The 1977–78 Houston Aeros season was the Houston Aeros ' 6th and final season in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Aeros finished 3rd in the league and lost in the Quarter-finals to the Quebec Nordiques 4 games to 2.
Off-season [ ]
The Aeros jerseys were the same design as in the 1973-74 season .
Regular Season [ ]
Final Standings [ ]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties in Minutes
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Game Log [ ]
Regular Season Results
No.
R
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
1
L
October 12, 1977
0–3
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
0–1–0
2
L
October 14, 1977
3–5
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
0–2–0
3
W
October 15, 1977
5–1
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
1–2–0
4
W
October 21, 1977
6–5
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
2–2–0
7
L
October 30, 1977
4–5
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
3–4–0
13
W
November 11, 1977
5–3
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
5–8–0
14
W
November 18, 1977
6–5
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
6–8–0
15
L
November 19, 1977
3–4
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
6–9–0
16
W
November 23, 1977
3–0
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
7–9–0
17
W
November 25, 1977
3–1
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
8–9–0
18
T
November 30, 1977
3–3
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
8–9–1
19
L
December 2, 1977
2–4
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
8–10–1
20
W
December 4, 1977
3–2
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
9–10–1
21
L
December 6, 1977
3–4 OT
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
9–11–1
22
L
December 7, 1977
2–5
@ Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
9–12–1
23
W
December 9, 1977
5–3
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
10–12–1
24
W
December 11, 1977
4–2
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
11–12–1
25
L
December 13, 1977
3–5
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
11–13–1
26
T
December 15, 1977
3–3
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
11–13–2
27
W
December 18, 1977
3–2
Czechoslovakia (1977–78 )
12–13–2
28
W
December 20, 1977
6–4
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
13–13–2
29
L
December 21, 1977
3–4
Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
13–14–2
30
L
December 23, 1977
2–6
Soviet All-Stars (1977–78 )
13–15–2
31
W
December 29, 1977
7–1
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
14–15–2
32
T
December 30, 1977
5–5
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
14–15–3
33
W
January 1, 1978
2–1
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
15–15–3
34
L
January 4, 1978
3–5
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
15–16–3
35
L
January 6, 1978
4–6
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
15–17–3
36
L
January 7, 1978
1–2 OT
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
15–18–3
37
L
January 8, 1978
2–4
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
15–19–3
38
W
January 13, 1978
3–2
Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
16–19–3
39
W
January 14, 1978
5–4 OT
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
17–19–3
40
W
January 20, 1978
4–3
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
18–19–3
41
W
January 21, 1978
5–2
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
19–19–3
42
W
January 22, 1978
4–2
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
20–19–3
43
W
January 24, 1978
6–5
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
21–19–3
44
W
January 26, 1978
2–1 OT
Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
22–19–3
45
L
January 28, 1978
0–3
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
22–20–3
46
W
