1977 Playoffs

Entering the 1977 Lewis Cup playoffs, all eyes were on the league's two newest franchises, who had both miraculously made the playoffs. Each team would face a serious challenge in the first round, however, as Long Island would take on Montreal, while Edmonton would face the powerful LA Wizards. Right away, the Northern Lights began proving they just happy to be there, stunning the Wizards 2-0 with Bill Kelly stopping 36 shots for the shutout. LA looked more like themselves in game 2, winning 4-2 on the strength of Stuart Holly's goal and two assists. Holly would score again in game 3, as would would Sheldon Hopkins, but Edmonton would not go away. Rookie Glen Childs scored to bring the game to within one before Don Greer would tie it in the third period. In overtime, Bill Kelly stopped 12 shots right off the bat before Greer scored again for Minnesota to give them the win and a 2-1 series lead. When Edmonton went up 1-0  just 19 seconds into game 4, LA knew they were in trouble. Ray Fowler scored a big goal just 3 minutes later to tie the game, before tough guy Roy Priest put the Wizards ahead. When Holly scored two in the second period, LA appeared to finally be taking back control. Former Wizard Brad Wolfe scored for Edmonton early in the third, but it would be too late, as LA tied the series at two games apiece. The Wizards took the series lead in game 5, but with an opportunity to finally close the Northern Lights out in game 6, Edmonton went goal for goal with the Wizards all game long, sending the game to overtime, where veteran Stan Desmond scored to force game 7. In game 7, Edmonton finally ran out of gas. Stuart Holly scored twice while Dennis Carter pitched a shutout as LA finally put an end to Edmonton's magical first season. LA was not the only contending team to have their hands full in the first round. In other Western Conference action, Minnesota nearly found themselves eliminated by Calgary when the Wranglers went up 3 games to 2. Captain Guy Dupont put the Lumberjacks on his back, scoring two goals and 4 assists in games 6 and 7, as Minnesota took the series in 7. Elsewhere in the west, California defeated St. Louis in 6 games, while Denver upset Chicago in 6.

In the Eastern Conference, only one series went more than 4 games, as the New York Civics took 6 games to eliminate the Toronto Racers. Ottawa swept Boston in 4 straight, while Montreal made short work of the expansion Concordes, sweeping them in 4 straight. Washington's return to the post-season would be short-lived, as the Philadelphia Redshirts swept them in a series that was much closer than the number of game would indicate, with 3 of the 4 games won in the third period. Entering their second round series with Montreal, the New York Civics were a confident club coming off a tough series with Toronto. that confidence would take a hit in game 1 however, as Montreal took it 2-0. The Civics would respond with a pair of wins in games 2 and 3 to take a 2-1 series lead, in game 4, Emmett Hudson's hat-trick for the Royale would prove to be all they needed as Montreal tied the series with a 3-1 win. New York would go on to win the next two, however, to close out the series in 6. In other second round action, Guy Dupont continued his strong play as Minnesota won a tough series against the California Nuggets, Denver managed only one win against LA as the Wizards moved on, while Ottawa defeated the Philadelphia Redshirts in 5 games as well.

The Conference Finals would feature all four division winners for the first time in five years. Taking on the New York Civics, the Ottawa Beavers were determined to finally prove they belonged in the finals. After winning the first two games at home, the Beavers went into New York full of confidence, especially after a convincing 4-1 win in game 2. Game 3 would prove to be a lot closer, going into overtime. With the Civics' season unofficially on the line, Phil Holmes scored a big goal for New York to bring the series to 2-1. When New York went up 2-0 early in game 4, it looked like a new series. But the Beavers would go on to score 3 unanswered goals in the third period, taking the game 3-2 and the series lead 3-1. Game 5 would be another 4-1 win for Ottawa as the Beavers finally reached the Lewis Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. In the Western Conference Final, LA continued their dominant play against Minnesota, taking a 3-0 series lead right away. It looked like the Lumberjacks were finished yet again. Game 4 went right down to the wire, as LA nursed a 1-0 lead most of the game. With 23 seconds remaining, Roland Webb knocked his own rebound past Carter to send the game to overtime and save Minnesota's season. Veteran Doug Williams scored just 41 seconds into OT to force game 5 back in LA. Bobby Sorel played the game of his life in game 5, stopping 47 LA shots for a shutout to extend the series to 6. In game 6, the teams played a tight 2-2 game until halfway through the third period. when the Lumberjacks scored two quick goals from Webb and Dupont. the lead would hold up as fans in at the Twin Cities Forum gave their team a standing ovation. After facing a 0-3 deficit, the 'Jacks had brought the series all the way to game 7. The deciding game would be another close one, as the teams played to a 2-2 tie entering the third period. Both Sorel and Carter made some big saves in the third period, including a spectacular glove save by Carter on Roland Webb. finally, Stuart Holly would prove to be the hero once again for LA, giving the Wizards a 3-2 lead. The Lumberjacks swarmed the LA net in the dying minutes, trying desperately to tie the game and prolong their season, but Carter met every challenge as LA held on for a 3-2 win and an opportunity to defend their title.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3