1974 WHA playoffs

WHA postseason tournament August 2023 WHA playoffs 1974 1973–74 April 6 – May 19, 1974 8 New England Whalers Houston Aeros 1 Chicago Cougars 1973 1975 Scoring leader(s) Larry Lund (Aeros) 23 points The 1974 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1973–74 season. The second postseason tournament of the league, it featured four teams each of the Western and Eastern Division competing against each other for the right to play for the Avco World Trophy. The Houston Aeros, bolstered by Gordie Howe and his two sons Mark and Marty, dominated the first two rounds, losing just twice on their way as the Western Division champion. In the Eastern Division, the Chicago Cougars pulled off a string of upsets that saw them win in seven games for both rounds as the fourth seed in their bracket to reach the Avco Cup Final. In the Finals, the Aeros swept the Cougars in four games for their first Avco Cup championship.https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197374/playoffs.html The Complete World Hockey Association - 1973-74 Playoff Results Surgent Scott 1990 The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition Surgent 108-109, 130-131 978-1727753424 Playoff seeds The top four teams in each division made the playoffs. Eastern Division New England Whalers, Eastern Division champions – 90 points Toronto Toros – 86 points Cleveland Crusaders – 83 points Chicago Cougars – 81 points Western Division Houston Aeros, Western Division champions – 101 points Minnesota Fighting Saints – 90 points Edmonton Oilers – 79 points Winnipeg Jets – 73 points Bracket Eastern Division Western Division E1 New England Whalers 3 E4 Chicago Cougars 4 E2 Toronto Toros 4 E3 Cleveland Crusaders 1 W1 Houston Aeros 4 W4 Winnipeg Jets 0 W2 Minnesota Fighting Saints 4 W3 Edmonton Oilers 1 E4 Chicago Cougars 4 E2 Toronto Toros 3 W1 Houston Aeros 4 W2 Minnesota Fighting Saints 2 E4 Chicago Cougars 0 W1 Houston Aeros 4 Division Semifinals Eastern Division Semifinals (E1) New England Whalers vs. (E4) Chicago Cougars The series matched Chicago, a team that had a negative goal differential (271-273) with the Whalers, who had the 2nd best defense with a 5th best goal attack to go along with home-field advantage; the teams split the eight games played between them in the regular season. As decided in February, the Whalers played their postseason games in West Springfield, Massachusetts (they would play a portion of their games for the 1974-75 season there before moving fully to Hartford, Connecticut).https://newspaperarchive.com/playground-daily-news-feb-24-1974-p-15/ WHA's Whalers To Move From Boston to Hartford Playground Daily News UPI February 24, 1974 The Whalers won Game 1 after rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the first period.https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-journal-apr-06-1974-p-11/ Middletown Journal Newspaper Archives, Apr 6, 1974, p. 11 April 6, 1974 https://newspaperarchive.com/star-news-apr-07-1974-p-17/ Star News Newspaper Archives, Apr 7, 1974, p. 17 April 7, 1974 The Whalers won the first two games.https://newspaperarchive.com/bucks-county-courier-times-apr-07-1974-p-84/ Bucks County Courier Times Archives, Apr 7, 1974, p. 84 April 7, 1974 Mike Byers shot the puck from the top of the faceoff circle that deflected off the skate of John French past the goalie to win Game 2 in overtime.https://newspaperarchive.com/greenfield-recorder-apr-08-1974-p-14/ Greenfield Recorder Newspaper Archives, Apr 8, 1974, p. 14 April 8, 1974 The Cougars struck back with a dominant first period in Game 3. In Game 4, Chicago pulled their goalie with