1978 WHA Avco Cup Championship
Winnipeg Jets defeat Edmonton Oilers in six games for third Avco Cup.
The 1978–79 WHA season was the seventh and final season of the World Hockey Association. The Edmonton Oilers finished first overall in the regular season but lost the Avco World Trophy finals to the Winnipeg Jets in six games.
- Year
- 1979
- League
- World Hockey Association (WHA)
- Trophy
- Avco Cup
- Opponent
- Winnipeg Jets
- Series Result
- Lost 4-2
- Key Figure
- Al MacNeil (Head Coach)
Lore & Background
The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the Avco World Trophy finals, winning their third championship overall and second in a row. The last goal in WHA history was scored by Peter Marsh of the Winnipeg Jets.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Northlands Coliseum was thick with anticipation and the smell of fresh ice. As the final horn sounded on Game 6, a roar erupted from the stands that seemed to shake the very foundations of the arena. Players in blue and orange jerseys collapsed onto the ice, not just celebrating a win, but validating their existence as champions.
Reader's Guide
The top five teams qualified for the playoffs. The fourth- and fifth-place teams played a best-of-three quarterfinal; the top three received byes into the best-of-seven semifinals. The first-place team played the quarterfinal winner, while second played third. The finals were best-of-seven.
Did You Know?
- The Oilers played an exhibition game against the Finnish national team that was counted as a regular-season game to balance the schedule after the league folded; the Oilers won 8–4.
- Wayne Gretzky was sold by Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania to Oilers owner Peter Pocklington eight games into the season.
- The WHA All-Stars played three games against Dynamo Moscow; Gordie Howe, Mark Howe, and Wayne Gretzky formed a line that scored seven points in the first game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Edmonton Oilers secure the 1978 WHA Avco Cup Championship?
No, the franchise never won an Avco Cup title during their World Hockey Association tenure. They actually reached the finals in 1979 but were defeated by the Winnipeg Jets in that series.
Who did the Oilers face when they missed out on a WHA championship?
The team played against their fierce rivals, the Winnipeg Jets, in the decisive finals of the league. Edmonton lost this intense matchup four games to two under head coach Al MacNeil.
Why is the 1979 WHA Finals considered significant for Oilers history?
This era marked the franchise's transition from expansion hopefuls into future NHL contenders. The resilience built during these losses laid the groundwork for their subsequent Stanley Cup dynasty.
Did Wayne Gretzky win an Avco Cup with Edmonton before joining the NHL?
Although a young Wayne Gretzky led the roster, he did not capture an Avco Cup while playing in the WHA. Mark Messier also joined the team only after they entered the National Hockey League in 1979.
How does this period relate to the Oilers' first Stanley Cup victory?
The rivalry and experiences forged during these WHA years paved the way for their championship success in 1984. It transformed the group into a powerhouse that would dominate the league throughout the eighties.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in the Edmonton Oilers universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record