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1974 WHA playoffs

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1974 WHA playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 6 – May 19, 1974
Season1973–74
Teams8
Final positions
ChampionsHouston Aeros (1st title)
Runner-upChicago Cougars
Semifinalists
← 1973
1975 →

The 1974 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Houston Aeros defeating the Eastern Division champion Chicago Cougars in four games for their first Avco Cup championship.[1][2]

Playoff seeds

[edit]

The top four teams in each division made the playoffs.

Eastern Division

[edit]
  1. New England Whalers, Eastern Division champions – 90 points
  2. Toronto Toros – 86 points
  3. Cleveland Crusaders – 83 points
  4. Chicago Cougars – 81 points

Western Division

[edit]
  1. Houston Aeros, Western Division champions – 101 points
  2. Minnesota Fighting Saints – 90 points
  3. Edmonton Oilers – 79 points
  4. Winnipeg Jets – 73 points


Bracket

[edit]
Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
E1 New England Whalers 3
E4 Chicago Cougars 4
E4 Chicago Cougars 4
Eastern Division
E2 Toronto Toros 3
E2 Toronto Toros 4
E3 Cleveland Crusaders 1
E4 Chicago Cougars 0
W1 Houston Aeros 4
W1 Houston Aeros 4
W4 Winnipeg Jets 0
W1 Houston Aeros 4
Western Division
W2 Minnesota Fighting Saints 2
W2 Minnesota Fighting Saints 4
W3 Edmonton Oilers 1

Division Semifinals

[edit]

Eastern Division Semifinals

[edit]

(E1) New England Whalers vs. (E4) Chicago Cougars

[edit]

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 Whalers won the first two games, including an overtime win in Game 2, but the Cougars struck back with wins back home and an OT win of their own. The teams traded wins on the road to set up a Game 7 in Boston. The Cougars pulled off the upset victory. 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. Game 7 also was the last playoff game played by the Whalers, who had already announced their move to Hartford months earlier. [3]

April 6Chicago Cougars4–6
(3–1, 1–3, 0–2)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Cam NewtonGoaliesAl Smith
Jocelyn Hardy
Bob Sicinski
Darryl Maggs
Duke Harris		GoalsLarry Pleau (2)
Tom Webster (2)
John Danby
Don Blackburn
11 18 11 - 40Shots10 11 9 - 30
April 7Chicago Cougars3–4
(1–1, 1–1, 1–1, 0–1)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Andre GillGoaliesAl Smith
Larry Mavety
Jan Popiel
Jocelyn Hardy		GoalsTom Webster
Tim Sheehy
Al Karlander
GW - John French (2:51)
12 15 9 1 37Shots13 9 12 3 37
April 9New England Whalers6–8
(0–5, 4–3, 2–0)		Chicago CougarsInternational Amphitheatre
Al Smith / Bruce LandonGoaliesCam Newton
Tim Sheehy (2)
Byers
Don Blackburn
John Cunniff
John French		GoalsBob Liddington (2)
Don Gordon
Jocelyn Hardy
Rosaire Paiement
Jim Watson
Jan Popiel
Bob Sicinski
9 9 11 - 29Shots12 9 7 - 28
April 10New England Whalers1–2 (OT)
(0–0, 0–0, 1–1, 0–1)		Chicago CougarsInternational Amphitheatre
Al SmithGoaliesCam Newton
Tim SheehyGoals3rd - Jan Popiel (19:35)
GW - Ralph Backstrom (17:45)
7 6 9 8 30Shots7 12 14 15 48
April 12Chicago Cougars4–2
(1–0, 1–2, 2–0)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Andre GillGoaliesAl Smith
Duke Harris (2)
Larry Mavety
Bob Sicinski		GoalsMike Byers
John French
6 6 11 - 23Shots10 13 4 - 27