less than 40 seconds remaining to put six forwards on the ice and Duke Harris checked the puck and slid it to his teammate Bob Sicinski in the corner to get it to Jan Popiel, who put it past New England for the tying goal with 0:34 remaining. Ralph Backstrom ended the game with his overtime goal.https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-apr-11-1974-p-20/ Nashua Telegraph Newspaper Archives, Apr 11, 1974, p. 20 April 11, 1974 The teams traded wins on the road to set up a Game 7 in Springfield. Despite trailing 2-1 in the third period and even seeing their player/coach Pat Stapleton ejected, the Cougars rallied with three goals in the third period.https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-apr-17-1974-p-15/ Freeport Journal Standard Archives, Apr 17, 1974, p. 15 April 17, 1974 As it turned out, Game 6 was the last playoff game played by the franchise at the International Amphitheatre, as the next home game would be moved to Randhurst Twin Ice Arena due to unforeseen commitments made at their venue. After the events of Game 7, the Whalers would stay in Springfield for parts of the next season before settling in Hartford.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-chicago-cougars-vs-new-england-whalers-east-division-semi-finals.html 1974 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: CHC vs. NEW Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 6 Chicago Cougars New England Whalers 4–6 (3–1, 1–3, 0–2) Box score Cam Newton Al Smith 1:52 (1st) – Jocelyn Hardy6:26 (1st) – Bob Sicinski10:52 (1st) – Darryl Maggs12:39 (2nd) – Duke Harris 2:52 (1st) – Tom Webster8:10 (2nd) – Larry Pleau17:01 (2nd) – Tom Webster17:46 (2nd) – Larry Pleau0:31 (3rd) – John Danby14:29 (3rd) – Don Blackburn Eastern States Coliseum 5,516 40(11–18–11) 30(10–11–9) #d0d0d0 April 7 Chicago Cougars New England Whalers 3–4 (OT) (1–1, 1–1, 1–1, 0–1) Box score Andre Gill Al Smith 18:10 (1st) – Larry Mavety11:44 (2nd) – Jan Popiel6:04 (3rd) – Jocelyn Hardy 4:26 (1st) – Tom Webster1:46 (2nd) – Tim Sheehy9:44 (3rd) – Al Karlander2:51 (OT) – John French Eastern States Coliseum 5,516 37(12–15–9–1) 37(13–9–12–3) #f0f0f0 April 9 New England Whalers Chicago Cougars 6–8 (0–5, 4–3, 2–0) Box score Al Smith / Bruce Landon Cam Newton 1:05 (2nd) – Mike Byers8:48 (2nd) – Don Blackburn9:23 (2nd) – John Cunniff9:43 (2nd) – John French8:58 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy13:56 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy 2:57 (1st) – Don Gordon5:57 (1st) – Jocelyn Hardy10:29 (1st) – Rosaire Paiement13:47 (1st) – Bob Liddington16:48 (1st) – Jan Popiel7:35 (2nd) – Rosaire Paiement11:46 (2nd) – Bob Sicinski13:51 (2nd) – Bob Liddington International Amphitheatre 3,125 29(9–9–11) 28(12–9–7) #d0d0d0 April 10 Chicago Cougars New England Whalers 1–2 (OT) (0–0, 0–0, 1–1, 0–1) Box score Al Smith Cam Newton 9:36 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy 19:35 (3rd) – Jan Popiel (19:35)17:45 (OT) – Ralph Backstrom International Amphitheatre 3,452 30(7–6–9–8) 48(7–12–14–15) #f0f0f0 April 12 Chicago Cougars New England Whalers 4–2 (1–0, 1–2, 2–0) Box score Andre Gill Al Smith 11:29 (1st) – Duke Harris2:00 (2nd) – Duke Harris10:24 (3rd) – Larry Mavety16:52 (3rd) – Bob Sicinski 17:11 (2nd) – Mike Byers17:51 (2nd) – John French Eastern States Coliseum 5,513 23(6–6–11) 27(10–13–4) #d0d0d0 April 14 New England Whalers Chicago Cougars 2–0 (0–0, 0–0, 2–0) Box score Al Smith Cam Newton 1:54 (3rd) – John French12:04 (3rd) – Rick Ley No scoring International Amphitheatre 4,253 31(14–9–8) 31(11–11–9) #f0f0f0 April 16 Chicago Cougars New England Whalers 3–2 (1–0, 0–2, 2–0) Box