The 1917-18 season - Everything we know
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tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Regular Season overview
Needless to say, the biggest item of business in professional hockey in 1917 was the formation of a new professional league to replace the NHA. That subject is well documented elsewhere and involves a lot of business minutia, so I’d prefer to set it aside for now and focus on the actual gameplay that occurred after the league issues were settled.
Coming into the season, it was fairly well established that the Canadiens and Wanderers were, respectively, the most- and least- well structured teams. That was played out over the course of the season as the Habs cruised to a relatively easy first-half championship whereas the Wanderers failed to survive at all. The Wanderers simply never got it together and couldn’t seem to ice a coherent group of players, whereas the Canadiens reinforced their reputation as the “Flying Frenchmen†with a potent offensive attack that often wore their opponents down over the course of the game.
The early middle-tier consisted of Ottawa and Toronto. The Senators spent most of the season anticipating the return of Frank Nighbor (which became almost a comedy of false starts) and dealing with a plague of injuries, whereas the Leafs scrambled to find an adequate goaltender before making a late-season push.
Though the Habs officially won the first half of the schedule by 4 points, their lead felt more comfortable than that. Having started 7-2-0, the Canadiens seemed to let up and were beaten by hungrier Toronto and Ottawa teams in consecutive games. They finished the first half with an 11-2 romp over Toronto and seemed cemented as the top team in the league.
However, the season pivoted on the demise of the Wanderers. With Hap Holmes in goal and a succession of small upgrades to their roster, Toronto gradually surpassed Montreal as the team to beat. Ottawa gradually faded due to an apparent lack of ability to control the play offensively over the course of a full 60 minutes. In the end, Toronto won the second half of the schedule and tied Montreal for the overall championship, forcing a playoff.
Needless to say, the biggest item of business in professional hockey in 1917 was the formation of a new professional league to replace the NHA. That subject is well documented elsewhere and involves a lot of business minutia, so I’d prefer to set it aside for now and focus on the actual gameplay that occurred after the league issues were settled.
Coming into the season, it was fairly well established that the Canadiens and Wanderers were, respectively, the most- and least- well structured teams. That was played out over the course of the season as the Habs cruised to a relatively easy first-half championship whereas the Wanderers failed to survive at all. The Wanderers simply never got it together and couldn’t seem to ice a coherent group of players, whereas the Canadiens reinforced their reputation as the “Flying Frenchmen†with a potent offensive attack that often wore their opponents down over the course of the game.
The early middle-tier consisted of Ottawa and Toronto. The Senators spent most of the season anticipating the return of Frank Nighbor (which became almost a comedy of false starts) and dealing with a plague of injuries, whereas the Leafs scrambled to find an adequate goaltender before making a late-season push.
Though the Habs officially won the first half of the schedule by 4 points, their lead felt more comfortable than that. Having started 7-2-0, the Canadiens seemed to let up and were beaten by hungrier Toronto and Ottawa teams in consecutive games. They finished the first half with an 11-2 romp over Toronto and seemed cemented as the top team in the league.
However, the season pivoted on the demise of the Wanderers. With Hap Holmes in goal and a succession of small upgrades to their roster, Toronto gradually surpassed Montreal as the team to beat. Ottawa gradually faded due to an apparent lack of ability to control the play offensively over the course of a full 60 minutes. In the end, Toronto won the second half of the schedule and tied Montreal for the overall championship, forcing a playoff.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
1917-18 Montreal Wanderers
The first NHL team to physically take the ice was the Wanderers, in an evening practice on December 3, 1917 (the Habs were scheduled for a morning practice but apparently canceled it).
The Wanderers started the season behind the 8-ball as three of their returning stars (Sprague Cleghorn – broken ankle after slipping on a patch of ice; Odie Cleghorn – exemption from military duty required him to not play pro hockey; Harry Hyland – uncertain?)were not expected to play. To make things even tougher on management, players signed from the temporarily-suspended Quebec Bulldogs refused to report to Montreal for training camp. Player/coach Art Ross was forced to personally go to Quebec City on a failed mission to appeal for their services. Hyland eventually made his way back onto the roster, but not before the Wanderers made a pre-season ultimatum to be supplied with players or suspend their franchise. The league’s first president, Frank Calder, called the bluff and eventually the Wanderers agreed to play the season.
Short as it was, the Wanderers’ existence consisted largely of trying to find a decent set of players to fill out the roster. A report from their opening match against Toronto (in which Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history) noted that both the Wanderers and Toronto clubs were carrying substitutes who wouldn’t have cracked an NHA roster. After their season opener they brought in Raymie Skilton from Boston, and started him on defense next to Ross while benching Stevens and moving Ritchie to wing for Bell. Skilton only lasted the one game before falling ill, so in their third match Stevens took a turn at wing in order for Ritchie to move back. The following game, the club added Jack Marks as a starting wing and brought Bell back to the starting lineup as well. Ross was soon felled by a bad back, and Bell by a sliced foot. The Wanderers’ only victory came at home over Toronto, in an affair that was largely blamed on the poor goaltending by the visitors.
All of this lineup shuffling was symptomatic of a club that openly complained of a shortage of players. When they lost, it was usually in a one-sided fashion that was bluntly described in the Gazette as “uninterestingâ€. Their struggles came to an end in early January when the Arena burned to the ground, leaving both Montreal teams without a permanent home. The Habs quickly made arrangements with the Jubilee rink to host the rest of their schedule, but the Wanderers were not interested in playing across town from their English-speaking base of support. Art Ross saw no point in continuing, given the state of the roster combined with the loss of their arena and equipment. Team president Sam Lichtenhein agreed, and defied opposition from the other owners by resigning his franchise only a few days later.
While the Wanderers’ resignation would remove the easiest matchup from the remaining teams’ schedules, the dispersal of their players would also have a strengthening influence on their rosters. This concentration of talent would make Toronto in particular a more formidable opponent for the Canadiens and Senators.
