The 1972–73 Ottawa Nationals

Ottawa Nationals

The Ottawa Nationals were a professional men's ice hockey team based out of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada that played in the World Hockey Association during the 1972–73 WHA season....

 season was the Nationals' only season, as they were one of the original teams in the newly created WHA

World Hockey Association

The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...

. The Nationals played most of the season in Ottawa, but transferred their playoff games to Toronto

Toronto

Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

. Due to low attendance in Ottawa, an arena lease dispute and much better attendance in their two playoff games in Toronto, where they averaged over 5000 fans per game, the Nationals relocated to Toronto permanently beginning in the next season, and the club was renamed the Toronto Toros

Toronto Toros

The Toronto Toros were an ice hockey team based in Toronto that played in the World Hockey Association from 1973 to 1976.The franchise was awarded to Doug Michel in 1971 to play in the WHA's inaugural 1972–73 season...

.

Offseason

The Nationals were originally owned by Doug Michel, with rumours he would place the team in either Hamilton

Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...

 or Toronto, however, and he placed the club in Ottawa. After the team was placed to play in Ottawa, Nick Trbovich became the majority owner, with Michel running hockey operations. The club was placed in the six team Eastern Division, with the top four clubs earning a playoff berth.

The Nationals hired former Toronto Maple Leaf

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 Billy Harris to coach the team. Ottawa's most significant signing was Wayne Carleton

Wayne Carleton

Kenneth Wayne "Swoop" Carleton is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Carleton started his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would also play with the Boston Bruins and California Golden Seals. His career would last from 1966 to 1972...

, who had previously played with the Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 and California Golden Seals

California Golden Seals

The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...

 in the NHL

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...

.

Regular season

The first game in WHA history was a match between the Nationals and the Alberta Oilers at the Civic Centre, which Alberta won 7-4, on October 11, 1972. Ottawa recorded their first victory in their fourth game, a 6-2 decision over the Chicago Cougars

Chicago Cougars

The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...

. The Nationals reached a season high two games over .500 with a 12-10-1 record, before falling into a long slump in which the club won only seven games in their next 31, and dropped into last place in the Eastern Division. Ottawa would play very good hockey down the stretch, winning two-thirds of its remaining games, and finished the season at 35-39-4, earning 74 points and the fourth and final playoff position.

Attendance was an issue for the club, as they drew an average of just over 3000 fans per game, competing against the very popular Ottawa 67's

Ottawa 67's

The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...

 OHA

Ontario Hockey Association

The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...

 team.

Offensively, Ottawa was led by Carleton, who scored a team high 42 goals and 49 assists for 91 points, which ranked him tenth in league scoring. Twenty year old Gavin Kirk

Gavin Kirk

Gavin Kirk is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 422 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, Calgary Cowboys, Birmingham Bulls, and Edmonton Oilers....

 earned 68 points in 78 games, while Bob Charlebois

Bob Charlebois

Robert Richard Charlebois is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 7 games in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars. He would also play 188 games in the World Hockey Association with the New England Whalers and Ottawa Nationals.-External links:...

 earned 64 points. Brian Gibbons

Brian Gibbons (ice hockey)

Brian Gibbons is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played in 226 games in the World Hockey Association.-External links:...

 had 42 points to lead the team's defencemen, while Rick Cunningham

Rick Cunningham (ice hockey)

Richard Glen Cunningham is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 323 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, and Birmingham Bulls.- References :...

 had a team high 121 penalty minutes.

In goal, Gilles Gratton

Gilles Gratton

Gilles Gratton is a retired ice hockey goaltender.Gratton began his WHA career in 1972 with the Ottawa Nationals. Gilles would also spend time with the Toronto Toros. His brother, Norm Gratton was a professional NHL player as well...

 had the majority of playing time, winning 25 games and posting a 3.71 GAA. Veteran Les Binkley

Les Binkley

Leslie John Binkley is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Binkley played goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the World Hockey Association for the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros...

 backed him up, earning 10 wins and a GAA of 3.72.

