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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)
Runners-upChicago Cougars
Semifinalists
← 1973
1975 →

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.[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 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).[3]

The Whalers won Game 1 after rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the first period.[4][5] The Whalers won the first two games.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]

April 6Chicago Cougars4–6
(3–1, 1–3, 0–2)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Attendance: 5,516
Box score
Cam NewtonGoaliesAl Smith
1:52 (1st) – Jocelyn Hardy
6:26 (1st) – Bob Sicinski
10:52 (1st) – Darryl Maggs
12:39 (2nd) – Duke Harris		Goals2:52 (1st) – Tom Webster
8:10 (2nd) – Larry Pleau
17:01 (2nd) – Tom Webster
17:46 (2nd) – Larry Pleau
0:31 (3rd) – John Danby
14:29 (3rd) – Don Blackburn
40
(11–18–11)		Shots30
(10–11–9)
April 7Chicago Cougars3–4 (OT)
(1–1, 1–1, 1–1, 0–1)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Attendance: 5,516
Box score
Andre GillGoaliesAl Smith
18:10 (1st) – Larry Mavety
11:44 (2nd) – Jan Popiel
6:04 (3rd) – Jocelyn Hardy		Goals4:26 (1st) – Tom Webster
1:46 (2nd) – Tim Sheehy
9:44 (3rd) – Al Karlander
2:51 (OT) – John French
37
(12–15–9–1)		Shots37
(13–9–12–3)
April 9New England Whalers6–8
(0–5, 4–3, 2–0)		Chicago CougarsInternational Amphitheatre
Attendance: 3,125
Box score
Al Smith / Bruce LandonGoaliesCam Newton
1:05 (2nd) – Mike Byers
8:48 (2nd) – Don Blackburn
9:23 (2nd) – John Cunniff
9:43 (2nd) – John French
8:58 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy
13:56 (3rd) – Tim Sheehy		Goals2:57 (1st) – Don Gordon
5:57 (1st) – Jocelyn Hardy
10:29 (1st) – Rosaire Paiement
13:47 (1st) – Bob Liddington
16:48 (1st) – Jan Popiel
7:35 (2nd) – Rosaire Paiement
11:46 (2nd) – Bob Sicinski
13:51 (2nd) – Bob Liddington
29
(9–9–11)		Shots28
(12–9–7)
April 10New England Whalers1–2 (OT)
(0–0, 0–0, 1–1, 0–1)		Chicago CougarsInternational Amphitheatre
Attendance: 3,452
Box score
Al SmithGoaliesCam Newton
9:36 (3rd) – Tim SheehyGoals19:35 (3rd) – Jan Popiel (19:35)
17:45 (OT) – Ralph Backstrom
30
(7–6–9–8)		Shots48
(7–12–14–15)
April 12Chicago Cougars4–2
(1–0, 1–2, 2–0)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Attendance: 5,513
Box score
Andre GillGoaliesAl Smith
11:29 (1st) – Duke Harris
2:00 (2nd) – Duke Harris
10:24 (3rd) – Larry Mavety
16:52 (3rd) – Bob Sicinski		Goals17:11 (2nd) – Mike Byers
17:51 (2nd) – John French
23
(6–6–11)		Shots27
(10–13–4)

April 14		New England Whalers2–0
(0–0, 0–0, 2–0)		Chicago CougarsInternational Amphitheatre
Attendance: 4,253
Box score
Al SmithGoaliesCam Newton
1:54 (3rd) – John French
12:04 (3rd) – Rick Ley		GoalsNo scoring
31
(14–9–8)		Shots31
(11–11–9)
April 16Chicago Cougars3–2
(1–0, 0–2, 2–0)		New England WhalersEastern States Coliseum
Attendance: 5,516
Box score
Andre GillGoaliesAl Smith
11:08 (1st) – Jocelyn Hardy
10:23 (3rd) – Ralph Backstrom
13:26 (3rd) – Jan Popiel		Goals6:20 (2nd) – Tom Webster
9:58 (2nd) – Tom Webster
43
(7–12–24)		Shots27
(12–8–7)

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

[edit]

Cleveland went 5-3 against Toronto in the regular season.[11]