Harry Hyland and Dave Ritchie – To Ottawa, filling Ottawa’s anticipated need for a defenseman to replace Morley Bruce and providing a bit of compensation at center for the situation with Frank Nighbor
Hap Holmes and Jack Marks – To Toronto, filling Toronto’s need for an adequate goaltender and providing an depth at their relatively weak wings
Jack McDonald and Billy Bell – To the Canadiens, where they would have little impact until the following season
Outstanding players - Ritchie
The first NHL team to physically take the ice was the Wanderers, in an evening practice on December 3, 1917 (the Habs were scheduled for a morning practice but apparently canceled it).
The Wanderers started the season behind the 8-ball as three of their returning stars (Sprague Cleghorn – broken ankle after slipping on a patch of ice; Odie Cleghorn – exemption from military duty required him to not play pro hockey; Harry Hyland – uncertain?)were not expected to play. To make things even tougher on management, players signed from the temporarily-suspended Quebec Bulldogs refused to report to Montreal for training camp. Player/coach Art Ross was forced to personally go to Quebec City on a failed mission to appeal for their services. Hyland eventually made his way back onto the roster, but not before the Wanderers made a pre-season ultimatum to be supplied with players or suspend their franchise. The league’s first president, Frank Calder, called the bluff and eventually the Wanderers agreed to play the season.
Short as it was, the Wanderers’ existence consisted largely of trying to find a decent set of players to fill out the roster. A report from their opening match against Toronto (in which Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history) noted that both the Wanderers and Toronto clubs were carrying substitutes who wouldn’t have cracked an NHA roster. After their season opener they brought in Raymie Skilton from Boston, and started him on defense next to Ross while benching Stevens and moving Ritchie to wing for Bell. Skilton only lasted the one game before falling ill, so in their third match Stevens took a turn at wing in order for Ritchie to move back. The following game, the club added Jack Marks as a starting wing and brought Bell back to the starting lineup as well. Ross was soon felled by a bad back, and Bell by a sliced foot. The Wanderers’ only victory came at home over Toronto, in an affair that was largely blamed on the poor goaltending by the visitors.
All of this lineup shuffling was symptomatic of a club that openly complained of a shortage of players. When they lost, it was usually in a one-sided fashion that was bluntly described in the Gazette as “uninterestingâ€. Their struggles came to an end in early January when the Arena burned to the ground, leaving both Montreal teams without a permanent home. The Habs quickly made arrangements with the Jubilee rink to host the rest of their schedule, but the Wanderers were not interested in playing across town from their English-speaking base of support. Art Ross saw no point in continuing, given the state of the roster combined with the loss of their arena and equipment. Team president Sam Lichtenhein agreed, and defied opposition from the other owners by resigning his franchise only a few days later.
While the Wanderers’ resignation would remove the easiest matchup from the remaining teams’ schedules, the dispersal of their players would also have a strengthening influence on their rosters. This concentration of talent would make Toronto in particular a more formidable opponent for the Canadiens and Senators.
Harry Hyland and Dave Ritchie – To Ottawa, filling Ottawa’s anticipated need for a defenseman to replace Morley Bruce and providing a bit of compensation at center for the situation with Frank Nighbor
Hap Holmes and Jack Marks – To Toronto, filling Toronto’s need for an adequate goaltender and providing an depth at their relatively weak wings
Jack McDonald and Billy Bell – To the Canadiens, where they would have little impact until the following season
Outstanding players - Ritchie
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
1917-18 Montreal Canadiens
The Habs returned essentially their entire lineup from the previous season, minus Harry Mummery and Reg Noble who were assigned to Toronto as part of the league’s start-up plan. By far the most cohesive and experienced group to begin the season, the Habs rarely changed their lineup unless their hand was forced by injury or absence. Against the backdrop of rapid roster changes in the other three organizations, the Canadiens were remarkably consistent in icing the same forward line (Malone – Lalonde- Pitre) and the same defense pair (Hall – Corbeau) on a nightly basis.
While the Arena fire in early January had a more permanent effect on the Wanderers, it also greatly effected the Canadiens’ season. They hastily relocated to the Jubilee Rink some 4 miles away, while also having to replace all of their playing equipment, and added Jack McDonald as a substitute forward from the Wanderers roster. The Canadiens also had first rights to a quality winger in Jack Marks, but loaned him to Toronto rather than hold him as an extra substitute.
The turning point in the Canadiens’ season may have been a foot injury to Newsy Lalonde, sustained in a vicious game against Ottawa that eventually led to a stick-fighting incident between Lalonde and Cy Denneny. With Lalonde recuperating, and the Habs in a comfortable lead for the first-half title, the team seemed to ease up just a bit and began to lose games against reinforced Ottawa and Toronto squads. Further, when Lalonde departed the team in a late-season game to tend to his sick father (and incidentally save the lives of his entire family), the Habs were blown out 8-0 by an Ottawa team which had been slumping badly. Any hopes of the Canadiens catching up in the title race were quashed by illnesses to Malone and Pitre, leaving the Habs on a 3-game losing streak to finish the season.
To provide a sense of Lalonde’s importance to the team, and to Malone in particular:
Malone with Lalonde: 13 games, 32 goals (2.46 gpg)
Malone without Lalonde: 7 games, 12 goals (1.71 gpg)
While the 12-in-7 pace was still outstanding, it didn’t stick out from the crowd of Cy Denneny (1.8 gpg), Reg Noble (1.5 gpg), or Lalonde himself (1.64 gpg). In other words, it seems to have been the advantage of playing wing beside Lalonde that elevated Malone from an “ordinary†star scorer into the stratosphere of holding the all-time GPG record.
Another noteworthy dynamic for the Canadiens was the apparent perception that they were a slower, heavier team that preferred to play on soft ice and small rinks. The move to Jubilee Rink worked well for them in this respect, and indeed their 6-2 home record after the move stands in contrast to their 3-5 record on the road.
Outstanding players: Malone, Lalonde, Hall, Vezina
The Habs returned essentially their entire lineup from the previous season, minus Harry Mummery and Reg Noble who were assigned to Toronto as part of the league’s start-up plan. By far the most cohesive and experienced group to begin the season, the Habs rarely changed their lineup unless their hand was forced by injury or absence. Against the backdrop of rapid roster changes in the other three organizations, the Canadiens were remarkably consistent in icing the same forward line (Malone – Lalonde- Pitre) and the same defense pair (Hall – Corbeau) on a nightly basis.