Game log

Regular season schedule
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Record	Pts
1	October 11	Alberta Oilers	7–4	Ottawa Nationals	0–1–0	0
2	October 14	Ottawa Nationals	6–8	New York Raiders	0–2–0	0
3	October 15	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	7–5	Ottawa Nationals	0–3–0	0
4	October 19	Chicago Cougars Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...	2–6	Ottawa Nationals	1–3–0	2
5	October 21	Ottawa Nationals	5–3	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	2–3–0	4
6	October 22	Ottawa Nationals	3–2	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	3–3–0	6
7	October 25	Ottawa Nationals	8–5	Los Angeles Sharks Los Angeles Sharks The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1974. Their primary home arena was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but they sometimes played at the Long Beach Sports Arena when the Sports Arena had other contractual obligations...	4–3–0	8
8	October 26	Ottawa Nationals	3–7	Houston Aeros Houston Aeros The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...	4–4–0	8
9	October 28	Ottawa Nationals	5–3	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	5–4–0	10
10	November 2	Los Angeles Sharks Los Angeles Sharks The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1974. Their primary home arena was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but they sometimes played at the Long Beach Sports Arena when the Sports Arena had other contractual obligations...	1–1	Ottawa Nationals	5–4–1	11
11	November 5	Ottawa Nationals	5–3	Alberta Oilers	6–4–1	13
12	November 9	Winnipeg Jets	4–1	Ottawa Nationals	6–5–1	13
13	November 12	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	1–2	Ottawa Nationals	7–5–1	15
14	November 16	Ottawa Nationals	3–6	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	7–6–1	15
15	November 18	Ottawa Nationals	2–3	New England Whalers	7–7–1	15
16	November 20	Ottawa Nationals	5–7	New England Whalers	7–8–1	15
17	November 21	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	2–4	Ottawa Nationals	8–8–1	17
18	November 23	Chicago Cougars Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...	8–1	Ottawa Nationals	8–9–1	17
19	November 26	Alberta Oilers	2–1	Ottawa Nationals	8–10–1	17
20	November 28	Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...	2–3	Ottawa Nationals	9–10–1	19
21	November 30	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	2–3	Ottawa Nationals	10–10–1	21
22	December 1	Ottawa Nationals	4–3	Winnipeg Jets	11–10–1	23
23	December 3	Houston Aeros Houston Aeros The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...	4–5	Ottawa Nationals	12–10–1	25
24	December 4	Ottawa Nationals	2–7	New England Whalers	12–11–1	25
25	December 7	New England Whalers	4–2	Ottawa Nationals	12–12–1	25
26	December 9	Ottawa Nationals	1–7	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	12–13–1	25
27	December 10	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	6–7	Ottawa Nationals	13–13–1	27
28	December 14	New York Raiders	4–3	Ottawa Nationals	13–14–1	27
29	December 15	Ottawa Nationals	4–3	Alberta Oilers	14–14–1	29
30	December 17	Ottawa Nationals	1–3	Alberta Oilers	14–15–1	29
31	December 19	Ottawa Nationals	3–7	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	14–16–1	29
32	December 21	Los Angeles Sharks Los Angeles Sharks The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1974. Their primary home arena was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but they sometimes played at the Long Beach Sports Arena when the Sports Arena had other contractual obligations...	4–4	Ottawa Nationals	14–16–2	30
33	December 22	Ottawa Nationals	5–7	New York Raiders	14–17–2	30
34	December 24	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	2–6	Ottawa Nationals	15–17–2	32
35	December 26	Houston Aeros Houston Aeros The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...	3–3	Ottawa Nationals	15–17–3	33
36	December 30	Ottawa Nationals	4–2	Chicago Cougars Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...	16–17–3	35
37	December 31	Ottawa Nationals	4–8	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	16–18–3	35
38	January 4	Ottawa Nationals	4–9	New York Raiders	16–19–3	35
39	January 9	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	5–7	Ottawa Nationals	17–19–3	37
40	January 11	New York Raiders	1–4	Ottawa Nationals	18–19–3	39