April 7Cleveland Crusaders0–4
(0–1, 0–1, 0–2)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Attendance: 6,231
Box score
Gerry CheeversGoaliesGilles Gratton
No scoringGoals15:37 (1st) – Wayne Dillon
17:20 (2nd) -Gavin Kirk
6:24 (3rd) – Wayne Dillon
19:55 (3rd) – Guy Trottier
29
(14–6–9)		Shots39
(13–13–13)
April 9Cleveland Crusaders3–4
(0–0, 3–1, 0–3)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Attendance: 5,177
Box score
Gerry CheeversGoaliesGilles Gratton
5:06 (2nd) – Ron Ward
11:45 (2nd) – Tom Edur
15:28 (2nd) – Paul Andrea		Goals3:46 (2nd) – Tom Martin
11:55 (3rd) – Wayne Carleton
13:28 (3rd) – Wayne Carleton
16:49 (3rd) – Tom Martin
27
(12–9–6)		Shots44
(14–14–16)
April 12Toronto Toros4–2
(1–1, 3–1, 0–0)		Cleveland CrusadersCleveland Arena
Attendance: 7,991
Box score
Gilles GrattonGoaliesGerry Cheevers
4:09 (1st) – Gavin Kirk
12:41 (2nd) – Rick Sentes
13:04 (2nd) – Rick Sentes
19:23 (2nd) – Rick Sentes		Goals6:35 (1st) – Gary Jarrett
15:36 (2nd) – 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
Attendance: 8,212
Box score
Gilles GrattonGoaliesGerry Cheevers
8:29 (1st) – Brian Gibbons
15:05 (3rd) – Tom Martin		Goals4:17 (2nd) – Russ Walker
5:51 (2nd) – Ron Ward
4:17 (OT) – Wayne Muloin
34
(8–10–14–2)		Shots39
(9–11–16–3)
April 14Cleveland Crusaders1–4
(0–3, 1–0, 0–1)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Attendance: 6,889
Box score
Gerry CheeversGoaliesGilles Gratton
9:17 (2nd) – Ron WardGoals4:20 (1st) – Tom Simpson
9:47 (1st) – Tom Simpson
19:59 (1st) – Pat Hickey
15:07 (3rd) – Pat Hickey
28
(6–9–13)		Shots49
(18–19–12)

Western Division Semifinals

[edit]

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

[edit]

Houston had gone 5–1–2 against Winnipeg in the regular season.[12]

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).[13][14][15] 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
Attendance: 8,446
Box score
Don McLeodGoaliesJoe Daley
15:32 (1st) – Frank Hughes
18:44 (1st) – Jim Sherrit
3:02 (3rd) – Murray Hall
6:14 (3rd) – Mark Howe
15:58 (3rd) – Murray Hall		Goals3:40 (3rd) – Danny Johnson
8:19 (3rd) – Norm Beaudin
35
(14–8–13)		Shots19
(6–10–3)
April 10Houston Aeros3–2
(0–1, 1–0, 2–1)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Attendance: 8,692
Box score
Don McLeodGoaliesJoe Daley
16:24 (2nd) – Marty Howe
7:58 (3rd) – Mark Howe
9:00 (3rd) – André Hinse		Goals2:36 (1st) – Norm Beaudin
11:39 (3rd) – Milt Black
22
(3–9–10)		Shots22
(6–9–7)
April 13Winnipeg Jets1–10
(0–5, 1–1, 0–4)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Attendance: 9,462
Box score
Frank BlumGoaliesDon McLeod
11:03 (2nd) – Christian BordeleauGoals1:25 (1st) – Gordie Howe
2:47 (1st) – Larry Lund
4:27 (1st) – Gord Labossiere
10:17 (1st) – Larry Lund
19:59 (1st) – Ted Taylor
0:22 (2nd) – Frank Hughes
2:18 (3rd) – Larry Lund
6:37 (3rd) – Larry Lund
13:54 (3rd) – Don Grierson
19:53 (3rd) – Frank Hughes
31
(7–11–13)		Shots44
(18–8–18)
April 14Winnipeg Jets4–5
(0–2, 1–2, 3–1)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Attendance: 8,474
Box score
Frank BlumGoaliesDon McLeod
18:41 (2nd) – Christian Bordeleau
2:26 (3rd) – Christian Bordeleau
8:57 (3rd) – Norm Beaudin
13:52 (3rd) – Bobby Hull		Goals11:27 (1st) – John Schella
15:46 (1st) – Larry Hale
1:27 (2nd) – Murray Hall
14:53 (2nd) – Ted Taylor
6:33 (3rd) – Mark Howe
26
(10–8–8)		Shots30
(12–13–5)

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

[edit]

Edmonton went 5–3 against Minnesota in the regular season.[16]