January 29, 1978
6–4
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
23–20–3
47
W
January 31, 1978
4–2
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
24–20–3
48
L
February 3, 1978
0–1
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
24–21–3
49
W
February 4, 1978
5–4
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
25–21–3
50
W
February 9, 1978
2–1
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
26–21–3
51
W
February 11, 1978
8–4
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
27–21–3
52
L
February 12, 1978
5–6
Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
27–22–3
53
W
February 15, 1978
5–2
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
28–22–3
54
L
February 16, 1978
2–5
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
28–23–3
55
L
February 17, 1978
3–4 OT
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
28–24–3
56
W
February 18, 1978
3–2
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
29–24–3
57
W
February 22, 1978
6–5
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
30–24–3
58
L
February 24, 1978
4–5 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
30–25–3
59
L
February 26, 1978
6–9
@ Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
30–26–3
60
L
February 28, 1978
2–5
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
30–27–3
61
L
March 1, 1978
1–5
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
30–28–3
62
W
March 3, 1978
3–2 OT
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
31–28–3
63
T
March 4, 1978
3–3
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
31–28–4
64
W
March 5, 1978
4–3
@ Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
32–28–4
65
W
March 7, 1978
4–3
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
33–28–4
66
W
March 9, 1978
6–4
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
34–28–4
67
L
March 11, 1978
2–4
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
34–29–4
68
W
March 12, 1978
6–3
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
35–29–4
69
L
March 17, 1978
2–3
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
35–30–4
70
L
March 22, 1978
2–9
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
35–31–4
71
W
March 24, 1978
1–0
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
36–31–4
72
W
March 25, 1978
4–3 OT
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
37–31–4
73
W
March 28, 1978
5–3
Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
38–31–4
74
W
March 30, 1978
5–1
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
39–31–4
75
L
April 2, 1978
1–7
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
39–32–4
76
L
April 3, 1978
6–8
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
39–33–4
77
W
April 4, 1978
6–3
Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
40–33–4
78
L
April 7, 1978
3–5
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
40–34–4
79
W
April 8, 1978
5–4
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
41–34–4
80
W
April 9, 1978
5–4
@ Winnipeg Jets (1977–78 )
42–34–4
[1]
Playoffs [ ]
Quebec Nordiques 4, Houston Aeros 2 [ ]
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
Record
1
April 16
Quebec Nordiques
3–4
Houston Aeros
1–0
2
April 18
Quebec Nordiques
5–4
Houston Aeros
1–1
3
April 20
Houston Aeros
1–5
Quebec Nordiques
1–2
4
April 21
Houston Aeros
0–3
Quebec Nordiques
1–3
5
April 23
Quebec Nordiques
2–5
Houston Aeros
2–3
6
April 25
Houston Aeros
2–11
Quebec Nordiques
2–4
Player Stats [ ]
Regular Season
Scoring
#
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
PPG
SHG
GWG
7
Lacroix, Andre Andre Lacroix
C
78
36
77
113
57
8
7
0
0
12
Lukowich, Morris Morris Lukowich
LW
80
40
35
75
131
13
13
0
0
8
Ruskowski, Terry Terry Ruskowski
C
78
15
57
72
170
13
3
1
0
18
Tonelli, John John Tonelli
LW
65
23
41
64
103
13
5
0
0
27
Larway, Don Don Larway
RW
69
24
35
59
52
1
5
0
0
10
Gray, John John Gray
RW
77
35