While the Arena fire in early January had a more permanent effect on the Wanderers, it also greatly effected the Canadiens’ season. They hastily relocated to the Jubilee Rink some 4 miles away, while also having to replace all of their playing equipment, and added Jack McDonald as a substitute forward from the Wanderers roster. The Canadiens also had first rights to a quality winger in Jack Marks, but loaned him to Toronto rather than hold him as an extra substitute.
The turning point in the Canadiens’ season may have been a foot injury to Newsy Lalonde, sustained in a vicious game against Ottawa that eventually led to a stick-fighting incident between Lalonde and Cy Denneny. With Lalonde recuperating, and the Habs in a comfortable lead for the first-half title, the team seemed to ease up just a bit and began to lose games against reinforced Ottawa and Toronto squads. Further, when Lalonde departed the team in a late-season game to tend to his sick father (and incidentally save the lives of his entire family), the Habs were blown out 8-0 by an Ottawa team which had been slumping badly. Any hopes of the Canadiens catching up in the title race were quashed by illnesses to Malone and Pitre, leaving the Habs on a 3-game losing streak to finish the season.
To provide a sense of Lalonde’s importance to the team, and to Malone in particular:
Malone with Lalonde: 13 games, 32 goals (2.46 gpg)
Malone without Lalonde: 7 games, 12 goals (1.71 gpg)
While the 12-in-7 pace was still outstanding, it didn’t stick out from the crowd of Cy Denneny (1.8 gpg), Reg Noble (1.5 gpg), or Lalonde himself (1.64 gpg). In other words, it seems to have been the advantage of playing wing beside Lalonde that elevated Malone from an “ordinary†star scorer into the stratosphere of holding the all-time GPG record.
Another noteworthy dynamic for the Canadiens was the apparent perception that they were a slower, heavier team that preferred to play on soft ice and small rinks. The move to Jubilee Rink worked well for them in this respect, and indeed their 6-2 home record after the move stands in contrast to their 3-5 record on the road.
Outstanding players: Malone, Lalonde, Hall, Vezina
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
1917-18 Ottawa Senators
The Senators officially took the ice as an NHL team on December 4th, in a scrimmage against the amateur team from Aberdeen. Ottawa’s only addition from the dispersed Quebec club was Rusty Crawford, who arrived with much fanfare to shore up the forward line. Crawford would disappoint, with a consensus among reporters that his conditioning and resilience wasn’t up to par, and he would eventually be allowed to leave for Toronto.
A large storyline in the Senators’ season concerned the future of Frank Nighbor, who initially was not expected to play for the Senators due to his military commitment in Toronto. Ironically, Toronto manager Charles Querrie pushed hard for Nighbor in a trade, up until the day it was announced immediately before the first Toronto/Ottawa game that the Sens had come to terms with Nighbor and would put him in the lineup that night. Querrie protested to the league (which eventually sided with the Sens), but the referee didn’t risk running afoul of league rules and ordered Nighbor to sit. Toronto blew Ottawa out, 11-4. Even then, Nighbor couldn’t play for several weeks as his military transfer took time to come through – there was even a brief period in which his retirement was announced due to military obligations. Toronto continued to offer a trade of cash for the rights to Nighbor as his return continued to be delayed, but Ottawa countered with a demand for Corb Denneny (who was having a great season). There was also brief discussion of trading Reg Noble for Nighbor when Noble came into a mid-season contract dispute with Toronto. In the end, nothing materialized and Ottawa patiently waited for Nighbor to gain clearance to travel again. He was still able to play for the Sens on their occasional visits to Toronto.
Morley Bruce was drafted mid-season, calling his future in pro hockey into question and Jack Darragh abruptly chose to leave the team temporarily due to personal concerns. These developments, combined with injury issues, made the mid-season arrival of Harry Hyland and Dave Ritchie from the Wanderers particularly important as Ottawa would otherwise have had trouble filling their roster. As it was, they moved Gerard to center at mid-season to cover for an inadequate Boucher, and considered trading Hamby Shore who was struggling at defense. That plan was foiled when Gerard himself missed time with an injured knee, and was replaced by the timely arrival of Hyland at center. As manager, Gerard eventually named Hyland as playing coach.
Nighbor finally joined the club for good near the end of the first half of the season, appearing as a substitute at first and working his way into the regular lineup. Ironically, having finally acquired their centerpiece player and surpassing their injury woes, the Senators went into a catastrophic tailspin that saw them go 1-6 with a goal differential of -25. This must have been baffling to a club and fanbase that had assumed that Nighbor would put them over the top, but the fact of the matter was the Sens simply couldn’t withstand the newly fortified Toronto team nor the speed and control of Montreal. Throughout the season they showed a peculiar lack of consistency from period-to-period and game-to-game, fading as games ground on, and this pattern wasn’t rectified by upgrading their center position. Also, they seemed to struggle with team chemistry – at least Crawford, Shore and Ritchie were released unconditionally due to poor play, and Cy Denneny’s temper was forever getting him in trouble. It might be a little anachronistic to say they were out-coached, but the Senators were clearly less than the sum of their parts.
Outstanding players: Gerard, Benedict, Denneny, Hyland
The Senators officially took the ice as an NHL team on December 4th, in a scrimmage against the amateur team from Aberdeen. Ottawa’s only addition from the dispersed Quebec club was Rusty Crawford, who arrived with much fanfare to shore up the forward line. Crawford would disappoint, with a consensus among reporters that his conditioning and resilience wasn’t up to par, and he would eventually be allowed to leave for Toronto.
A large storyline in the Senators’ season concerned the future of Frank Nighbor, who initially was not expected to play for the Senators due to his military commitment in Toronto. Ironically, Toronto manager Charles Querrie pushed hard for Nighbor in a trade, up until the day it was announced immediately before the first Toronto/Ottawa game that the Sens had come to terms with Nighbor and would put him in the lineup that night. Querrie protested to the league (which eventually sided with the Sens), but the referee didn’t risk running afoul of league rules and ordered Nighbor to sit. Toronto blew Ottawa out, 11-4. Even then, Nighbor couldn’t play for several weeks as his military transfer took time to come through – there was even a brief period in which his retirement was announced due to military obligations. Toronto continued to offer a trade of cash for the rights to Nighbor as his return continued to be delayed, but Ottawa countered with a demand for Corb Denneny (who was having a great season). There was also brief discussion of trading Reg Noble for Nighbor when Noble came into a mid-season contract dispute with Toronto. In the end, nothing materialized and Ottawa patiently waited for Nighbor to gain clearance to travel again. He was still able to play for the Sens on their occasional visits to Toronto.