April 14		New England Whalers2–0
(0–0, 0–0, 2–0)		Chicago CougarsInternational Amphitheatre
Al SmithGoaliesCam Newton
John French
Rick Ley		GoalsNo scoring
14 9 8 - 31Shots11 11 9 - 31
April 16Chicago Cougars3–2
(1–0, 0–2, 2–0)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Andre GillGoaliesAl Smith
Jocelyn Hardy
Ralph Backstrom
13:26 (3rd) - Jan Popiel		GoalsTom Webster (2)

(E2) Toronto Toros vs. (E3) Cleveland Crusaders

[edit]
April 7Cleveland Crusaders0–4
(0–1, 0–1, 0–2)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Gerry CheeversGoaliesGilles Gratton
No scoringGoalsWayne Dillon (2)
Gavin Kirk
Guy Trottier
29 (14-6-9)Shots39 (13-13-13)
April 9Cleveland Crusaders3–4
(0–0, 3–1, 0–3)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Gerry CheeversGoaliesGilles Gratton
Ron Ward
Tom Edur
Paul Andrea		Goals(2nd) - Tom Martin
(3rd) - Wayne Carleton
13:28 (3rd) - Wayne Carleton
16:49 (3rd) - Tom Martin
27 (12-9-6)Shots44 (14-14-6)
April 12Toronto Toros4–2
(1–1, 3–1, 0–0)		Cleveland CrusadersCleveland Arena
Gilles GrattonGoaliesGerry Cheevers
Dick Sentes (3)
Gavin Kirk		GoalsGary Jarrett
Ron Morgan
30 (8-15-7)Shots34 (14-5-15)
April 13Toronto Toros2–3 (OT)
(1–0, 0–2, 1–0, 0-1)		Cleveland CrusadersCleveland Arena
Gilles GrattonGoaliesGerry Cheevers
Brian Gibbons
15:05 (3rd) - Tom Martin		GoalsRuss Walker
Ron Ward
WG - Wayne Muloin (4:17)
34 (8-10-14-2)Shots39 (9-11-16-3)
April 14Cleveland Crusaders1–4
(0–3, 1–0, 0–1)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Gerry CheeversGoaliesGilles Gratton
Ron WardGoalsTom Simpson (2)
Pat Hickey (2)
28 (6-9-13)Shots49 (18-19-12)

Western Division Semifinals

[edit]

(W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W4) Winnipeg Jets

[edit]

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).[4][5][6] This would be the first of four times the Aeros and Jets would face each other in the playoffs.

April 8Houston Aeros5–2
(2–0, 0–0, 3–2)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Don McLeodGoaliesJoe Daley
Murray Hall (2)
Frank Hughes
Jim Sherrit
Mark Howe		GoalsDanny Johnson
Norm Beaudin
35 (14-8-13)Shots19 (6-10-3)
April 10Houston Aeros3–2
(0–1, 1–0, 2–1)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Don McLeodGoaliesJoe Daley
Marty Howe
Mark Howe
André Hinse		GoalsNorm Beaudin
Milt Black
22 (3-9-10)Shots22 (6-9-7)
April 13Winnipeg Jets1–10
(0–5, 1–1, 0–4)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Frank BlumGoaliesDon McLeod
Christian BordeleauGoalsLarry Lund (4)
Frank Hughes (2)
Gordie Howe
Gord Labossiere
Ted Taylor
Don Grierson
31 (7-11-13)Shots44 (18-8-18)
April 14Winnipeg Jets4–5
(0–2, 1–2, 3–1)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Frank BlumGoaliesDon McLeod
Christian Bordeleau (2)
Norm Beaudin
Bobby Hull		GoalsJohn Schella
Larry Hale
Murray Hall
Ted Taylor
Mark Howe
26 (10-8-8)Shots30 (12-13-5)