score Andre Gill Al Smith 11:08 (1st) – Jocelyn Hardy10:23 (3rd) – Ralph Backstrom13:26 (3rd) – Jan Popiel 6:20 (2nd) – Tom Webster9:58 (2nd) – Tom Webster Eastern States Coliseum 5,516 43(7–12–24) 27(12–8–7) (E2) Toronto Toros vs. (E3) Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland went 5-3 against Toronto in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-chicago-cougars-vs-new-england-whalers-east-division-semi-finals.html 1974 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: CLC vs. TRT Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 7 Cleveland Crusaders Toronto Toros 0–4 (0–1, 0–1, 0–2) Box score Gerry Cheevers Gilles Gratton No scoring 15:37 (1st) – Wayne Dillon17:20 (2nd) -Gavin Kirk6:24 (3rd) – Wayne Dillon19:55 (3rd) – Guy Trottier Maple Leaf Gardens 6,231 29(14–6–9) 39(13–13–13) #d0d0d0 April 9 Cleveland Crusaders Toronto Toros 3–4 (0–0, 3–1, 0–3) Box score Gerry Cheevers Gilles Gratton 5:06 (2nd) – Ron Ward11:45 (2nd) – Tom Edur15:28 (2nd) – Paul Andrea 3:46 (2nd) – Tom Martin11:55 (3rd) – Wayne Carleton13:28 (3rd) – Wayne Carleton16:49 (3rd) – Tom Martin Maple Leaf Gardens 5,177 27(12–9–6) 44(14–14–16) #f0f0f0 April 12 Toronto Toros Cleveland Crusaders 4–2 (1–1, 3–1, 0–0) Box score Gilles Gratton Gerry Cheevers 4:09 (1st) – Gavin Kirk12:41 (2nd) – Rick Sentes13:04 (2nd) – Rick Sentes19:23 (2nd) – Rick Sentes 6:35 (1st) – Gary Jarrett15:36 (2nd) – Ron Morgan Cleveland Arena 7,991 30(8–15–7) 34(14–5–15) #d0d0d0 April 13 Toronto Toros Cleveland Crusaders 2–3 (OT) (1–0, 0–2, 1–0, 0–1) Box score Gilles Gratton Gerry Cheevers 8:29 (1st) – Brian Gibbons15:05 (3rd) – Tom Martin 4:17 (2nd) – Russ Walker5:51 (2nd) – Ron Ward4:17 (OT) – Wayne Muloin Cleveland Arena 8,212 34(8–10–14–2) 39(9–11–16–3) #f0f0f0 April 14 Cleveland Crusaders Toronto Toros 1–4 (0–3, 1–0, 0–1) Box score Gerry Cheevers Gilles Gratton 9:17 (2nd) – Ron Ward 4:20 (1st) – Tom Simpson9:47 (1st) – Tom Simpson19:59 (1st) – Pat Hickey15:07 (3rd) – Pat Hickey Maple Leaf Gardens 6,889 28(6–9–13) 49(18–19–12) Western Division Semifinals (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W4) Winnipeg Jets Houston had gone 5–1–2 against Winnipeg in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-houston-aeros-vs-winnipeg-jets-west-division-semi-finals.html 1974 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: HSA vs. WNJ Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 After the first two games, Winnipeg goaltender Joe Daley and his backup Ernie Wakely each came down with pneumonia. Winnipeg was forced to loan a goalie, which resulted in them receiving Frank Blum (a goalie who had played just seven professional games in the WHA) from the Toronto Toros. In Game 3, Larry Lund led the attack for the Aeros, scoring four goals to set a new postseason record for goals that was not broken for five years. In total, Blum allowed fourteen goals in the resulting two games for the Jets as they were swept (as it turned out, Blum never played in the WHA ever again).http://curtiswalker.com/jets/games.php Game Results https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/blumfr01.html Frank Blum Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Title http://wha-hof.com/playerdetail.php?id=2 WHA Players This would be the first of four times the Aeros and Jets would face each other in the playoffs. #f0f0f0 April 8 Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets 5–2 (2–0, 0–0, 3–2) Box score Don McLeod Joe Daley 15:32 (1st) – Frank Hughes18:44 (1st) – Jim Sherrit3:02 (3rd) – Murray Hall6:14 (3rd) – Mark Howe15:58 (3rd) – Murray Hall 3:40 (3rd) – Danny Johnson8:19 (3rd) – Norm