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1979 WHA playoffs

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1979 WHA playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 21 – May 20, 1979
Season1978–79
Teams5
Final positions
ChampionsWinnipeg Jets (3rd title)
Runner-upEdmonton Oilers
Semifinalists
← 1978

The 1979 WHA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the World Hockey Association's 1978–79 season. The seventh and final tournament concluded with five of the surviving six teams competing for the Avco World Trophy.

Among the notable events, phenom Wayne Gretzky made his first playoff appearance as a pro player as the Edmonton Oilers raced all the way to Avco Cup Final. Winnipeg lost the entire "Hot Line" of Bobby Hull (who played four games before retiring), Anders Hedberg & Ulf Nilsson (who each left for the NHL), which had scored 146 combined goals the previous season and even replaced their Avco Cup champion coach (Larry Hillman) after 61 games for Tom McVie. They were bolstered by the acquisition of several players from the liquidated Houston Aeros such as Rich Preston, Morris Lukowich, and Terry Ruskowski. Gary Smith was a late addition to the team, having gone from going winless in eleven starts with the extinct Indianapolis Racers to playing 11 games to end the season for the Jets on his way to being tabbed as the goaltender for their playoff run.[1] The New England Whalers, still without the services of the Hartford Civic Center, played their last games as "New England" at the Springfield Civic Center while the Cincinnati Stingers played their last games as a franchise.

The Jets completed their WHA dynasty with their third championship in four seasons, doing so over the Edmonton Oilers in the Avco Cup Final. Wayne Gretzky led the playoffs in points with 20 on the strength of ten goals, which was only matched by Willy Lindström of the Jets, who had ten goals in ten games. In Game 5, Ron Chipperfield scored five goals to set the new WHA record for goals scored in a postseason game as the Oilers forced a Game 6 with a 10-2 victory.[2][3] In Game 6, the Jets scored five goals in the first two periods and dominated their way to a 7-3 win on home ice to complete the WHA. Dave Semenko of the Oilers scored the final goal in WHA history, doing so with twelve seconds left in the third period.[4][5][6]

Rich Preston of the Jets was the final person awarded the WHA Playoff MVP.

Playoff seeds

[edit]
  1. Edmonton Oilers – 98 points
  2. Quebec Nordiques – 87 points
  3. Winnipeg Jets – 84 points
  4. New England Whalers – 83 points
  5. Cincinnati Stingers – 72 points

Bracket

[edit]
Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Edmonton Oilers 4
4 New England Whalers 3
4 New England Whalers 2
5 Cincinnati Stingers 1
1 Edmonton Oilers 2
3 Winnipeg Jets 4
2 Quebec Nordiques 0
3 Winnipeg Jets 4

Quarterfinals

[edit]
April 21Cincinnati Stingers3–5
(1–0, 0-2, 2–3)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Mike LiutGoaliesJohn Garrett
Michel Parizeau
Byron Shutt
Jamie Hislop		GoalsMark Howe
Blaine Stoughton
André Lacroix
Mike Rogers
26Shots39
April 22New England Whalers3–6
(0–3, 1–2, 2–1)		Cincinnati StingersRiverfront Coliseum
John Garrett / Al SmithGoaliesMike Liut
Mike Rogers
Gordie Howe
Mike Antonovich		GoalsRobbie Ftorek (3)
Reg Thomas
Peter Marsh
Bill Gilligan
32Shots28
April 24Cincinnati Stingers1–2
(1–1, 0–1, 0–0)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Mike LiutGoaliesAl Smith
Jamie HislopGoalsJohn McKenzie
Blaine Stoughton
33Shots34

Semifinals

[edit]

