus Falls Daily Journal Aeros earns second WHA championship berth Associated Press July 22, 2025 May 2, 1975 #f0f0f0 April 25 Houston Aeros San Diego Mariners 4–0 (1–0, 2–0, 1–0) Box score Ron Grahame Ernie Wakely 11:31 (1st) - Andre Hinse3:51 (2nd) - Murray Hall4:52 (2nd) - Terry Ruskowski19:16 (3rd) - Gord Labossiere No scoring San Diego Sports Arena 12,342 35(11–13–11) 35(14–12–9) #d0d0d0 April 27 Houston Aeros San Diego Mariners 2–1 (0–0, 2–0, 0–1) Box score Ron Grahame Ernie Wakely 17:11 (2nd) – Murray Hall17:36 (2nd) – Jim Sherrit 10:33 (3rd) - Wayne Rivers San Diego Sports Arena 7,816 23(6–9–8) 48(18–11–19) #f0f0f0 April 29 San Diego Mariners Houston Aeros 0–6 (0–2, 0–2, 0–2) Box score Ernie Wakely / Russ Gillow Ron Grahame No scoring 11:25 (1st) – Mark Howe11:46 (1st) – Andre Hinse10:41 (2nd) – Gord Labossiere12:28 (2nd) – Andre Hinse2:58 (3rd) – Larry Lund6:12 (3rd) - Gordie Howe Sam Houston Coliseum 6,827 34(16–6–12) 37(12–12–13) #d0d0d0 May 1 San Diego Mariners Houston Aeros 4–5 (OT) (2–1, 1–1, 1–2, 0–1) Box score Russ Gillow / Ernie Wakely Ron Grahame 4:11 (1st) - Ray Adduono12:30 (1st) - Ron Plumb3:47 (2nd) - Mike Laughton4:37 (3rd) - Ron Plumb 7:09 (1st) - Rich Preston 6:40 (2nd) - Don Larway0:21 (3rd) - Jim Sherrit5:31 (3rd) - Gordie Howe0:27 (OT) - Jim Sherrit Sam Houston Coliseum 7,932 37 (17–8–12–0) 50 (11–16–22–1) Avco Cup Final (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (C1) Quebec Nordiques The series matched the Western Division champion Houston Aeros, as coached by Bill Dineen, against the Canadian Division champion Quebec Nordiques, as coached by Jean-Guy Gendron. The two teams had split their six regular season matchups.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1975-houston-aeros-vs-quebec-nordiques-stanley-cup-final.html 1975 WHA Avco Cup Final: HSA vs. QBN Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 The Aeros, having lost only one playoff game leading to the Finals, did not have many problems with Quebec, who only had a lead for a combined thirteen minutes in the whole series, all of which came during Game 2, where Quebec scored a goal on three occasions to break a tie during the game that was followed by Houston tying the game each time before Houston pulled away in the final period. Game 3, the first modern-era professional championship game in Quebec City, was attended by 9,775 fans. Frank Hughes broke the scoreless tie 14 seconds in the second period before Poul Popiel added in insurance in the third period for a 2–0 win. In Game 4 (to 8,246 attending fans), the Aeros clinched the championship with a dominant fourth game, with Gord Labossiere delivering the series-winning goal at 19:53 in the first period to give them a 3–1 lead in an eventual 7–2 victory. Ron Grahame, who played every minute as goaltender for the Aeros and went 12–1 with ten straight wins (a record), won the first WHA Playoff MVP.https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-register-may-15-1975-p-43/ July 22, 2025 May 15, 1975 Ron Grahame Wins WHA Most Valuable Award Danville Register Associated Press Gordie Howe mulled retirement after the game ended for a front office job, although he would ultimately play for five more years.https://newspaperarchive.com/southern-illinoisan-may-13-1975-p-22/ Southern Illinoisian May 13, 1975 July 22, 2025 Aeros repeat as champs Associated Press WHA chief referee Bill Friday announced his retirement after the end of Game 4 (ultimately, he served as referee-in-chief for the last three WHA seasons before being the referee for the final WHA game in 1979).https://newspaperarchive.com/delphos-herald-may-13-1975-p-5/ Howe's final goals help win AVCO cup UPI May 13, 1975 July 22, 2025 Delphos Herald https://www.nhl.com/news/bill-friday-dead-at-91 Friday dies at 91, refereed Stanley Cup Final, WHA championship Dave Stubbs NHL.com May 14, 2024 July 22, 2025 This was the last professional championship for the city of Houston until the Houston