Beaudin Winnipeg Arena 8,446 35(14–8–13) 19(6–10–3) #d0d0d0 April 10 Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets 3–2 (0–1, 1–0, 2–1) Box score Don McLeod Joe Daley 16:24 (2nd) – Marty Howe7:58 (3rd) – Mark Howe9:00 (3rd) – Andre Hinse 2:36 (1st) – Norm Beaudin11:39 (3rd) – Milt Black Winnipeg Arena 8,692 22(3–9–10) 22(6–9–7) #f0f0f0 April 13 Winnipeg Jets Houston Aeros 1–10 (0–5, 1–1, 0–4) Box score Frank Blum Don McLeod 11:03 (2nd) – Christian Bordeleau 1:25 (1st) – Gordie Howe2:47 (1st) – Larry Lund4:27 (1st) – Gord Labossiere10:17 (1st) – Larry Lund19:59 (1st) – Ted Taylor0:22 (2nd) – Frank Hughes2:18 (3rd) – Larry Lund6:37 (3rd) – Larry Lund13:54 (3rd) – Don Grierson19:53 (3rd) – Frank Hughes Sam Houston Coliseum 9,462 31(7–11–13) 44(18–8–18) #d0d0d0 April 14 Winnipeg Jets Houston Aeros 4–5 (0–2, 1–2, 3–1) Box score Frank Blum Don McLeod 18:41 (2nd) – Christian Bordeleau2:26 (3rd) – Christian Bordeleau8:57 (3rd) – Norm Beaudin13:52 (3rd) – Bobby Hull 11:27 (1st) – John Schella15:46 (1st) – Larry Hale1:27 (2nd) – Murray Hall14:53 (2nd) – Ted Taylor6:33 (3rd) – Mark Howe Sam Houston Coliseum 8,474 26(10–8–8) 30(12–13–5) (W2) Minnesota Fighting Saints vs. (W3) Edmonton Oilers Edmonton went 5–3 against Minnesota in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-edmonton-oilers-vs-minnesota-fighting-saints-west-division-semi-finals.html 1974 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: EDO vs. MFS Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 6 Edmonton Oilers Minnesota Fighting Saints 1–2 (0–0, 1–2, 0–0) Box score Jack Norris John Garrett 2:39 (2nd) – Blair MacDonald 9:09 (2nd) – Murray Heatley9:38 (2nd) – Mike Walton St. Paul Civic Center 13,004 34(10–12–12) 37(12–16–9) #d0d0d0 April 7 Edmonton Oilers Minnesota Fighting Saints 5–8 (0–2, 1–3, 4–3) Box score Jack Norris / Chris Worthy Mike Curran 16:20 (2nd) – Blair MacDonald 9:52 (3rd) – Bob McAneeley11:45 (3rd) – Tom Gilmore13:39 (3rd) – Bobby Sheehan19:04 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald 3:36 (1st) – John Arbour18:24 (1st) – George Morrison7:33 (2nd) – Terry Ball10:53 (2nd) – Mike Walton12:04 (2nd) – Gord Gallant0:10 (3rd) – John Arbour18:32 (3rd) – Ted Hampson19:28 (3rd) – Mike Walton St. Paul Civic Center 11,756 42(7–19–16) 36(13–14–9) #f0f0f0 April 10 Minnesota Fighting Saints Edmonton Oilers 6–2 (1–0, 2–1, 3–1) Box score John Garrett Ian Wilkie / Jack Norris 9:18 (1st) – George Morrison0:26 (2nd) – Bob MacMillan1:29 (2nd) – Bill Klatt0:35 (3rd) – Bob MacMillan6:55 (3rd) – Wayne Connelly14:18 (3rd) – Bill Klatt 10:08 (2nd) – Al Hamilton15:25 (3rd) – Ross Perkins Edmonton Gardens 4,606 29(9–11–9) 41(12–15–14) #d0d0d0 April 12 Minnesota Fighting Saints Edmonton Oilers 1–2 (0–0, 0–1, 1–1) Box score Mike Curran Chris Worthy 19:22 (3rd) – Wayne Connelly 7:53 (2nd) – Val Fonteyne7:06 (3rd) – Eddie Joyal Edmonton Gardens 5,200 25(8–5–12) 36(10–12–14) #f0f0f0 April 14 Edmonton Oilers Minnesota Fighting Saints 4–5 (0–2, 2–2, 2–1) Box score Chris Worthy John Garrett 0:20 (2nd) – Ken Baird6:09 (2nd) – Eddie Joyal7:30 (3rd) – Doug Barrie11:42 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald 19:05 (1st) – Mike Walton19:20 (1st) – Mike Walton2:20 (2nd) – George Morrison15:45 (2nd) – Wayne Connelly5:32 (3rd) – Mike Walton Saint Paul Civic Center 10,764 40 (7–13–20) 35 (19–9–7) Division Finals Eastern Division Finals (E2) Toronto Toros vs. (E4) Chicago Cougars Both teams played their games away from their usual homes: The Cougars, left with no choice due to commitments for a production of Peter Pan while team president Walter Kaiser did not want to pay the $75,000 to get the