Morley Bruce was drafted mid-season, calling his future in pro hockey into question and Jack Darragh abruptly chose to leave the team temporarily due to personal concerns. These developments, combined with injury issues, made the mid-season arrival of Harry Hyland and Dave Ritchie from the Wanderers particularly important as Ottawa would otherwise have had trouble filling their roster. As it was, they moved Gerard to center at mid-season to cover for an inadequate Boucher, and considered trading Hamby Shore who was struggling at defense. That plan was foiled when Gerard himself missed time with an injured knee, and was replaced by the timely arrival of Hyland at center. As manager, Gerard eventually named Hyland as playing coach.
Nighbor finally joined the club for good near the end of the first half of the season, appearing as a substitute at first and working his way into the regular lineup. Ironically, having finally acquired their centerpiece player and surpassing their injury woes, the Senators went into a catastrophic tailspin that saw them go 1-6 with a goal differential of -25. This must have been baffling to a club and fanbase that had assumed that Nighbor would put them over the top, but the fact of the matter was the Sens simply couldn’t withstand the newly fortified Toronto team nor the speed and control of Montreal. Throughout the season they showed a peculiar lack of consistency from period-to-period and game-to-game, fading as games ground on, and this pattern wasn’t rectified by upgrading their center position. Also, they seemed to struggle with team chemistry – at least Crawford, Shore and Ritchie were released unconditionally due to poor play, and Cy Denneny’s temper was forever getting him in trouble. It might be a little anachronistic to say they were out-coached, but the Senators were clearly less than the sum of their parts.
Outstanding players: Gerard, Benedict, Denneny, Hyland
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
1917-18 Toronto Hockey Club
Toronto hired Charles Querrie as their first general manager on November 6th. At the same time, rumors surfaced that Querrie would make a push to acquire Frank Nighbor from Ottawa, largely due to the belief that Nighbor would be restricted to living in Toronto while training with the Royal Flying Corps. Nighbor himself said he would not be able to return to Ottawa and would like to play for Toronto under the circumstances.
Querrie made a point, early and often, to lay the team’s struggles at the feet of Sammy Hebert and the alternative goalie option, Art Brooks. He held tryouts for the position during the mid-week lull after the second game of the season, but his primary target was Toronto native Hap Holmes. Holmes had taken a circuitous route from the old Blueshirts franchise, to a successful stint with Seattle of the PCHA, to a brief on-paper cameo with the Wanderers, then an immediate loan back to Seattle. At one point it appeared that Hebert had begun to play himself out of the doghouse, but things changed suddenly when the Wanderers folded and Holmes’ rights were unexpectedly transferred to Toronto. Almost overnight, the gaping hole in goal was filled by one of the world’s best netminders.
Harry Mummery also reported to Toronto after the season started, shoring up their defense. But somewhere in those early days, Querrie butted heads with upper management. Angry at their interference, Querrie resigned from the team after only three games. The first Toronto-at-Montreal game in NHL history was played with a trainer (and future full-time head coach), Dick Carroll, in charge of the Toronto bench. Querrie was eventually coaxed into returning to the team, and continued to be the league’s most aggressive manager in acquiring new talent. He opportunistically picked up Rusty Crawford from Ottawa, and signed OHA star Jack Adams to his first pro contract.
The cumulative effect of solving their goaltending issue and adding quality skaters over the course of the season was striking – Toronto rebounded from their mediocre 7-6 record in the first half of the schedule to win the second half. As Ottawa and Montreal faded, the Blueshirts carried their momentum forward into the playoffs.
Outstanding players: Noble, Denneny, Cameron, Randall, Mummery, Holmes
Toronto hired Charles Querrie as their first general manager on November 6th. At the same time, rumors surfaced that Querrie would make a push to acquire Frank Nighbor from Ottawa, largely due to the belief that Nighbor would be restricted to living in Toronto while training with the Royal Flying Corps. Nighbor himself said he would not be able to return to Ottawa and would like to play for Toronto under the circumstances.
Querrie made a point, early and often, to lay the team’s struggles at the feet of Sammy Hebert and the alternative goalie option, Art Brooks. He held tryouts for the position during the mid-week lull after the second game of the season, but his primary target was Toronto native Hap Holmes. Holmes had taken a circuitous route from the old Blueshirts franchise, to a successful stint with Seattle of the PCHA, to a brief on-paper cameo with the Wanderers, then an immediate loan back to Seattle. At one point it appeared that Hebert had begun to play himself out of the doghouse, but things changed suddenly when the Wanderers folded and Holmes’ rights were unexpectedly transferred to Toronto. Almost overnight, the gaping hole in goal was filled by one of the world’s best netminders.
Harry Mummery also reported to Toronto after the season started, shoring up their defense. But somewhere in those early days, Querrie butted heads with upper management. Angry at their interference, Querrie resigned from the team after only three games. The first Toronto-at-Montreal game in NHL history was played with a trainer (and future full-time head coach), Dick Carroll, in charge of the Toronto bench. Querrie was eventually coaxed into returning to the team, and continued to be the league’s most aggressive manager in acquiring new talent. He opportunistically picked up Rusty Crawford from Ottawa, and signed OHA star Jack Adams to his first pro contract.
The cumulative effect of solving their goaltending issue and adding quality skaters over the course of the season was striking – Toronto rebounded from their mediocre 7-6 record in the first half of the schedule to win the second half. As Ottawa and Montreal faded, the Blueshirts carried their momentum forward into the playoffs.