Rockets won the 1994 NBA Finals nineteen years later. This was the only time the Avco World Trophy was clinched on enemy ice. Houston Aeros Quebec Nordiques Sam Houston Coliseum Colisée de Québec yes May 3 2–6 1 archive.ph/SQiDP No scoring 1:26 – Gord Labossiere (Popiel, Schella) 2:36 – Larry Lund (Mark Howe, G. Howe) 12:13 – Gordie Howe (Schella, Preston) 17:54 – Terry Ruskowski (Popiel, Larway) 17:51 – Marc Tardif (Bordeleau, Hoganson) 4:37 – Don Larway (Ruskowski) 3:45 – Bob Guindon (Bordeleau) 1:45 – Gord Labossiere (Taylor, Hughes) Ron Grahame 23 saves / 25 shots Richard Brodeur 30 saves / 36 shots May 6 3–5 1 archive.ph/G4irQ 16:34 – Dale Hoganson (S. Bernier, Houle) 4:44 – Gordie Howe (Mark Howe, Sherrit) 2:57 – Marc Tardif (Guindon, Bordeleau) 1:19 – Gordie Howe (Lund, Hughes) 2:37 – Marc Tardif (Bordeleau) 2:06 – Gord Labossiere (Hall, Taylor)3:04 – Terry Ruskowski (Preston, Irwin)11:08 – Andre Hinse (Lund, Schella) Ron Grahame 23 saves / 26 shots Richard Brodeur 42 saves / 47 shots May 10 2–0 1 archive.ph/tcYet No scoring No scoring No scoring 0:14 – Frank Hughes (G. Howe, Mark Howe) 13:48 – Poul Popiel (Schella) No scoring Ron Grahame 34 saves / 34 shots Richard Brodeur 22 saves / 24 shots May 12 7–2 1 archive.is/lx3pf 6:01 – Rejean Houle (Tardif, S. Bernier) 2:41 – Gordie Howe (Hinse, Lund)12:18 – Mark Howe (Hinse, Lund) 19:53 – Gord Labossiere (Schella, Hall). 14:51 – Rejean Houle (S. Bernier, Brodeur) 7:36 – Gordie Howe (Lund)16:52 – Frank Hughes (Mark Howe, Sherrit) 14:07 – Larry Lund (Popiel)18:30 – Frank Hughes (G. Howe, Lund) No scoring Ron Grahame 36 shots / 38 shots Richard Brodeur 24 shots / 31 shots Houston won series 4–0 Statistical leaders Skaters These were the top ten skaters based on points.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1975_skaters.html#stats::points 1975 WHA Playoffs Skater Statistics Player Team GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points PIM Penalties in minutesMark Howe Houston Aeros13101222 0Marc TardifQuebec Nordiques1510112110Gordie HoweHouston Aeros13 8 12 20 20Larry LundHouston Aeros 13 5 13 18 13Mike Walton Minnesota Fighting Saints12 10 7 17 10Serge Bernier Quebec Nordiques15 8 8 16 6Rejean Houle Réjean Houle Quebec Nordiques15 10 6 16 2Fran Huck Minnesota Fighting Saints12 3 13 16 6Christian Bordeleau Quebec Nordiques15 2 13 15 2Ray Adduono San Diego Mariners 105 9 14 13Rene Leclerc Quebec Nordiques14 7 7 14 41George Morrison George Morrison (ice hockey) Minnesota Fighting Saints12 5 9 140 Goaltending These were the top five goaltenders in terms of minutes.1972-1979 WHA Guides 2018 PCMP Press Timothy Gassen 342 978-0-9797337-5-8 Player Team GA Goals Against SA Shots Against SV Saves SV% Save Percentage SO Shutout MIN Minutes GAA Goals against averageRon Grahame Houston Aeros 26 439 413 .941 3 780 2.00Richard Brodeur Quebec Nordiques 48 550 502 .913 1 9063.18 Championship roster thumb|Ron Grahame won the very first WHA Playoff MVP award for the Aeros. As it turned out, he would be the only goaltender to win the award in WHA history. 1974–75 Houston Aeros Larry Hale John Schella Poul Popiel Mark Howe Bill Prentice Glen Irwin Marty Howe Gordie Howe Andre Hinse Frank Hughes Murray Hall Ted Taylor (Captain) 1972-1979 WHA Guides 2018 PCMP Press Timothy Gassen 762 978-0-9797337-5-8 Don Larway Rich Preston Gord Labossiere Larry Lund Terry Ruskowski Jim Sherrit Ron Grahame Wayne Rutledge (did not play in playoffs) Bill Dineen (coach and general manager) Bobby Brown (Head Trainer) Bobby Kincaid (Equipment Manager) & Bob Skelton (Assistant Equipment Manager)http://wha-hof.com/trainers.php Dr. Eugene Crabtree Dr. Alfred Knoll Dr. William Ryleehttps://auctions.nhl.com/iSynApp/auctionDisplay.action?sid=1100803&auctionId=5483631 NHL Auctions Marty Howe's 1975 Houston Aeros WHA Champions Avco World Trophy May 12, 2026 References External links Postseason on Hockey Reference Category:1974–75 WHA season Category:World Hockey Association playoffs