April 6Edmonton Oilers1–2
(0–0, 1–2, 0–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Attendance: 13,004
Box score
Jack NorrisGoaliesJohn Garrett
2:39 (2nd) – Blair MacDonaldGoals9:09 (2nd) – Murray Heatley
9:38 (2nd) – 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
Attendance: 11,756
Box score
Jack Norris / Chris WorthyGoaliesMike Curran
16:20 (2nd) – Blair MacDonald
9:52 (3rd) – Bob McAneeley
11:45 (3rd) – Tom Gilmore
13:39 (3rd) – Bobby Sheehan
19:04 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald		Goals3:36 (1st) – John Arbour
18:24 (1st) – George Morrison
7:33 (2nd) – Terry Ball
10:53 (2nd) – Mike Walton
12:04 (2nd) – Gord Gallant
0:10 (3rd) – John Arbour
18:32 (3rd) – Ted Hampson
19:28 (3rd) – Mike Walton
42
(7–19–16)		Shots36
(13–14–9)
April 10Minnesota Fighting Saints6–2
(1–0, 2–1, 3–1)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Gardens
Attendance: 4,606
Box score
John GarrettGoaliesIan Wilkie / Jack Norris
9:18 (1st) – George Morrison
0:26 (2nd) – Bob MacMillan
1:29 (2nd) – Bill Klatt
0:35 (3rd) – Bob MacMillan
6:55 (3rd) – Wayne Connelly
14:18 (3rd) – Bill Klatt		Goals10:08 (2nd) – Al Hamilton
15:25 (3rd) – Ross Perkins
29
(9–11–9)		Shots41
(12–15–14)
April 12Minnesota Fighting Saints1–2
(0–0, 0–1, 1–1)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Gardens
Attendance: 5,200
Box score
Mike CurranGoaliesChris Worthy
19:22 (3rd) – Wayne ConnellyGoals7:53 (2nd) – Val Fonteyne
7:06 (3rd) – 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
Attendance: 10,764
Box score
Chris WorthyGoaliesJohn Garrett
0:20 (2nd) – Ken Baird
6:09 (2nd) – Eddie Joyal
7:30 (3rd) – Doug Barrie
11:42 (3rd) – Blair MacDonald		Goals19:05 (1st) – Mike Walton
19:20 (1st) – Mike Walton
2:20 (2nd) – George Morrison
15:45 (2nd) – Wayne Connelly
5:32 (3rd) – Mike Walton
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 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.[17] Chicago had gone 5–2–1 against Toronto in the regular season.[18]

April 19Chicago Cougars4–6
(1–1, 2–2, 1–3)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Attendance: 8,088
Box score
Cam NewtonGoaliesGilles Gratton / Les Binkley
8:45 (1st) – Jim Benzelock
12:39 (2nd) – Duke Harris
18:01 (2nd) – Rick Morris
2:03 (3rd) – Rod Zaine		Goals0:43 (1st) – Steve Cuddie
4:56 (2nd) – Wayne Dillon
8:17 (2nd) – Tom Martin
10:57 (3rd) – Rick Sentes
12:41 (3rd) – Bob Leduc
18:29 (3rd) – Wayne Dillon
34
(10–17–7)		Shots37
(12–9–16)
April 22Chicago Cougars4–3
(1–0, 2–3, 1–0)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Attendance: 8,169
Box score
Andre GillGoaliesLes Binkley
7:55 (1st) – Ralph Backstrom
14:00 (2nd) – Don Gordon
15:12 (2nd) – Ralph Backstrom
9:28 (3rd) – Frank Rochon		Goals8:55 (2nd) – Bob Leduc
9:07 (2nd) – Tom Martin
13:27 (2nd) – Wayne Dillon
29
(6–13–10)		Shots38
(11–16–11)
April 28Toronto Toros2–3
(2–1, 0–0, 0–2)		Chicago CougarsRandhurst Twin Ice Arena
Attendance: 2,780
Box score
Gilles Gratton / Les BinkleyGoaliesAndre Gill
10:40 (1st) – Bob Leduc
16:40 (1st) – Brian Gibbons		Goals15:00 (1st) – Bob Sicinski
1:26 (3rd) – Rosaire Paiement
6:42 (3rd) – Rosaire Paiement
24
(7–8–9)		Shots32
(11–10–11)
April 30Toronto Toros7–6
(2–2, 5–2, 0–2)		Chicago CougarsRandhurst Twin Ice Arena
Attendance: 2,648
Box score
Les Binkley / Gilles GrattonGoaliesAndre Gill / Cam Newton
1:51 (1st) – Wayne Carleton
14:37 (1st) – Guy Trottier
3:39 (2nd) – Tom Simpson
6:42 (2nd) – Guy Trottier
11:58 (2nd) – Bob Leduc
14:15 (2nd) – Guy Trottier
19:49 (2nd) – Rick Sentes		Goals14:59 (1st) – Larry Mavety
16:19 (1st) – Rosaire Paiement
8:34 (2nd) – Jim Benzelock
10:48 (2nd) – Jan Popiel
3:22 (3rd) – Rick Morris
4:04 (3rd) – Bob Liddington
30
(9–12–9)		Shots36
(15–11–10)
May 1Chicago Cougars3–5
(0–2, 3–1, 0–2)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Attendance: 8,456
Box score
Cam NewtonGoaliesGilles Gratton
4:17 (2nd) – Rosaire Paiement
11:54 (2nd) – Duke Harris
18:08 (2nd - Jim Watson		Goals3:46 (1st) – Billy Orr
10:34 (1st) – Brit Selby
9:41 (2nd) – Pat Hickey
5:02 (3rd) – Jack Gibson
12:08 (3rd) – Guy Trottier
26
(6–12–8)		Shots34
(8–9–17)
May 4Toronto Toros2–9
(1–4, 0–3, 1–2)		Chicago CougarsRandhurst Twin Ice Arena
Attendance: 2,633
Box score
Les BinkleyGoaliesAndre Gill
1:19 (1st) – Tom Martin
12:32 (3rd) – Rick Sentes		Goals0:51 (1st) – Bob Liddington
4:06 (1st) – Bob Sicinski
8:01 (1st) – Rosaire Paiement
18:31 (1st) – Darryl Maggs
13:44 (2nd) – Don Gordon
15:59 (2nd) – Rod Zaine
17:50 (2nd) – Rosaire Paiement
2:16 (3rd) – Rosaire Paiement
15:51 (3rd) – Jan Popiel
27
(9–10–8)		Shots38
(14–12–12)
May 6Chicago Cougars5–2
(0–1, 4–0, 1–1)		Toronto TorosMaple Leaf Gardens
Attendance: 8,791
Box score
Andre GillGoaliesGilles Gratton
0:39 (2nd) – Bob Liddington
7:43 (2nd) – Jan Popiel
14:12 (2nd) – Bob Sicinski
16:32 (2nd) – Darryl Maggs
0:26 (3rd) – Duke Harris		Goals14:22 (1st) – Tom Simpson
6:22 (3rd) – Rick Sentes
28
(12–9–7)		Shots38
(17–8–13)

