| The 1977-78 World Hockey Association
saw many changes. The league had 12 teams the previous year but was scaled back to 8 after
the Minnesota Fighting Saints, San Diego Mariners, Calgary Cowboys and Phoenix Roadrunners
folded. The league now consisted of the Nordiques, Jets, Oilers, Racers, Whalers,
Bulls and the Stingers. With only 8 teams remaining in the league, divisions were
dissolved and each team now competed for a playoff spot by not finishing in seventh or
eighth place. As the Stingers entered their
third year as a franchise, many thought the club would be a real contender for the Avco
Cup. The club finished second in their division the previous year and with the addition of
league MVP Robbie Ftorek and successful head coach Jacques Demers, it seemed a sure bet
that they would at least make the playoffs. Regrettably the club lost 11 of their first 15
games right out of the gate, which put the Stingers in a deep hole. After October 20th,
the Stingers never ranked higher than sixth place in the league standings. The club spent
most of their time in seventh place but surprisingly were still in the hunt for a playoff
spot until late in the season. However, after a costly loss to the Houston Aeros on April
8th and a Birmingham Bulls victory over the Indianapolis Racers on April 9th, the Stingers
were eliminated. |