International Amphitheatre ready for hockey again. As such, they played at Randhurst Twin Ice Arena while the Toros elected to play their postseason games at Maple Leaf Gardens.https://www.museumoftoronto.com/collection/toronto-toros/ The History of the Toronto Toros Hockey Team Chicago had gone 5–2–1 against Toronto in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-chicago-cougars-vs-toronto-toros-east-division-finals.html 1974 WHA East Division Finals: CHC vs. TRT Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 #f0f0f0 April 19 Chicago Cougars Toronto Toros 4–6 (1–1, 2–2, 1–3) Box score Cam Newton Gilles Gratton / Les Binkley 8:45 (1st) – Jim Benzelock12:39 (2nd) – Duke Harris18:01 (2nd) – Rick Morris2:03 (3rd) – Rod Zaine 0:43 (1st) – Steve Cuddie4:56 (2nd) – Wayne Dillon8:17 (2nd) – Tom Martin10:57 (3rd) – Rick Sentes12:41 (3rd) – Bob Leduc18:29 (3rd) – Wayne Dillon Maple Leaf Gardens 8,088 34(10–17–7) 37(12–9–16) #d0d0d0 April 22 Chicago Cougars Toronto Toros 4–3 (1–0, 2–3, 1–0) Box score Andre Gill Les Binkley 7:55 (1st) – Ralph Backstrom14:00 (2nd) – Don Gordon15:12 (2nd) – Ralph Backstrom9:28 (3rd) – Frank Rochon 8:55 (2nd) – Bob Leduc9:07 (2nd) – Tom Martin13:27 (2nd) – Wayne Dillon Maple Leaf Gardens 8,169 29(6–13–10) 38(11–16–11) #f0f0f0 April 28 Toronto Toros Chicago Cougars 2–3 (2–1, 0–0, 0–2) Box score Gilles Gratton / Les Binkley Andre Gill 10:40 (1st) – Bob Leduc16:40 (1st) – Brian Gibbons 15:00 (1st) – Bob Sicinski1:26 (3rd) – Rosaire Paiement6:42 (3rd) – Rosaire Paiement Randhurst Twin Ice Arena 2,780 24(7–8–9) 32(11–10–11) #d0d0d0 April 30 Toronto Toros Chicago Cougars 7–6 (2–2, 5–2, 0–2) Box score Les Binkley / Gilles Gratton Andre Gill / Cam Newton 1:51 (1st) – Wayne Carleton14:37 (1st) – Guy Trottier3:39 (2nd) – Tom Simpson6:42 (2nd) – Guy Trottier11:58 (2nd) – Bob Leduc14:15 (2nd) – Guy Trottier19:49 (2nd) – Rick Sentes 14:59 (1st) – Larry Mavety16:19 (1st) – Rosaire Paiement8:34 (2nd) – Jim Benzelock10:48 (2nd) – Jan Popiel3:22 (3rd) – Rick Morris4:04 (3rd) – Bob Liddington Randhurst Twin Ice Arena 2,648 30(9–12–9) 36(15–11–10) #f0f0f0 May 1 Chicago Cougars Toronto Toros 3–5 (0–2, 3–1, 0–2) Box score Cam Newton Gilles Gratton 4:17 (2nd) – Rosaire Paiement11:54 (2nd) – Duke Harris18:08 (2nd - Jim Watson 3:46 (1st) – Billy Orr10:34 (1st) – Brit Selby9:41 (2nd) – Pat Hickey5:02 (3rd) – Jack Gibson12:08 (3rd) – Guy Trottier Maple Leaf Gardens 8,456 26(6–12–8) 34(8–9–17) #d0d0d0 May 4 Toronto Toros Chicago Cougars 2–9 (1–4, 0–3, 1–2) Box score Les Binkley Andre Gill 1:19 (1st) – Tom Martin12:32 (3rd) – Rick Sentes 0:51 (1st) – Bob Liddington4:06 (1st) – Bob Sicinski8:01 (1st) – Rosaire Paiement18:31 (1st) – Darryl Maggs13:44 (2nd) – Don Gordon15:59 (2nd) – Rod Zaine17:50 (2nd) – Rosaire Paiement 2:16 (3rd) – Rosaire Paiement 15:51 (3rd) – Jan Popiel Randhurst Twin Ice Arena 2,633 27(9–10–8) 38(14–12–12) #f0f0f0 May 6 Chicago Cougars Toronto Toros 5–2 (0–1, 4–0, 1–1) Box score Andre Gill Gilles Gratton 0:39 (2nd) – Bob Liddington7:43 (2nd) – Jan Popiel14:12 (2nd) – Bob Sicinski16:32 (2nd) – Darryl Maggs0:26 (3rd) – Duke Harris 14:22 (1st) – Tom Simpson6:22 (3rd) – Rick Sentes Maple Leaf Gardens 8,791 28(12–9–7) 38(17–8–13) Western Division Finals (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W2) Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota had scored the most goals in the league (332) while Houston had scored the 2nd most (318), but Houston had the best defense in the league (allowing just 219 goals) compared to Minnesota (7th). Houston had gone 5–3 against Minnesota in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-houston-aeros-vs-minnesota-fighting-saints-west-division-finals.html 