Western Division Finals

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.[19] 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.[20][21]

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.[22]

April 18Minnesota Fighting Saints5–4 (OT)
(2–1, 1–1, 1–2, 1–0)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Attendance: 8,484
Box score
John GarrettGoaliesDon McLeod
6:42 (1st) – John Arbour
12:55 (1st) – Bill Klatt
1:53 (2nd) – Jim Johnson
9:23 (3rd) – Mike McMahon Jr
1:40 (OT) – Mike Walton		Goals8:55 (1st) – Mark Howe
8:10 (2nd) – Poul Popiel
1:55 (3rd) – Larry Lund
10:46 (3rd) – Ted Taylor
33
(9–8–13–3)		Shots44
(19–11–14–0)
April 20Minnesota Fighting Saints2–5
(1–3, 1–2, 0–0)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Attendance: 9,314
Box score
John GarrettGoaliesDon McLeod
18:31 (1st) – Wayne Connelly
3:21 (2nd) – Mike Walton		Goals7:26 (1st) – André Hinse
15:59 (1st) – Larry Lund
18:43 (1st) – Murray Hall
8:23 (2nd) – Mark Howe
10:10 (2nd) – Gord Labossiere
14
(4–8–2)		Shots50
(20–18–12)
April 21Houston Aeros1–4
(1–0, 0–3, 0–1)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Attendance: 16,412
Box score
Don McLeodGoaliesMike Curran
11:03 (1st) – Frank HughesGoals5:06 (2nd) – George Morrison
17:14 (2nd) – Ted Hampson
17:34 (2nd) – George Morrison
14:05 (3rd) – Wayne Connelly
20
(10–5–5)		Shots36
(6–15–15)
April 28Houston Aeros4–1
(1–0, 1–1, 2–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Attendance: 17,211
Box score
Don McLeodGoaliesMike Curran
1:08 (1st) – John Schella
5:28 (2nd) – Gordie Howe
8:31 (3rd) – Gord Labossiere
10:08 (3rd) – Frank Hughes		Goals13:43 (2nd) – Wayne Connelly
34
(11–7–16)		Shots32
(9–9–14)
April 29Minnesota Fighting Saints4–9
(0–3, 1–4, 3–2)		Houston AerosSam Houston Coliseum
Attendance: 9,874
Box score
John GarrettGoaliesDon McLeod
4:11 (2nd) – Mike Antonovich
2:18 (3rd) – Mike Walton
11:19 (3rd) – Mike Walton
18:37 (3rd) – Ted Hampson		Goals10:31 (1st) – André Hinse
15:48 (1st) – Mark Howe
16:30 (1st) – Gordie Howe
13:30 (2nd) – Mark Howe
14:45 (2nd) – Gord Labossiere
16:08 (2nd) – Frank Hughes
19:18 (2nd) – Larry Lund
1:01 (3rd) – Murray Hall
4:09 (3rd) – Jim Sherrit
24
(5–10–9)		Shots51
(25–11–15)
May 1Houston Aeros3–1
(0–0, 1–1, 2–0)		Minnesota Fighting SaintsSt. Paul Civic Center
Attendance: 12,422
Box score
Don McLeodGoaliesMike Curran / John Garrett
16:20 (2nd) – Mark Howe
9:08 (3rd) – Jim Sherrit
19:27 (3rd) – Mark Howe		Goals3:39 (2nd) – Ted Hampson
37
(13–11–13)		Shots31
(13–12–6)