Outstanding players: Noble, Denneny, Cameron, Randall, Mummery, Holmes
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Montreal Canadiens game-by-game roster and scoring
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments. The defense sides are simply an arbitrary guess.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 (@ Ottawa)
Malone (5) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre (1)
Hall - Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 (@ Wanderers)
Malone (3) – Lalonde (3) – Pitre (2)
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Couture (2), Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 (@ Toronto)
Malone (1) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (3)
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette)
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 (vs Toronto)
Malone (2) – Lalonde (4) – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette (1))
Game 5 – Jan 2, 1918 (vs Wanderers)
Forfeited by Wanderers
Game 6 – Jan 5, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Malone (2) – Lalonde (3) – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 7 – Jan 9, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Malone(2) – Lalonde (3) – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 8 – Jan 12, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Malone (5) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre (2)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Bell, Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 9 – Jan 19, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Malone (1) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre (3)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Bell, Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 10 – Jan 21, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Couture – Malone (1) – Pitre
Hall (3) – Corbeau
Vezina
(Berlinguette, Laviolette (1))
Game 11 – Jan 23, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Couture – Malone (2) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Laviolette, Berlinguette, Bell)
Game 12 – Jan 28, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Malone (1) – Lalonde – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Laviolette, Berlinguette)
Game 13 – Jan 30, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Couture – Malone (4) – Pitre
Hall (1) – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture (?), Berlinguette)
Game 14 – Feb 2, 1918 (vs Toronto)
McDonald (1) – Malone (4) – Pitre (3)
Hall (2) – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Laviolette, Couture, Bell)
Game 15 – Feb 6, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
McDonald (1) – Malone (1) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Laviolette, Couture, Berlinguette)
Game 16 – Feb 9, 1918 (vs Toronto)
McDonald (2) – Malone – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Laviolette, Berlinguette)
Game 17 – Feb 16, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Malone (4) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre
Hall (1) – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald (3), Laviolette, Berlinguette, Couture)
Game 18 – Feb 18, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Malone (3) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre (2)
Hall (1) – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald, Laviolette (1), Berlinguette)
Game 19 – Feb 20, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Malone (3) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald (1), Laviolette, Berlinguette, Couture)
Game 20 – Feb 25, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Couture – Malone – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Laviolette, Berlinguette, Bell)
Game 21 – Feb 27, 1918 (vs Ottawa, in QC)
Lalonde (1) – Malone – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald, Couture, Laviolette)
Game 22 – March 2, 1918 (@ Toronto)
McDonald (1) – Lalonde (1) – Laviolette
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Berlinguette (1), Couture)
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments. The defense sides are simply an arbitrary guess.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 (@ Ottawa)
Malone (5) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre (1)
Hall - Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 (@ Wanderers)
Malone (3) – Lalonde (3) – Pitre (2)
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Couture (2), Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 (@ Toronto)
Malone (1) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (3)
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette)
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 (vs Toronto)
Malone (2) – Lalonde (4) – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette (1))
Game 5 – Jan 2, 1918 (vs Wanderers)
Forfeited by Wanderers
Game 6 – Jan 5, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Malone (2) – Lalonde (3) – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 7 – Jan 9, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Malone(2) – Lalonde (3) – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 8 – Jan 12, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Malone (5) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre (2)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Bell, Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 9 – Jan 19, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Malone (1) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre (3)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Bell, Couture, Berlinguette, Laviolette)
Game 10 – Jan 21, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Couture – Malone (1) – Pitre
Hall (3) – Corbeau
Vezina
(Berlinguette, Laviolette (1))
Game 11 – Jan 23, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Couture – Malone (2) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Laviolette, Berlinguette, Bell)
Game 12 – Jan 28, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Malone (1) – Lalonde – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Laviolette, Berlinguette)
Game 13 – Jan 30, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Couture – Malone (4) – Pitre
Hall (1) – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture (?), Berlinguette)
Game 14 – Feb 2, 1918 (vs Toronto)
McDonald (1) – Malone (4) – Pitre (3)
Hall (2) – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Laviolette, Couture, Bell)
Game 15 – Feb 6, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
McDonald (1) – Malone (1) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(Laviolette, Couture, Berlinguette)
Game 16 – Feb 9, 1918 (vs Toronto)
McDonald (2) – Malone – Pitre (1)
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Couture, Laviolette, Berlinguette)
Game 17 – Feb 16, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Malone (4) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre
Hall (1) – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald (3), Laviolette, Berlinguette, Couture)
Game 18 – Feb 18, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Malone (3) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre (2)
Hall (1) – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald, Laviolette (1), Berlinguette)
Game 19 – Feb 20, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Malone (3) – Lalonde (1) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald (1), Laviolette, Berlinguette, Couture)
Game 20 – Feb 25, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Couture – Malone – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Laviolette, Berlinguette, Bell)
Game 21 – Feb 27, 1918 (vs Ottawa, in QC)
Lalonde (1) – Malone – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(McDonald, Couture, Laviolette)
Game 22 – March 2, 1918 (@ Toronto)
McDonald (1) – Lalonde (1) – Laviolette
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Berlinguette (1), Couture)
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Montreal Wanderers game-by-game roster and scoring
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments. The defense sides are simply an arbitrary guess.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 (vs Toronto)
McDonald (1) – Hyland (5) – Bell (1)
Ritchie (2) – Stephens
Lindsay
(Geran, Ross (1), O’Grady)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 (vs Canadiens)
McDonald (1) – Hyland – Ritchie
Ross – Skilton
Lindsay
(Geran, Stephens (1), O’Grady)
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 (vs Ottawa)
McDonald (1) – Hyland (1) – Stephens
Ross – Ritchie (1)
Lindsay
no subs listed
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 (@ Ottawa)
