1972–73 New England Whalers season

The 1972–73 New England Whalers season was the Whalers' first season (based in Boston). The Whalers were competitive from the start, placing first in the Eastern Division to qualify for the playoffs. They then won three playoff series to become the first winner of the Avco World Trophy.[1][2]

1972–73 New England Whalers
Avco Cup champions
Division1st East
1972–73 record46–30–2
Home record30–8–1
Road record16–22–1
Goals for318
Goals against263
Team information
General managerJack Kelley
CoachJack Kelley
CaptainTed Green
Alternate captainsTommy Williams
Jim Dorey
Larry Pleau
ArenaBoston Arena (20 games)
Boston Garden (19 games)
Average attendance6,981 (67.2%)
Team leaders
GoalsTom Webster (53)
AssistsTerry Caffery (61)
PointsTom Webster (103)
Penalty minutesBrad Selwood (114)
WinsAl Smith (31)
Goals against averageAl Smith (3.17)

Offseason

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Regular season

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Final standings

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Eastern Division
GPWLTGFGAPIMPts
New England Whalers784630231826385894
Cleveland Crusaders7843323287239109589
Philadelphia Blazers7838400288305126076
Ottawa Nationals7835394279301106774
Quebec Nordiques7833405276313135471
New York Raiders783343230333490068

Schedule and results

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1972–73 game log

Playoffs

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QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinals
         
E1New England Whalers4
E4Ottawa Nationals1
E1New England Whalers4
Eastern Division
E2Cleveland Crusaders1
E2Cleveland Crusaders4
E3Philadelphia Blazers0
E1New England Whalers4
W1Winnipeg Jets1
W1Winnipeg Jets4
W4Minnesota Fighting Saints1
W1Winnipeg Jets4
Western Division
W2Houston Aeros0
W2Houston Aeros4
W3Los Angeles Sharks2

Eastern Division Semifinal vs. Ottawa Nationals

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#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 7Ottawa Nationals3–6New England Whalers1–0
2April 8Ottawa Nationals3 – 4 OTNew England Whalers2–0
3April 10New England Whalers2–4Ottawa Nationals2–1
4April 12New England Whalers7 – 3 OTOttawa Nationals3–1
5April 14Ottawa Nationals4–5New England Whalers4–1

Eastern Division Final vs. Cleveland Crusaders

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#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 18Cleveland Crusaders2–3New England Whalers1–0
2April 19Cleveland Crusaders2–3New England Whalers2–0
3April 21New England Whalers5–4Cleveland Crusaders3–0
4April 22New England Whalers2–5Cleveland Crusaders3–1
5April 26Cleveland Crusaders1–3New England Whalers4–1

Avco World Trophy Finals vs. Winnipeg Jets

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#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 29Winnipeg Jets2–7New England Whalers1–0
2May 2New England Whalers7–4Winnipeg Jets2–0
3May 3New England Whalers3–4Winnipeg Jets2–1
4May 5Winnipeg Jets2–4New England Whalers3–1
5May 6Winnipeg Jets6–9New England Whalers4–1

Player statistics

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Awards and records

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Transactions

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Draft picks

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Farm teams

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ World Hockey Association (1972). WHA 1972-73 Media Guide. World Hockey Association.
  2. ^ World Hockey Association (1973). WHA 1973-74 Media Guide. World Hockey Association.
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