1974 WHA West Division Finals: HSA vs. MFS Game 2 was marred by a fight that saw Saints winger Gord Gallant ejected in the second period after getting into an altercation with Gordie Howe of the Aeros. When trying to get into the dressing room, him and several of his teammates got into a shoving match with fans. The result was that the two teams were sent to take a considerable break before playing the remaining five minutes of the second period as the beginning of the third period.https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-apr-21-1974-p-31/ Aeros Deadlock Series Associated Press Joplin Globe April 21, 1974 July 22, 2025 https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-sunday-journal-and-star-apr-21-1974-p-46/ Aeros Even Series, 5-2 UPI April 21, 1974 July 22, 2025 Game 4 set an attendance record for a WHA game with over 17,000 in attendance; no WHA playoff game would ever top the game in attendance.https://newspaperarchive.com/st-louis-sporting-news-apr-12-1975-p-57/ St Louis Sporting News Archives, Apr 12, 1975, p. 57 April 12, 1975 #f0f0f0 April 18 Minnesota Fighting Saints Houston Aeros 5–4 (OT) (2–1, 1–1, 1–2, 1–0) Box score John Garrett Don McLeod 6:42 (1st) – John Arbour12:55 (1st) – Bill Klatt1:53 (2nd) – Jim Johnson9:23 (3rd) – Mike McMahon Jr1:40 (OT) – Mike Walton 8:55 (1st) – Mark Howe8:10 (2nd) – Poul Popiel1:55 (3rd) – Larry Lund10:46 (3rd) – Ted Taylor Sam Houston Coliseum 8,484 33(9–8–13–3) 44(19–11–14–0) #d0d0d0 April 20 Minnesota Fighting Saints Houston Aeros 2–5 (1–3, 1–2, 0–0) Box score John Garrett Don McLeod 18:31 (1st) – Wayne Connelly3:21 (2nd) – Mike Walton 7:26 (1st) – Andre Hinse15:59 (1st) – Larry Lund18:43 (1st) – Murray Hall8:23 (2nd) – Mark Howe10:10 (2nd) – Gord Labossiere Sam Houston Coliseum 9,314 14(4–8–2) 50(20–18–12) #f0f0f0 April 21 Houston Aeros Minnesota Fighting Saints 1–4 (1–0, 0–3, 0–1) Box score Don McLeod Mike Curran 11:03 (1st) – Frank Hughes 5:06 (2nd) – George Morrison17:14 (2nd) – Ted Hampson17:34 (2nd) – George Morrison14:05 (3rd) – Wayne Connelly St. Paul Civic Center 16,412 20(10–5–5) 36(6–15–15) #d0d0d0 April 28 Houston Aeros Minnesota Fighting Saints 4–1 (1–0, 1–1, 2–0) Box score Don McLeod Mike Curran 1:08 (1st) – John Schella5:28 (2nd) – Gordie Howe8:31 (3rd) – Gord Labossiere10:08 (3rd) – Frank Hughes 13:43 (2nd) – Wayne Connelly St. Paul Civic Center 17,211 34(11–7–16) 32(9–9–14) #f0f0f0 April 29 Minnesota Fighting Saints Houston Aeros 4–9 (0–3, 1–4, 3–2) Box score John Garrett Don McLeod 4:11 (2nd) – Mike Antonovich2:18 (3rd) – Mike Walton11:19 (3rd) – Mike Walton18:37 (3rd) – Ted Hampson 10:31 (1st) – Andre Hinse15:48 (1st) – Mark Howe16:30 (1st) – Gordie Howe13:30 (2nd) – Mark Howe14:45 (2nd) – Gord Labossiere16:08 (2nd) – Frank Hughes 19:18 (2nd) – Larry Lund1:01 (3rd) – Murray Hall4:09 (3rd) – Jim Sherrit Sam Houston Coliseum 9,874 24(5–10–9) 51(25–11–15) #d0d0d0 May 1 Houston Aeros Minnesota Fighting Saints 3–1 (0–0, 1–1, 2–0) Box score Don McLeod Mike Curran / John Garrett 16:20 (2nd) – Mark Howe9:08 (3rd) – Jim Sherrit19:27 (3rd) – Mark Howe 3:39 (2nd) – Ted Hampson St. Paul Civic Center 12,422 37(13–11–13) 31(13–12–6) Avco Cup Final (W1) Houston Aeros vs. (E4) Chicago Cougars The series matched the Houston Aeros, as coached by Bill Dineen against the Chicago Cougars, as coached by player-coach Pat Stapleton. Houston had gone 4–2 against Chicago in the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-chicago-cougars-vs-houston-aeros-stanley-cup-final.html 1974 WHA Avco Cup Final: CHC vs. HSA Hockey Reference July 22, 2025 The Aeros, having lost