41	January 12	Ottawa Nationals	3–4	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	18–20–3	39
42	January 14	Ottawa Nationals	2–3	Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...	18–21–3	39
43	January 16	Ottawa Nationals	4–5	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	18–22–3	39
44	January 18	Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...	3–6	Ottawa Nationals	19–22–3	41
45	January 19	Ottawa Nationals	2–4	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	19–23–3	41
46	January 21	Ottawa Nationals	2–5	Houston Aeros Houston Aeros The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...	19–24–3	41
47	January 23	Ottawa Nationals	3–11	Houston Aeros Houston Aeros The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...	19–25–3	41
48	January 25	New England Whalers	4–2	Ottawa Nationals	19–26–3	41
49	January 26	Ottawa Nationals	2–4	Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...	19–27–3	41
50	January 28	Winnipeg Jets	5–4	Ottawa Nationals	19–28–3	41
51	January 30	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	5–4	Ottawa Nationals	19–29–3	41
52	February 1	Ottawa Nationals	2–2	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	19–29–4	42
53	February 2	Ottawa Nationals	1–4	Chicago Cougars Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...	19–30–4	42
54	February 4	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	3–2	Ottawa Nationals	19–31–4	42
55	February 6	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	3–5	Ottawa Nationals	20–31–4	44
56	February 8	New York Raiders	3–2	Ottawa Nationals	20–32–4	44
57	February 9	Ottawa Nationals	7–4	New England Whalers	21–32–4	46
58	February 11	Ottawa Nationals	2–3	New York Raiders	21–33–4	46
59	February 14	Ottawa Nationals	6–3	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	22–33–4	48
60	February 15	Ottawa Nationals	0–3	Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...	22–34–4	48
61	February 17	Ottawa Nationals	3–1	Chicago Cougars Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...	23–34–4	50
62	February 20	Los Angeles Sharks Los Angeles Sharks The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1974. Their primary home arena was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but they sometimes played at the Long Beach Sports Arena when the Sports Arena had other contractual obligations...	4–2	Ottawa Nationals	23–35–4	50
63	February 22	Philadelphia Blazers Philadelphia Blazers The Philadelphia Blazers were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association for the 1972–73 WHA season that was based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....	6–5	Ottawa Nationals	23–36-4	50
64	February 25	Alberta Oilers	2–3	Ottawa Nationals	24–36–4	52
65	February 27	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	1–2	Ottawa Nationals	25–36–4	54
66	March 1	New York Raiders	1–2	Ottawa Nationals	26–36–4	56
67	March 4	Chicago Cougars Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...	4–6	Ottawa Nationals	27–36–4	58
68	March 6	Winnipeg Jets	2–5	Ottawa Nationals	28–36–4	60
69	March 11	Ottawa Nationals	2–4	Los Angeles Sharks Los Angeles Sharks The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1974. Their primary home arena was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but they sometimes played at the Long Beach Sports Arena when the Sports Arena had other contractual obligations...	28–37–4	60
70	March 13	Ottawa Nationals	3–1	Los Angeles Sharks Los Angeles Sharks The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1974. Their primary home arena was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but they sometimes played at the Long Beach Sports Arena when the Sports Arena had other contractual obligations...	29–37–4	62
71	March 16	Ottawa Nationals	6–1	Winnipeg Jets	30–37–4	64
72	March 18	Ottawa Nationals	4–2	Winnipeg Jets	31–37–4	66
73	March 22	New England Whalers	2–4	Ottawa Nationals	32–37–4	68
74	March 25	Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...	1–6	Ottawa Nationals	33–37–4	70
75	March 27	Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	2–6	Ottawa Nationals	34–37–4	72
76	March 29	New England Whalers	2–5	Ottawa Nationals	35–37–4	74
77	March 31	Ottawa Nationals	2–4	Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	35–38–4	74
78	April 1	Houston Aeros Houston Aeros The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...	6–3	Ottawa Nationals	35–39–4	74