Marks – Hyland – Bell
Stephens – Ritchie (2)
Lindsay
(McDonald, Geran, O’Grady)
Game 5 – Jan 2, 1917 (@ Canadiens)
Forfeited by Wanderers
Game 6 – Jan 6, 1917 (@ Toronto)
Forfeited by Wanderers
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments. The defense sides are simply an arbitrary guess.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 (vs Toronto)
McDonald (1) – Hyland (5) – Bell (1)
Ritchie (2) – Stephens
Lindsay
(Geran, Ross (1), O’Grady)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 (vs Canadiens)
McDonald (1) – Hyland – Ritchie
Ross – Skilton
Lindsay
(Geran, Stephens (1), O’Grady)
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 (vs Ottawa)
McDonald (1) – Hyland (1) – Stephens
Ross – Ritchie (1)
Lindsay
no subs listed
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 (@ Ottawa)
Marks – Hyland – Bell
Stephens – Ritchie (2)
Lindsay
(McDonald, Geran, O’Grady)
Game 5 – Jan 2, 1917 (@ Canadiens)
Forfeited by Wanderers
Game 6 – Jan 6, 1917 (@ Toronto)
Forfeited by Wanderers
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Ottawa Senators game-by-game roster and scoring
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments. The defense sides are simply an arbitrary guess.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 – (vs Canadiens)
Denneny (3) – Boucher – Lowry
Crawford – Gerard (1)
Benedict
(Bruce, Darragh, Shore)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 – (@ Toronto)
Denneny (3) – Gerard – Darragh
Crawford (1) – Shore
Benedict
(Boucher, Lowry, Bruce)
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 – (@ Wanderers)
Denneny (2) – Nighbor (1) – Darragh (1)
Shore (1) – Gerard
Benedict
(Boucher (1))
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 – (vs Wanderers)
Denneny (4) – Boucher (2) – Darragh (1)
Gerard (1) – Shore
Benedict
(Crawford, Lowry, Bruce)
Game 5 – Jan 2, 1918 – (vs Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Crawford – Darragh (1)
Shore – Gerard (3)
Benedict
(Boucher, Lowery)
Game 6 – Jan 5, 1918 – (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (2) – Crawford – Boucher (1)
Shore – Gerard (1)
Benedict
(Bruce, Lowery (1))
Game 7 – Jan 12, 1918 – (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (1) – Gerard (1) – Crawford
Shore – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Boucher, Lowery (1), Bruce)
Game 8 – Jan 14, 1918 – (vs Toronto)
Denneny (3) – Gerard (1) – Darragh (3)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Hyland (2), Boucher, Crawford, Lowrey)
Game 9 – Jan 16, 1918 – (@ Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Boucher (1) – Crawford
Shore(1) – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Lowery)
Game 10 – Jan 21, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Denneny (1) – Hyland (1) – Darragh (1)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Boucher, Crawford, Gerard)
Game 11 – Jan 23, 1918 - (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (1) – Gerard – Hyland (3)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Lowery, Boucher)
Game 12 – Jan 26, 1918 - (vs Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Boucher (1) – Darragh (2)
Gerard (2) – Ritchie
Benedict
(Lowery, Crawford)
Game 13 – Jan 30, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Denneny – Boucher – Darragh
Gerard (1) – Ritchie
Benedict
(Hyland (1), Crawford)
Game 14 – Feb 4, 1918 - (@Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Gerard – Darragh (1)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Boucher, Nighbor)
Game 15 – Feb 6, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Gerard – Nighbor (1) – Darragh (1)
Shore – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Denneny (3), Hyland, Boucher)
Game 16 – Feb 11, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Gerard – Nighbor – Darragh
Shore (1) – Ritchie
Benedict
(Denneny, Hyland, Boucher)
Game 17 – Feb 13, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Gerard – Nighbor (1) – Darragh
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Denneny, Hyland, Boucher)
Game 18 – Feb 16, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (2) – Gerard (1) – Hyland
Shore – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Boucher, Hebert, Darragh)
Game 19 – Feb 23, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Gerard – Nighbor (1) – Boucher
Shore – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny (1), Darragh (1), Hyland, Lavery)
Game 20 – Feb 25, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Boucher (2) – Nighbor (1) – Darragh (3)
Gerard – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny (3), Hyland, Shore)
Game 21 – Feb 27, 1918 (@ Canadiens, in QC)
Boucher (1) – Nighbor (2) – Darragh
Gerard – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny, Hyland, Ritchie)
Game 22 – Mar 6, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Boucher – Nighbor (4) – Darragh
Gerard (1) – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny (3), Hyland (1), unlisted defenseman?)
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments. The defense sides are simply an arbitrary guess.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 – (vs Canadiens)
Denneny (3) – Boucher – Lowry
Crawford – Gerard (1)
Benedict
(Bruce, Darragh, Shore)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 – (@ Toronto)
Denneny (3) – Gerard – Darragh
Crawford (1) – Shore
Benedict
(Boucher, Lowry, Bruce)
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 – (@ Wanderers)
Denneny (2) – Nighbor (1) – Darragh (1)
Shore (1) – Gerard
Benedict
(Boucher (1))
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 – (vs Wanderers)
Denneny (4) – Boucher (2) – Darragh (1)
Gerard (1) – Shore
Benedict
(Crawford, Lowry, Bruce)
Game 5 – Jan 2, 1918 – (vs Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Crawford – Darragh (1)
Shore – Gerard (3)
Benedict
(Boucher, Lowery)
Game 6 – Jan 5, 1918 – (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (2) – Crawford – Boucher (1)
Shore – Gerard (1)
Benedict
(Bruce, Lowery (1))
Game 7 – Jan 12, 1918 – (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (1) – Gerard (1) – Crawford
Shore – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Boucher, Lowery (1), Bruce)
Game 8 – Jan 14, 1918 – (vs Toronto)
Denneny (3) – Gerard (1) – Darragh (3)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Hyland (2), Boucher, Crawford, Lowrey)
Game 9 – Jan 16, 1918 – (@ Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Boucher (1) – Crawford
Shore(1) – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Lowery)
Game 10 – Jan 21, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Denneny (1) – Hyland (1) – Darragh (1)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Boucher, Crawford, Gerard)
Game 11 – Jan 23, 1918 - (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (1) – Gerard – Hyland (3)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Lowery, Boucher)
Game 12 – Jan 26, 1918 - (vs Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Boucher (1) – Darragh (2)
Gerard (2) – Ritchie
Benedict
(Lowery, Crawford)
Game 13 – Jan 30, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Denneny – Boucher – Darragh
Gerard (1) – Ritchie
Benedict
(Hyland (1), Crawford)
Game 14 – Feb 4, 1918 - (@Toronto)
Denneny (1) – Gerard – Darragh (1)
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Boucher, Nighbor)
Game 15 – Feb 6, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Gerard – Nighbor (1) – Darragh (1)
Shore – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Denneny (3), Hyland, Boucher)
Game 16 – Feb 11, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Gerard – Nighbor – Darragh
Shore (1) – Ritchie
Benedict
(Denneny, Hyland, Boucher)
Game 17 – Feb 13, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Gerard – Nighbor (1) – Darragh
Shore – Ritchie
Benedict
(Denneny, Hyland, Boucher)
Game 18 – Feb 16, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny (2) – Gerard (1) – Hyland
Shore – Ritchie (1)
Benedict
(Boucher, Hebert, Darragh)
Game 19 – Feb 23, 1918 (@ Toronto)
Gerard – Nighbor (1) – Boucher
Shore – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny (1), Darragh (1), Hyland, Lavery)
Game 20 – Feb 25, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Boucher (2) – Nighbor (1) – Darragh (3)
Gerard – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny (3), Hyland, Shore)
Game 21 – Feb 27, 1918 (@ Canadiens, in QC)
Boucher (1) – Nighbor (2) – Darragh
Gerard – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny, Hyland, Ritchie)
Game 22 – Mar 6, 1918 (vs Toronto)
Boucher – Nighbor (4) – Darragh
Gerard (1) – Merrill
Benedict
(Denneny (3), Hyland (1), unlisted defenseman?)