(W2) Minnesota Fighting Saints vs. (W3) Edmonton Oilers

[edit]
April 6Edmonton Oilers1–2
(0–0, 1–2, 0–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Jack NorrisGoaliesJohn Garrett
Blair MacDonaldGoalsMurray Heatley
Mike Walton
34 (10-12-12)Shots37 (12-16-9)
April 7Edmonton Oilers5–8
(0–2, 1–3, 4–3)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Jack NorrisGoaliesMike Curran
Blair MacDonald (2)
Bob McAneeley
Ron Climie
Bobby Sheehan		GoalsJohn Arbour (2)
Mike Walton (2)
George Morrison
Terry Ball
Gord Gallant
Ted Hampson
42 (7-19-16)Shots36 (13-14-9)
April 10Minnesota Fighting Saints6–2
(1–0, 2–1, 3–1)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
John GarrettGoaliesIan Wilkie / Jack Norris
Bob MacMillan (2)
Bill Klatt (2)
George Morrison
Wayne Connelly		GoalsAl Hamilton
Ross Perkins
29 (9-11-9)Shots41 (12-15-14)
April 12Minnesota Fighting Saints1–2
(0–0, 0–1, 1–1)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Mike CurranGoaliesChris Worthy
Wayne ConnellyGoalsVal Fonteyne
Eddie Joyal
25 (8-5-12)Shots36 (10-12-14)
April 14Edmonton Oilers4–5
(0–2, 2–2, 2–1)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSaint Paul Civic Center
Chris WorthyGoaliesJohn Garrett
Ken Baird
Eddie Joyal
Doug Barrie
Blair MacDonald		GoalsMike Walton (3)
George Morrison
Wayne Connelly
40 (7-13-20)Shots35 (19-9-7)

Division Finals

[edit]

Eastern Division Finals

[edit]

(E2) Toronto Toros vs. (E4) Chicago Cougars

[edit]

Both teams played their games away from their usual homes: The Cougars, left with no choice due to commitments, played at Randhurst Twin Ice Arena while the Toros elected to play their postseason games at Maple Leaf Gardens.[7]

April 19Chicago Cougars4–6
(1–1, 2–2, 1–3)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Cam NewtonGoaliesGilles Gratton / Les Binkley
Jim Benzelock
Duke Harris
Rick Morris
Rod Zaine		GoalsWayne Dillon (2)
Steve Cuddie
Tom Martin
Dick Sentes
Bob Leduc
10 17 7 - 34Shots12 9 16 - 37
April 22Chicago Cougars4–3
(1–0, 2–3, 1–0)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Andre GillGoaliesLes Binkley
Ralph Backstrom (2)
Don Gordon
9:28 (3rd) - Frank Rochon		GoalsBob Leduc
Tom Martin
Wayne Dillon
6 13 10 - 29Shots11 16 11 - 38
April 28Toronto Toros2–3
(2–1, 0–0, 0–2)		Chicago CougarsRandhurst Twin Ice Arena
Gilles Gratton / Les BinkleyGoaliesAndre Gill
Bob Leduc
Brian Gibbons		GoalsRosaire Paiement
Bob Sicinski
6:42 (3rd) - Rosaire Paiement
7 8 9 - 24Shots11 10 11 - 32
April 30Toronto Toros7–6
(2–2, 5–2, 0–2)		Chicago CougarsRandhurst Twin Ice Arena
Les Binkley / Gilles GrattonGoaliesAndre Gill / Cam Newton
Guy Trottier (3)
Wayne Carleton
Tom Simpson
Bob Leduc
19:49 (2nd) - Dick Sentes		GoalsLarry Mavety
Rosaire Paiement
Jim Benzelock
Jan Popiel
Rick Morris
Bob Liddington
9 12 9 - 30Shots15 11 10 - 36
May 1Chicago Cougars3–5
(0–2, 3–1, 0–2)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Cam NewtonGoaliesGilles Gratton
Rosaire Paiement
Duke Harris
Jim Watson		GoalsBilly Orr
Brit Selby
Pat Hickey
Jack Gibson
Guy Trottier
6 12 8 - 26Shots8 9 17 - 34
May 4Toronto Toros2–9
(1–4, 0–3, 1–2)		Chicago CougarsRandhurst Twin Ice Arena
Les BinkleyGoaliesAndre Gill
Tom Martin
Dick Sentes		GoalsRosaire Paiement (3)
Bob Liddington
Bob Sicinski
Darryl Maggs
Don Gordon
Rod Zaine
Jan Popiel
9 10 8 - 27Shots14 12 12 - 38
May 6Chicago Cougars5–2
(0–1, 4–0, 1–1)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Andre GillGoaliesGilles Gratton
Bob Liddington
Jan Popiel
Bob Sicinski
Darryl Maggs
Duke Harris		GoalsTom Simpson
Dick Sentes
12 9 7 - 28Shots17 8 13 - 38

