1972-73 WCLH Season

1972-73 standings

1. Lethbridge Cougars

2. Saskatoon Cats

3. Abbotsford Forest Kings

4. Fargo Owls

5. Medicine Hat Hawks

6. Brandon Buffalos

7. North Battleford Crusaders

8. Nanaimo Greyhounds

Story:

On October 25, 1972, all 8-team played on the day. The Cougars blew the Crusaders 6-0, both the Hawks and the Owls played a 3-3 tie game, Forest Kings beat the Buffalos 3-1, and the Cats blanked the Greyhounds 4-0.

The playoff format was the best 2 of 3 games in the 1st and 2nd round, while the finals became the best 3 of 5 games. On another note, WCLH president James Name announced that all eight teams would be in the playoffs no matter the standings.

If anybody thinks that there is no chance that the Greyhounds would give any top teams a hard time even after winning just 10 out of 40 games, in the playoffs they played as they belong in 1st place with help from Sam Scott scoring 6 goals and Paul Richards 4 goals-against average eliminated 1st seeded and favourited to win it all the Lethbridge Cougars 2 games to 1.

The Greyhounds magic would go all the way to the finals and beat the Brandon Buffalos 3 game to 5 to win the team’s first-ever Jade Trophy and qualified for the Valor Cup tournament.

1973 WCLH Playoffs

Round 1 (best 2 of 3 games)

8th Nanaimo Greyhounds: 2 – 1st Lethbridge Cougars: 1

2nd Saskatoon Cats: 2 – 7th North Battleford Crusaders: 0

6th Brandon Buffalos: 2 – 3rd Abbotsford Forest Kings: 1

4th Fargo Owls: 2 – 5th Medicine Hat Hawks: 1

Round 2 (best 2 of 3 games)

8th Nanaimo Greyhounds: 2 - 2nd Saskatoon Cats: 1

6th Brandon Buffalos: 2 - 4th Fargo Owls: 0

Jade Trophy finals (best 3 of 5 games)

8th Nanaimo Greyhounds: 3 - 6th Brandon Buffalos: 2