23
58
80
15
6
0
0
21
Preston, Rich Rich Preston
RW
73
25
25
50
52
3
7
3
0
15
Connor, Cam Cam Connor
RW
68
21
16
37
217
4
0
0
0
4
Campbell, Scott Scott Campbell
D
75
8
29
37
116
10
1
0
0
6
Popiel, Poul Poul Popiel
D
80
6
31
37
53
-6
1
1
0
19
West, Steve Steve West
C
71
11
21
32
23
4
0
0
0
2
Schella, John John Schella
D
63
9
20
29
125
-2
4
0
0
20
Hughes, John John Hughes
D
79
3
25
28
130
20
1
0
0
13
Lund, Larry Larry Lund
C
76
9
17
26
36
-22
1
0
0
5
McLeod, Al Al McLeod
D
80
2
22
24
54
18
0
0
0
26
Hansis, Ron Ron Hansis
RW
78
13
9
22
51
0
1
0
0
14
Taylor, Ted Ted Taylor
LW
54
11
11
22
46
8
1
1
0
17
Hale, Larry Larry Hale
D
56
2
11
13
22
4
0
0
0
16
Hughes, Frank Frank Hughes
LW
11
3
2
5
2
-10
0
0
0
31
Wakely, Ernie Ernie Wakely
G
51
0
4
4
2
0
0
0
0
Mortson, Cleland Cleland Mortson
RW
6
0
1
1
7
-1
0
0
0
Mazur, John John Mazur
LW
1
0
0
0
0
-1
0
0
0
24
Irwin, Glen Glen Irwin
D
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
30
Rutledge, Wayne Wayne Rutledge
G
12
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
Zimmerman, Lynn Lynn Zimmerman
G
20
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
T
GA
GAA
SO
Wakely, Ernie Ernie Wakely
3070
51
28
18
4
166
3.24
2
Zimmerman, Lynn Lynn Zimmerman
1166
20
10
9
0
84
4.32
0
Rutledge, Wayne Wayne Rutledge
634
12
4
7
0
47
4.45
0
Team:
4870
80
42
34
4
297
3.66
2
Playoffs
Scoring
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
Taylor, Ted Ted Taylor
LW
6
3
1
4
10
0
0
1
Lacroix, Andre Andre Lacroix
C
6
2
2
4
0
0
0
0
Tonelli, John John Tonelli
LW
6
1
3
4
8
0
0
0
Larway, Don Don Larway
RW
6
1
2
3
4
0
0
0
Lukowich, Morris Morris Lukowich
LW
6
1
2
3
17
0
0
0
Gray, John John Gray
RW
6
0
3
3
10
0
0
0
Campbell, Scott Scott Campbell
D
6
1
1
2
8
0
0
1
Hansis, Ron Ron Hansis
RW
6
1
1
2
4
0
0
0
Hughes, John John Hughes
D
6
1
1
2
6
0
0
0
Ruskowski, Terry Terry Ruskowski
C
4
1
1
2
5
0
0
0
Terbenche, Paul Paul Terbenche
D
6
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
Lund, Larry Larry Lund
C
6
0
2
2
2
0
0
0
Popiel, Poul Poul Popiel
D
6
0
2
2
13
0
0
0
Connor, Cam Cam Connor
RW
2
1
0
1
22
0
0
0
McLeod, Al Al McLeod
D
6
1
0
1
2
0
0
0
West, Steve Steve West
C
6
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Mortson, Cleland Cleland Mortson
RW
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Schella, John John Schella
D
6
0
1
1
33
0
0
0
Rutledge, Wayne Wayne Rutledge
G
3
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
Zimmerman, Lynn Lynn Zimmerman
G
4
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
GA
GAA
SO
Rutledge, Wayne Wayne Rutledge
239
3
1
2
21
5.27
0
Zimmerman, Lynn Lynn Zimmerman
131
4
1
2
8
3.66
0
Team:
370
6
2
4
29
4.70
0
[2]
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts
Awards and Records [ ]
Transactions [ ]
Draft Picks [ ]
Houston's draft picks at the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft .[3]
Round
#
Player
Nationality
College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1
1
Scott Campbell (D)
Canada
London Knights (OHA)
1
10
Dwight Foster (F)
Canada
Kitchener Rangers (OHA)
2
21
Dave Semenko (LW)
Canada
Brandon Wheat Kings (WCHL)
3
30
Glen Hanlon (G)
Canada
Brandon Wheat Kings (WCHL)
4
39
Reg Kerr (D)
Canada
Kamloops Chiefs (WCHL)
5
48
Kevin McCarthy (D)
Canada
Winnipeg Monarchs (WCHL)
6
57
Markus Mattsson (G)
Finland
Ilves (Liiga)
7
66
Harald Luckner (F)
Sweden
Farjestads BK (Elitserien)
8
74
Matti Forss (F)
Finland
Lukko Rauma (Liiga)
9
82
Mike Dwyer (LW)
Canada
Niagara Falls Flyers (OHA)
10
90
Dave Parro (G)
Canada
Saskatoon Blades (WCHL)
Farm Teams [ ]
Video [ ]
Whalers-Aeros game from March 9, 1978.
WHA- New England Whalers vs. Houston Aeros – March 9, 1978
Jets-Aeros game from April 4, 1978.
WHA Houston Aeros - Winnipeg Jets 78-79
Nordiques-Aeros Quarter-finals Game 5, April 23, 1978.
WHA- Houston Aeros vs. Quebec Nordiques, Game 5, 1978 Quarterfinals
See Also [ ]
References [ ]