Western Division Finals

[edit]

(W1) Houston Aeros vs. (W2) Minnesota Fighting Saints

[edit]

The series was a matchup of the two top scoring offenses (Minnesota, Houston) and defenses (Houston, Minnesota).

April 18Minnesota Fighting Saints5–4 (OT)
(2–1, 1–1, 1–2, 1–0)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
John GarrettGoaliesDon McLeod
John Arbour
Bill Klatt
Jim Johnson
Mike McMahon Jr
GW - Mike Walton (1:40)		GoalsMark Howe
Poul Popiel
Larry Lund
Ted Taylor
9 8 13 3 33Shots19 11 14 0 44
April 20Minnesota Fighting Saints2–5
(1–3, 1–2, 0–0)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
John GarrettGoaliesDon McLeod
Wayne Connelly
Mike Walton		GoalsAndré Hinse
Larry Lund
Murray Hall
Jim Sherrit
Gord Labossiere
4 8 2 - 14Shots20 18 12 - 50
April 21Houston Aeros1–4
(1–0, 0–0, 0–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Don McLeodGoaliesMike Curran
Frank HughesGoalsGeorge Morrison (2)
Ted Hampson
Wayne Connelly
6 15 15 - 36Shots10 5 5 - 20
April 28Houston Aeros4–1
(1–0, 1–1, 2–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Don McLeodGoaliesMike Curran
John Schella
Gordie Howe
Gord Labossiere
Frank Hughes		GoalsWayne Connelly
11 7 16 - 34Shots9 9 14 - 32
April 29Minnesota Fighting Saints4–9
(0–3, 1–4, 3–2)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
John GarrettGoaliesDon McLeod
Mike Walton (2)
Mike Antonovich
Ted Hampson		GoalsMark Howe (2)
André Hinse
Gordie Howe
Gord Labossiere
Frank Hughes
Larry Lund
Murray Hall
Jim Sherrit
5 10 9 - 24Shots25 11 15 - 51
Houston Aeros3–1
(0–0, 1–1, 2–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Don McLeodGoaliesMike Curran / John Garrett
Mark Howe (2)
Jim Sherrit		GoalsTed Hampson
13 11 13 - 37Shots13 12 6 - 31

Avco Cup Final

[edit]

(W1) Houston Aeros vs. (E4) Chicago Cougars

[edit]

The Aeros, having lost only one playoff game leading to the Finals, were well rested to play Chicago. 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).

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. This was the first professional sports championship for Houston since the Houston Oilers won the AFL in 1961.