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Toronto Hockey Club game-by-game roster and scoring
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments.
* This is the only team in which I could confirm the sides that each defenseman played -- according to their team picture, Cameron and Randall played the right side while Mummery played the left. I arbitrarily put Randall on the left side when he started together with Cameron.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 - (@ Wanderers)
Noble (4) – Denneny (2) – Skinner (1)
Randall – Cameron (2)
Hebert
(Meeking, Coughlin, Brooks)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 (vs Ottawa)
Noble (3) – Denneny (3) – Skinner
Randall – Cameron
Brooks
(Meeking (3), Coughlin (2))
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 (vs Canadiens)
Noble (1) – Denneny (1) – Skinner
Randall – Cameron (4)
Brooks
(Meeking (1), Coughlin)
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny – Noble – Skinner
Randall – Cameron (2)
Brooks
(Mummery, Meeking, Coughlin)
Game 5 – January 2, 1918 - (@ Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Denneny (1) – Skinner
Mummery (1) – Cameron
Hebert
(Randall (1), Meeking (1), Coughlin, Brooks)
Game 6 – January 5, 1918 – (vs Wanderers)
Forfeited by Wanderers
Game 7 – January 9, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Noble (1) – Denneny (1) – Randall (1)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Skinner (2), Meeking (1))
Game 8 – January 14, 1918 - (@ Ottawa)
Noble (1) – Denneny (3) – Randall
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Skinner, Meeking (1), Hebert)
Game 9 – January 16, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Denneny (1) – Skinner
Mummery – Randall (2)
Holmes
(Cameron, Meeking)
Game 10 – January 19, 1918 - (@ Canadiens)
Noble – Denneny – Skinner
Mummery (1) – Randall
Holmes
(Cameron, Meeking)
Game 11 – January 26, 1918 - (@ Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Denneny (1) – Randall
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Skinner, Meeking, Marks)
Game 12 – January 28, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Noble (2) – Randall (1) – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Denneny, Meeking, Marks)
Game 13 – Feb 2, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny – Randall – Meeking (1)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Skinner (1), Marks)
Game 14 – Feb 4, 1918 - (vs Ottawa)
Noble (3) – Randall (1) – Skinner (1)
Mummery (1) – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Meeking, Denneny (1), Marks)
Game 15 – Feb 9, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny – Randall (2) – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Noble (1), Meeking (2), Adams, Marks)
Game 16 – Feb 11, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Noble – Randall – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny (2), Adams, Meeking, Crawford)
Game 17 – Feb 13, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Meeking – Skinner (2)
Mummery (1) – Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny (1), Randall, Adams, Crawford)
Game 18 – Feb 18, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Noble – Meeking – Skinner
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny, Randall, Adams, Crawford)
Game 19 – Feb 20, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Noble (3) – Meeking – Denneny (1)
Mummery – Randall
Holmes
(Cameron, Adams, Crawford)
Game 20 – Feb 23, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Crawford (1) – Denneny (2) – Skinner (2)
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Noble (2), Randall, Meeking (1), Adams)
Game 21 – Mar 2, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Crawford – Noble – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron (3)
Holmes
(Denneny, Randall (1), Meeking, Adams)
Game 22 – Mar 6, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Noble – Meeking (1) – Crawford
Randall (2) - Cameron
Holmes
(subs unknown)
* Goals-scored is indicted in parentheses.
* Lineups were reported inconsistently during this period, with some game summaries listing left-right-center and others simply listing center-wing-wing. Similarly, some summaries list defense-defense while others list point-cover, and there is never an indication of which side a defenseman played. What you see below is as close to accurate as I could get -- in some games the wing positions are officially verified, while in others they are based on the assumption that the wingers didn't make any changes from their normal assignments.
* This is the only team in which I could confirm the sides that each defenseman played -- according to their team picture, Cameron and Randall played the right side while Mummery played the left. I arbitrarily put Randall on the left side when he started together with Cameron.