only one playoff game leading to the Finals, had eleven days off from their last game prior to the Final, while Chicago had six days of rest. The Final matched two brothers with Jan Popiel for Chicago (who finished the postseason tied for third-most goals with 8) and Poul Popiel for Houston (who tied the postseason for most assists with 14). The New York Times, noting the Cougars playing their home games at a suburban shopping‐center ice rink with the Randhurst Twin Ice Arena, called the Final a "Supermarket Series". Ironically, the same production that forced Chicago out of their arena was now in Houston that forced Game 3 and 4 to be hosted by the Aeros rather than Game 1 and Game 2. All games were played at 8:30pm EST.https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/09/archives/wha-championship-chicago-vs-houston.html W.H.A. Championship The New York Times May 9, 1974 https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/08/archives/-supermarket-series-set-for-wha-finals.html 'Supermarket Series' Set for W.H.A. Finals The New York Times May 12, 1974 March 21, 2025https://newspaperarchive.com/southern-illinoisan-may-12-1974-p-19/ Southern Illinoisan Archives, May 12, 1974, p. 19 May 12, 1974 3,000 fans attended the inaugural game in Chicago. Houston took the lead early in Game 1, but Chicago threatened late and tied the game in the third period before the Aeros scored with four minutes remaining to take the lead again and win. The next three games saw Houston dominate and never trail at any moment on their way to a sweep. 9,874 fans attended Game 3 in Houston, Texas, the first professional hockey championship game in the state. In Game 4, to a crowd of 9,874 fans in Houston, Murray Hall scored the series-winning goal at 16:55 in the first period as Houston utilized a three-goal first period to bury the Cougars 6–2.https://newspaperarchive.com/brandon-sun-may-21-1974-p-11/ Aeros ride power-play goals to WHA championship Brandon Sun May 21, 1974 John Korobanik July 22, 2025 This was the first professional sports championship for Houston since the Houston Oilers won the AFL in 1961.https://newspaperarchive.com/corry-evening-journal-may-20-1974-p-8/ Corry Evening Journal Archives, May 20, 1974, p. 8 May 20, 1974 Gordie Howe (who also stated his interest in maybe playing a second season with Houston), noting the chance he got to have to play with his sons Mark and Marty, stated at the time that the Avco Cup championship probably meant more to him than the four Stanley Cups he had won with Detroit.https://newspaperarchive.com/delphos-herald-may-20-1974-p-5/ Delphos Herald Newspaper Archives, May 20, 1974, p. 5 May 20, 1974 Houston Aeros Chicago Cougars Sam Houston Coliseum Randhurst Twin Ice Arena yes May 12 2–3 1 archive.ph/nUIjz No scoring 6:31 – Larry Hale (Hall, Labossiere)9:19 – Gord Labossiere (Taylor, Grierson) No scoring No scoring 5:42 – Bob Liddington (Stapleton, Backstrom) 13:45 – Don Gordon (Mavety, Proceviat) 15:48 – Frank Hughes Don McLeod 29 saves / 31 shots Andre Gill 26 saves / 29 shots May 15 1–6 1 archive.ph/hl1a3 No scoring 13:21 – Murray Hall (Taylor, Lund) 18:08 – Gord Labossiere (P. Popiel, Taylor) No scoring 16:50 – Andre Hinse (G. Howe, Hughes) 19:44 – Frank Rochon 1:59 – Jim Sherrit (Mark Howe, G. Howe) 2:23 – Andre Hinse (Lund, Hughes) 13:16 – Ted Taylor (Hall) Don McLeod 26 saves / 27 shots Andre Gill & Cam Newton 26 saves / 32 shots May 17 7–4 1 archive.ph/oEEfU 12:17 – Ralph Backstrom 5:19 – Murray Hall 10:51 – Frank Hughes (G. Howe, Hinse)13:22 – Mark Howe (Sherrit, G. Howe) 5:01 – Rosaire Paiement11:38 – Rick Morris (Hardy, Gordon)15:34 – Larry