May 12 Chicago Cougars 2–3 Houston Aeros Sam Houston Coliseum  
No scoring First period 6:31 - Larry Hale (Hall, Labossiere)
9:15 - Gord Labossiere (Taylor, Grierson)
No scoring Second period No scoring
5:42 - Bob Liddington (Stapleton, Backstrom)
13:45 - Don Gordon (Mavety, Proceviat) 		Third period 15:48 - Frank Hughes
Andre Gill 26 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Don McLeod 29 saves / 31 shots
May 15 Chicago Cougars 1–6 Houston Aeros Sam Houston Coliseum  
No scoring First period 13:21 - Murray Hall (Taylor, Lund)
18:08 - Gord Labossiere (P. Popiel, Taylor)
No scoring Second period 16:50 - André Hinse (G. Howe, Hughes)
19:44 - Frank Rochon Third period 1:59 - Jim Sherrit (Mark Howe, G. Howe)
2:23 - André Hinse (Lund, Hughes)
13:16 - Ted Taylor (Hall)
Andre Gill & Cam Newton 26 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Don McLeod 26 saves / 27 shots
May 17 Houston Aeros 7–4 Chicago Cougars Randhurst Twin Ice Arena  
5:19 - Murray Hall
10:51 - Frank Hughes (G. Howe, Hinse)
13:22 - Mark Howe (Sherrit, G. Howe) 		First period 12:17 - Ralph Backstrom
1:34 - André Hinse (G. Howe, P. Popiel)
3:21 - Larry Hale (Sherrit)
14:08 - André Hinse (Lund, P. Popiel) 		Second period 5:01 - Rosaire Paiement
11:38 - Rick Morris (Hardy, Gordon)
15:34 - Larry Mavety (Stapleton, Sicinski)
0:48 - Frank Hughes (Hinse) Third period No scoring
Don McLeod 24 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Andre Gill & Cam Newton 23 saves / 30 shots
May 19 Houston Aeros 6–2 Chicago Cougars Randhurst Twin Ice Arena  
14:34 - Larry Lund (Hinse, Hale)
15:47 - Murray Hall (Mark Howe, G. Howe)
16:55 - Murray Hall (P. Popiel, G. Howe) 		First period No scoring
12:40 - André Hinse (G. Howe, P. Popiel)
13:58 - Gord Labossiere (P. Popiel, Schella)
15:52 - Larry Lund (G. Howe, P. Popiel) 		Second period 17:29 - Jan Popiel (Paiement, Sicinski)
No scoring Third period 10:12 - Rick Morris (Mavety)
Don McLeod 28 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Cam Newton 27 saves / 33 shots
Houston won series 4–0


Statistical leaders

[edit]

Skaters

[edit]

These were the top ten skaters based on points. Bold denotes the statistical leader.[8]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Larry Lund Houston Aeros 14 9 14 23 56
Ralph Backstrom Chicago Cougars 18 5 14 19 4
Mark Howe Houston Aeros 14 9 10 19 4
Mike Walton Minnesota Fighting Saints 11 10 8 18 16
André Hinse Houston Aeros 14 8 9 17 18
Gordie Howe Houston Aeros 13 3 14 17 34
Gord Labossiere Houston Aeros 14 7 9 16 20
Murray Hall Houston Aeros 14 9 6 15 6
Rosaire Paiement Chicago Cougars 18 9 6 15 16
Poul Popiel Houston Aeros 14 1 14 15 22

Goaltending

[edit]

These were the top eight goaltenders in terms of minutes.[9]

Player Team GP GA SA SV SV% SO MIN
Don McLeod Houston Aeros 14 35 386 351 .909 0 842
Andre Gill Chicago Cougars 11 38 318 280 .881 0 614
Gilles Gratton Toronto Toros 10 25 287 262 .913 1 539
Cam Newton Chicago Cougars 10 34 254 220 .866 0 486
Al Smith New England Whalers 7 21 240 219 .913 1 399
John Garrett Minnesota Fighting Saints 7 25 256 231 .902 0 372
Gerry Cheevers Cleveland Crusaders 5 18 196 178 .908 0 303
Mike Curran Minnesota Fighting Saints 5 14 161 147 .913 0 289

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://www.surgent.net/wha/year/197374/playoffs.html
  2. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 108-109, 130-131. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  3. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1974-chicago-cougars-vs-new-england-whalers-east-division-semi-finals.html
  4. ^ http://curtiswalker.com/jets/games.php
  5. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/blumfr01.html
  6. ^ http://wha-hof.com/playerdetail.php?id=2
  7. ^ https://www.museumoftoronto.com/collection/toronto-toros/
  8. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1974_skaters.html#stats::points
  9. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/WHA_1974_goalies.html
[edit]

WHA playoffs

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