Avco Cup Final

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.[23]

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.[24][25][26]

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.[27] This was the first professional sports championship for Houston since the Houston Oilers won the AFL in 1961.[28] 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.[29]


May 12 Chicago Cougars 2–3 Houston Aeros Randhurst Twin Ice Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 6:31 – Larry Hale (Hall, Labossiere)
9:19 – 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 Randhurst Twin Ice Arena Recap  
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 Sam Houston Coliseum Recap  
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 13 saves / 19 shots
Cam Newton 10 saves / 11 shots
May 19 Houston Aeros 6–2 Chicago Cougars Sam Houston Coliseum Recap  
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 29 saves / 35 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.[30]

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
Andre 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.[31]

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

Championship roster

[edit]

1973–74 Houston Aeros

Players

  Goaltenders

Coaching and administrative staff


References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Complete World Hockey Association - 1973-74 Playoff Results".
  2. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 108-109, 130-131. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  3. ^ "WHA's Whalers To Move From Boston to Hartford". Playground Daily News. UPI. February 24, 1974.
  4. ^ "Middletown Journal Newspaper Archives, Apr 6, 1974, p. 11". April 6, 1974.
  5. ^ "Star News Newspaper Archives, Apr 7, 1974, p. 17". April 7, 1974.
  6. ^ "Bucks County Courier Times Archives, Apr 7, 1974, p. 84". April 7, 1974.
  7. ^ "Greenfield Recorder Newspaper Archives, Apr 8, 1974, p. 14". April 8, 1974.
  8. ^ "Nashua Telegraph Newspaper Archives, Apr 11, 1974, p. 20". April 11, 1974.
  9. ^ "Freeport Journal Standard Archives, Apr 17, 1974, p. 15". April 17, 1974.
  10. ^ "1974 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: CHC vs. NEW". Hockey Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  11. ^ "1974 WHA East Division Semi-Finals: CLC vs. TRT". Hockey Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  12. ^ "1974 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: HSA vs. WNJ". Hockey Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "Game Results".
  14. ^ "Frank Blum Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Title".
  15. ^ "WHA Players".
  16. ^ "1974 WHA West Division Semi-Finals: EDO vs. MFS". Hockey Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "The History of the Toronto Toros Hockey Team".
  18. ^ "1974 WHA East Division Finals: CHC vs. TRT". Hockey Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "1974 WHA West Division Finals: HSA vs. MFS".
  20. ^ "Aeros Deadlock Series". Joplin Globe. Associated Press. April 21, 1974. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  21. ^ "Aeros Even Series, 5-2". UPI. April 21, 1974. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  22. ^ "St Louis Sporting News Archives, Apr 12, 1975, p. 57". April 12, 1975.
  23. ^ "1974 WHA Avco Cup Final: CHC vs. HSA". Hockey Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  24. ^ "W.H.A. Championship". The New York Times. May 9, 1974.
  25. ^ "'Supermarket Series' Set for W.H.A. Finals". The New York Times. May 12, 1974. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  26. ^ "Southern Illinoisan Archives, May 12, 1974, p. 19". May 12, 1974.
  27. ^ Korobanik, John (May 21, 1974). "Aeros ride power-play goals to WHA championship". Brandon Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  28. ^ "Corry Evening Journal Archives, May 20, 1974, p. 8". May 20, 1974.
  29. ^ "Delphos Herald Newspaper Archives, May 20, 1974, p. 5". May 20, 1974.
  30. ^ "1974 WHA Playoffs Skater Statistics".
  31. ^ "1974 WHA Playoffs Goalie Statistics".
[edit]

WHA playoffs

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