(2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (3) Quebec Nordiques

[edit]
April 23Winnipeg Jets6–3
(1–1, 5-1, 0–1)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Gary SmithGoaliesRichard Brodeur / Jim Corsi
Bobby Guindon (2)
Lyle Moffat
Rich Preston
Morris Lukowich
Willy Lindström		GoalsMarc Tardif (2)
Bob Fitchner
30Shots31
April 25Winnipeg Jets9–2
(3–0, 3–1, 3–1)		Quebec NordiquesColisée de Québec
Gary Smith / DaleyGoaliesJim Corsi / Richard Brodeur
Willy Lindström (2)
Rich Preston
Steve West
Lars-Erik Sjöberg
Morris Lukowich
Paul MacKinnon
Glenn Hicks
Peter Sullivan		GoalsMarc Tardif (2)
32Shots23
April 27Quebec Nordiques5–9
(1–2, 3–2, 1–5)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Jean-Louis LevasseurGoaliesGary Smith
Réal Cloutier
Curt Brackenbury
Danny Geoffrion
Paulin Bordeleau
Marc Tardif		GoalsRich Preston (2)
Peter Sullivan (2)
Steve West
Paul Terbenche
Roland Eriksson
Morris Lukowich
Willy Lindström
30Shots39
April 29Quebec Nordiques2–6
(1–1, 0–3, 1–2)		Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena
Richard BrodeurGoaliesGary Smith
Willy Lindström (2)
Morris Lukowich
Terry Ruskowski
Peter Sullivan
Kent Nilsson		GoalsMarc Tardif
Réal Cloutier
14Shots50

(1) Edmonton Oilers vs. (4) New England Whalers

[edit]
April 26New England Whalers2–6
(1–0, 0-3, 1-3)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Al SmithGoaliesDave Dryden
Gordie Howe
Larry Pleau		GoalsBlair MacDonald (3)
Jack Carlson
Dennis Sobchuk
Stan Weir
21Shots29
April 27New England Whalers5–9
(2–4, 1–2, 2–3)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
Al Smith / John GarrettGoaliesDave Dryden
Mike Antonovich
Gordie Howe
Al Hangsleben
Mark Howe
Larry Pleau		GoalsBrett Callighen (3)
Dave Semenko (2)
Wayne Gretzky
Bill Flett
Blair MacDonald
Al Hamilton
27Shots39(
April 29Edmonton Oilers1–4
(1–2, 0–0, 0–2)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Dave DrydenGoaliesJohn Garrett
Wayne GretzkyGoalsGeorge Lyle (2)
Mark Howe
Dave Keon
23Shots17
May 1Edmonton Oilers4–5
(1–0, 1–4, 2–1)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Dave DrydenGoaliesJohn Garrett
Wayne Gretzky
Ron Chipperfield
Bill Flett
Blair MacDonald		GoalsJordy Douglas (2)
George Lyle
André Lacroix
John McKenzie
27Shots30
May 3New England Whalers2–5
(0–2, 0–1, 2–2)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
John GarrettGoaliesDave Dryden
John McKenzie
Jordy Douglas		GoalsWayne Gretzky (3)
Dave Hunter
Paul Shmyr
21Shots30
May 5Edmonton Oilers4–8
(0–4, 2–2, 2–2)		New England WhalersSpringfield Civic Center
Dave Dryden / Eddie MioGoaliesJohn Garrett
Al Hamilton
Dennis Sobchuk
Blair MacDonald
Dave Semenko		GoalsDave Keon (2)
Mike Antonovich (2)
Ron Plumb
Jordy Douglas
Blaine Stoughton
André Lacroix
32Shots35
May 8New England Whalers3–6
(1–2, 0–4, 2–0)		Edmonton OilersEdmonton Coliseum
John GarrettGoaliesDave Dryden
André Lacroix
Blaine Stoughton
Mike Antonovich		GoalsWayne Gretzky (2)
Blair MacDonald
Dennis Sobchuk
Ron Chipperfield
Bill Flett
25Shots29

Avco Cup Final

[edit]

10,195 people saw the final WHA game when the Jets won the Avco Cup in Game 6 on May 20, 1979.[7]

