1978 WHA Avco Cup Championship
The final WHA championship: Winnipeg Jets defeat Edmonton Oilers in six games.
The 1979 Avco Cup finals were the championship series of the 1978–79 WHA season, the final season of the World Hockey Association.
Quick Facts
- 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 six games to win their third championship overall and second in a row. Oilers player Dave Semenko scored late in the third period of the deciding game to record the last goal in the history of the WHA. The goal was given up by the Winnipeg Jets' Gary Smith.
Reader's Guide
The top five teams in the league qualified for the playoffs. The fourth- and fifth-place teams started in a best-of-three quarterfinal series, while the top three finishers received byes into the semifinals. In the semifinals, the first-place team played the 4th/5th winner, while second place played third place. Both semifinal series were best-of-seven. The finals were a best-of-seven.
Did You Know?
- Wayne Gretzky won the Lou Kaplan Trophy for rookie of the year and finished third in league scoring.
- Four WHA teams—Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, and New England Whalers—were admitted to the NHL for the 1979–80 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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