Playoffs

The Nationals would open the playoffs with a best of seven series against the New England Whalers, who had a league high 94 points. The series opened up with two games in New England, and the Whalers took advantage of their home ice, defeating Ottawa 6-3 and 4-3 to take a two game series lead. The series moved to Maple Leaf Gardens

Maple Leaf Gardens

Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...

 in Toronto, as the Nationals ownership decided to move their playoff games from Ottawa due to attendance problems. The Nationals use their "home ice" advantage in the third game, defeating the Whalers 4-2 to get back into the series, however, New England easily defeated Ottawa in the fourth game 7-3 to take a 3-1 series lead. The Whalers would close out the series in the fifth game back in New England, as they beat Ottawa 5-4 in overtime to eliminate the Nationals.

New England Whalers 4, Ottawa Nationals 1

#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Record
1	April 7	Ottawa Nationals	3–6	New England Whalers	0–1
2	April 8	Ottawa Nationals	3–4	New England Whalers	0–2
3	April 10	New England Whalers	2–4	Ottawa Nationals	1-2
4	April 12	New England Whalers	7–3	Ottawa Nationals	1–3
5	April 14	Ottawa Nationals	4–5	New England Whalers	1-4

Regular season

Scoring leaders

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Wayne Carleton Wayne Carleton Kenneth Wayne "Swoop" Carleton is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Carleton started his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would also play with the Boston Bruins and California Golden Seals. His career would last from 1966 to 1972...	75	42	49	91	42
Gavin Kirk Gavin Kirk Gavin Kirk is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 422 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, Calgary Cowboys, Birmingham Bulls, and Edmonton Oilers....	78	28	40	68	54
Bob Charlebois Bob Charlebois Robert Richard Charlebois is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 7 games in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars. He would also play 188 games in the World Hockey Association with the New England Whalers and Ottawa Nationals.-External links:...	78	24	40	64	28
Guy Trottier Guy Trottier Guy Trottier is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 115 games in the National Hockey League and 174 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, Michigan Stags, and Baltimore Blades...	72	26	32	58	25
Bob Leduc Bob Leduc Bob Leduc was a professional ice hockey player who played 158 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros.- References :...	78	22	33	55	71

Goaltending

Player	GP	TOI	W	L	T	GA	SO	GAA	Save %
Gilles Gratton Gilles Gratton Gilles Gratton is a retired ice hockey goaltender.Gratton began his WHA career in 1972 with the Ottawa Nationals. Gilles would also spend time with the Toronto Toros. His brother, Norm Gratton was a professional NHL player as well...	51	3021	25	22	3	187	0	3.71	.882
Les Binkley Les Binkley Leslie John Binkley is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Binkley played goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the World Hockey Association for the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros...	30	1709	10	17	1	106	0	3.72	.882
Frank Blum	2	28	0	0	0	3	0	6.43	.824

Playoffs

Scoring leaders

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Wayne Carleton Wayne Carleton Kenneth Wayne "Swoop" Carleton is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Carleton started his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would also play with the Boston Bruins and California Golden Seals. His career would last from 1966 to 1972...	3	3	3	6	4
Gavin Kirk Gavin Kirk Gavin Kirk is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 422 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, Calgary Cowboys, Birmingham Bulls, and Edmonton Oilers....	5	2	3	5	12
Tom Martin Tom Martin (ice hockey) Tom Martin is a Canadian former ice hockey player. He was a fourth round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets, 74th overall, at the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He played 92 National Hockey League games for the Jets, Hartford Whalers and Minnesota North Stars in a career predominantly spent in the American...	5	0	5	5	2
Rick Sentes Rick Sentes Rick Sentes is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 337 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, San Diego Mariners, and Calgary Cowboys....	5	3	1	4	2
Brian Conacher Brian Conacher Brian Kennedy Conacher was a professional ice hockey player and hockey broadcaster, specializing in colour commentary. He is the son of the legendary Lionel Conacher, who was voted Canada's top athlete for the first half of the century...	5	1	3	4	4

Goaltending

Player	GP	TOI	W	L	GA	SO	GAA
Les Binkley Les Binkley Leslie John Binkley is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Binkley played goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the World Hockey Association for the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros...	4	223	1	3	17	0	4.57
Gilles Gratton Gilles Gratton Gilles Gratton is a retired ice hockey goaltender.Gratton began his WHA career in 1972 with the Ottawa Nationals. Gilles would also spend time with the Toronto Toros. His brother, Norm Gratton was a professional NHL player as well...	2	87	0	1	7	0	4.83