May 11 Winnipeg Jets 3–1 Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Coliseum  
3:29 - Rich Preston (Sullivan)
15:23 - Bill Lesuk (Eriksson, Moffat) 		First period 17:48 - Bill Flett (Shmyr)
No scoring Second period No scoring
16:24 - Rich Preston (Nilsson) Third period No scoring
Gary Smith 23 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Dave Dryden 25 saves / 28 shots
May 13 Winnipeg Jets 3–2 Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Coliseum  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 6:12 - Dennis Sobchuk (Driscoll)
1:17 - Sullivan (Terbenche)
11:53 - Morris Lukowich (Campbell, Ruskowski)
15:24 - Willy Lindström (Long, Lukowich) 		Third period 4:10 - Al Hamilton
Gary Smith 19 saves / 21 shots Goalie stats Dave Dryden 24 saves / 27 shots
May 15 Edmonton Oilers 8–3 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
9:03 - Al Hamilton (Gretzky)
9:44 Peter Driscoll (Goldsworthy)
12:45 - Ron Chipperfield (Shymr, Driscoll)
16:01 - Bill Goldsworthy (Hamilton, Chipperfield) 		First period 4:54 - Morris Lukowich (Ruskowski, Nilsson)
15:53 - Willy Lindström
No scoring Second period 11:56 - Morris Lukowich (MacKinnon, Eriksson)
1:42 - Blair MacDonald (Risto Siltanen)
4:14 - Brett Callighen (MacDonald, Gretzky)
9:52 - Bengt Gustafsson (Hunter, Weir)
11:00 - Dave Hunter (Gustafsson, Hamilton) 		Third period No scoring
Dave Dryden 23 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Gary Smith / Joe Daley 19 saves / 27 shots
May 16 Edmonton Oilers 2–3 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
7:41 - Wayne Gretzky (MacDonald, Callighen) First period 12:54 - Rich Preston (Sullivan)
13:42 - Brett Callighen (Gretzky, Gustafsson) Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 9:24 - Morris Lukowich (Nilsson, Lindström)
13:34 - Lyle Moffat (Lesuk, Eriksson)
Dave Dryden 25 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Gary Smith 19 saves / 22 shots
May 18 Winnipeg Jets 2–10 Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Coliseum  
No scoring First period 4:23 - Dennis Sobchuk (Chipperfield, Shmyr)
16:28 - Wayne Gretzky (Callighen, Chipperfield)
17:29 - Stan Weir (Micheletti, Sobchuk)
18:01 - Ron Chipperfield (Dave Langevin)
0:22 - Rich Preston (Lukowich, Nilsson) Second period 2:58 - Dennis Sobchuk (Shmyr, Weir)
4:51 - Ron Chipperfield (Siltanen, Micheletti)
10:45 - Ron Chipperfield (Driscoll, Semenko)
14:23 - John Hughes (Sobchuk)
3:14 - Kent Nilsson Third period 7:45 - Ron Chipperfield (Semenko)
14:31 - Ron Chipperfield (Micheletti, Siltanen)
Gary Smith / Joe Daley 32 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Dave Dryden / Eddie Mio 19 saves / 21 shots
May 20 Edmonton Oilers 3–7 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena  
No scoring First period 2:14 - Willy Lindström (Ruskowski, Lukowich)
13:42 - Barry Long (Ruskowski, Lukowich)
18:45 - Ron Chipperfield (Driscoll, Siltanen) Second period 5:22 - Paul MacKinnon (Sullivan, Hicks)
6:35 - Lyle Moffat (Eriksson, Lukowich)
9:23 - Barry Long (Ruskowski, MacKinnon)
1:48 - Bill Flett (Hamilton)
19:48 - Dave Semenko (Chipperfield, Siltanen) 		Third period 2:09 - Kent Nilsson (Sullivan)
13:38 - Willy Lindström (Ruskowski)
Dave Dryden / Eddie Mio 27 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Gary Smith 27 saves / 30 shots
Winnipeg won series 4–2


Player statistics

[edit]

These were the top ten skaters based on points.[8]

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 13 10 10 20 6 2
Ron Chipperfield Edmonton Oilers 13 9 10 19 1 8
Blair MacDonald Edmonton Oilers 13 8 10 18 1 6
Brett Callighen Edmonton Oilers 13 5 10 15 5 15
Willy Lindström Winnipeg Jets 10 10 5 15 7 9
Morris Lukowich Winnipeg Jets 10 8 7 15 9 21
Kent Nilsson Winnipeg Jets 10 3 11 14 -1 4
Peter Sullivan Winnipeg Jets 10 5 9 14 2 2
Rich Preston Winnipeg Jets 10 8 5 13 3 15
Terry Ruskowski Winnipeg Jets 8 1 12 13 10 23

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ates, Murat (June 7, 2019). "Foundations of a championship: The unique story of how the '79 Avco Cup-winning Jets came to be". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  2. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 377. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  3. ^ "The Complete World Hockey Association - 1972-73 Playoff Results".
  4. ^ Matheson, Jim (May 21, 1979). "Jets beat Oilers to win final WHA Avco Cup title". Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Surgent, Scott (1990). The Complete World Hockey Association 11th Edition. Surgent. p. 374-375, 387. ISBN 978-1727753424.
  6. ^ "The Complete World Hockey Association - 1978-79 Playoff Results".
  7. ^ "Jets Win Final W.H.A. Series". The New York Times. May 22, 1979.
  8. ^ "1979 WHA Playoffs Skater Statistics".
[edit]

Playoffs

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