Mavety (Stapleton, Sicinski) 1:34 – Andre Hinse (G. Howe, P. Popiel) 3:21 – Larry Hale (Sherrit)14:08 – Andre Hinse (Lund, P. Popiel) 0:48 – Frank Hughes (Hinse) No scoring Don McLeod 24 saves / 28 shots Andre Gill 13 saves / 19 shotsCam Newton 10 saves / 11 shots May 19 6–2 1 archive.ph/3M2Km No scoring 14:34 – Larry Lund (Hinse, Hale) 15:47 – Murray Hall (Mark Howe, G. Howe) 16:55 – Murray Hall (P. Popiel, G. Howe) 17:29 – Jan Popiel (Paiement, Sicinski) 12:40 – Andre Hinse (G. Howe, P. Popiel) 13:58 – Gord Labossiere (P. Popiel, Schella) 15:52 – Larry Lund (G. Howe, P. Popiel) No scoring 10:12 – Rick Morris (Mavety) Don McLeod 28 saves / 30 shots Cam Newton 29 saves / 35 shots Houston won series 4–0 Statistical leaders Skaters These were the top ten skaters based on points. Bold denotes the statistical leader.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1974_skaters.html#stats::points 1974 WHA Playoffs Skater Statistics Player Team GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points PIM Penalties in minutesLarry LundHouston Aeros 14 9 14 23 56 Ralph BackstromChicago Cougars 18 5 14 19 4 Mark HoweHouston Aeros 14 9 10 19 4 Mike WaltonMinnesota Fighting Saints11 10 8 18 16 Andre Hinse André HinseHouston Aeros14 8 9 17 18 Gordie HoweHouston Aeros133141734 Gord LabossiereHouston Aeros14791620 Murray Hall Murray Hall (ice hockey)Houston Aeros1496156Rosaire PaiementChicago Cougars18 961516 Poul PopielHouston Aeros141141522 Goaltending These were the top eight goaltenders in terms of minutes.https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1974_goalies.html 1974 WHA Playoffs Goalie Statistics Player Team GP Games Played GA Goals Against SA Shots Against SV Saves SV% Save Percentage SO Shutout MIN MinutesDon McLeodHouston Aeros14 35 386351 .909 0 842 Andre Gill Andre Gill (ice hockey)Chicago Cougars1138 318 280 .8810614 Gilles GrattonToronto Toros10 25 287 262 .9131539 Cam Newton Cam Newton (ice hockey)Chicago Cougars10 34254220.8660 486 Al Smith Al Smith (ice hockey)New England Whalers7 21 240 219 .9131 399 John Garrett John Garrett (ice hockey)Minnesota Fighting Saints725256231.9020 372 Gerry CheeversCleveland Crusaders518196178.9080 303 Mike CurranMinnesota Fighting Saints5 14 161 147 .913 0 289 Championship roster 1973–74 Houston Aeros Dunc McCallum (did not play)1972-1979 WHA Guides 2018 PCMP Press Timothy Gassen 179 978-0-9797337-5-8 Bill Prentice Gordon Kannegiesser Larry Hale John Schella Poul Popiel Mark Howe Gary Williamson Jack Stanfield Marty Howe Andre Hinse Don Grierson Ted Taylor (Captain)1972-1979 WHA Guides 2018 PCMP Press Timothy Gassen 762 978-0-9797337-5-8 Frank Hughes Gordie Howe Joe Szura Jim Sherrit Murray Hall Ed Hoekstra (did not play)In the 1974 media guide, Hoekstra, who did not play in the playoffs, is listed as part of the championship roster. On the miniature Avco Trophy given out to players for the win, however, Hoekstra was not listed on the plaque as part of the team.1972-1979 WHA Guides 2018 PCMP Press Timothy Gassen 179 978-0-9797337-5-8https://auctions.nhl.com/iSynApp/auctionDisplay.action?sid=1100803&auctionId=5483631 NHL Auctions Marty Howe's 1974 Houston Aeros WHA Champions Avco World Trophy May 12, 2026 Gord Labossiere Larry Lund Don McLeod Wayne Rutledge (did not play in playoffs) Ron Grahame (did not play in playoffs) Bill Dineen (Head Coach) James S. Smith (President and General Manager) Doug Harvey (Asst. Coach) Irvin Kaplan (Chairman of the Board) Bobby Brown (Head Trainer), Bobby Kincaid (Assistant Trainer) References Notes External links WHA playoffs Category:1973–74 WHA season Category:World Hockey Association playoffs