Game 1 – Dec 19, 1917 - (@ Wanderers)
Noble (4) – Denneny (2) – Skinner (1)
Randall – Cameron (2)
Hebert
(Meeking, Coughlin, Brooks)
Game 2 – Dec 21, 1917 (vs Ottawa)
Noble (3) – Denneny (3) – Skinner
Randall – Cameron
Brooks
(Meeking (3), Coughlin (2))
Game 3 – Dec 26, 1917 (vs Canadiens)
Noble (1) – Denneny (1) – Skinner
Randall – Cameron (4)
Brooks
(Meeking (1), Coughlin)
Game 4 – Dec 29, 1917 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny – Noble – Skinner
Randall – Cameron (2)
Brooks
(Mummery, Meeking, Coughlin)
Game 5 – January 2, 1918 - (@ Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Denneny (1) – Skinner
Mummery (1) – Cameron
Hebert
(Randall (1), Meeking (1), Coughlin, Brooks)
Game 6 – January 5, 1918 – (vs Wanderers)
Forfeited by Wanderers
Game 7 – January 9, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Noble (1) – Denneny (1) – Randall (1)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Skinner (2), Meeking (1))
Game 8 – January 14, 1918 - (@ Ottawa)
Noble (1) – Denneny (3) – Randall
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Skinner, Meeking (1), Hebert)
Game 9 – January 16, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Denneny (1) – Skinner
Mummery – Randall (2)
Holmes
(Cameron, Meeking)
Game 10 – January 19, 1918 - (@ Canadiens)
Noble – Denneny – Skinner
Mummery (1) – Randall
Holmes
(Cameron, Meeking)
Game 11 – January 26, 1918 - (@ Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Denneny (1) – Randall
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Skinner, Meeking, Marks)
Game 12 – January 28, 1918 - (vs Canadiens)
Noble (2) – Randall (1) – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Denneny, Meeking, Marks)
Game 13 – Feb 2, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny – Randall – Meeking (1)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Skinner (1), Marks)
Game 14 – Feb 4, 1918 - (vs Ottawa)
Noble (3) – Randall (1) – Skinner (1)
Mummery (1) – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Meeking, Denneny (1), Marks)
Game 15 – Feb 9, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Denneny – Randall (2) – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Noble (1), Meeking (2), Adams, Marks)
Game 16 – Feb 11, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Noble – Randall – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny (2), Adams, Meeking, Crawford)
Game 17 – Feb 13, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Noble (2) – Meeking – Skinner (2)
Mummery (1) – Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny (1), Randall, Adams, Crawford)
Game 18 – Feb 18, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Noble – Meeking – Skinner
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny, Randall, Adams, Crawford)
Game 19 – Feb 20, 1918 (@ Canadiens)
Noble (3) – Meeking – Denneny (1)
Mummery – Randall
Holmes
(Cameron, Adams, Crawford)
Game 20 – Feb 23, 1918 (vs Ottawa)
Crawford (1) – Denneny (2) – Skinner (2)
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Noble (2), Randall, Meeking (1), Adams)
Game 21 – Mar 2, 1918 (vs Canadiens)
Crawford – Noble – Skinner (1)
Mummery – Cameron (3)
Holmes
(Denneny, Randall (1), Meeking, Adams)
Game 22 – Mar 6, 1918 (@ Ottawa)
Noble – Meeking (1) – Crawford
Randall (2) - Cameron
Holmes
(subs unknown)
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
NHL Playoffs
Since Montreal and Toronto split the two halves of the regular-season championship, a 2-game total-goals series was necessary to determine the overall champion. Each team would get to host one game.
Game 1 lineups
Montreal
Lalonde(2) – Malone – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(McDonald, Berlinguette, Couture)
Toronto
Randall (1) – Noble – Crawford
Mummery (1) – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Denneny, Adams (1), Skinner, Meeking (3))
Note that Montreal had swapped Lalonde and Malone from their usual positions, and Toronto was playing with Randall at left wing.
Toronto’s basic strategy in the series was to play Malone and Lalonde physically, and deny them entry into prime scoring areas when they had the puck. Evidently Lalonde still managed to break through the defense from time to time, but the Canadiens’ attack as a whole was stifled. By all accounts, Mummery was outstanding in helping contain the Habs’ attack.
In the first game, Toronto raced out to a 3-0 lead on the back of rushes by Cameron and Randall. Both Vezina and Holmes played a strong game, but the game turned against Montreal early due largely to Toronto’s tactic of rushing the puck from the back end and then outnumbering Hab defenders at the goal mouth for rebound opportunities. The Habs hung in for about half the game, but finally cracked and succumbed to the speed and physicality of the Toronto attack. The game was notably hard-hitting, and devolved into a brawl in the closing minutes. Jack Adams scored his first professional goal on a spectacular rush and assist from Harry Cameron.
Due to Toronto’s 7-3 advantage in goals from the first game, it was understood going into the final match at Jubilee Rink that the Habs would need to bring a heavy offensive attack in order to win the series. Jubilee was a natural-ice rink, and the large crowd combined with the mild weather on the 13th of March provided soft ice conditions. This was interpreted as a disadvantage for Toronto, who were used to playing on crisper artificial ice.
Game 2 lineups
Montreal
Malone (1) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Laviolette, McDonald (1), Berlinguette, Couture)
Toronto
Randall – Noble (1) – Crawford (2)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Adams, Skinner, Meeking)
Note Malone and Lalonde back at their usual positions, and Corb Denneny out of the lineup for Toronto.
Though the pressure was on Montreal to score in the second game, Toronto took a “best defense is a good offense†approach and applied heavy offensive pressure of their own. After Reg Noble scored to extend their series lead to 5 goals with only two periods left, Toronto sagged back defensively on the assumption that the lead was insurmountable. With Toronto sitting back and Montreal becoming more reckless to create scoring chances, the tone of play became considerably rougher. Montreal carried the play offensively and chipped away at Toronto’s lead, but a rebound goal by Rusty Crawford effectively sealed the championship. While Lalonde contributed a couple of goals in the third period, he also hurt the Habs with three penalties that not only put them on the defensive but also removed their most potent scoring threat. In the end, Toronto used rapid substitutions and a three-man defense to kill the clock, losing the game 4-3 but maintaining a 10-7 series lead for the league championship.
Ottawa was originally scheduled to play the Canadiens in a sort of silver-medal series, but the games were canceled due to a contract dispute with the host rink.
Since Montreal and Toronto split the two halves of the regular-season championship, a 2-game total-goals series was necessary to determine the overall champion. Each team would get to host one game.
Game 1 lineups
Montreal
Lalonde(2) – Malone – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau (1)
Vezina
(McDonald, Berlinguette, Couture)
Toronto
Randall (1) – Noble – Crawford
Mummery (1) – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Denneny, Adams (1), Skinner, Meeking (3))
Note that Montreal had swapped Lalonde and Malone from their usual positions, and Toronto was playing with Randall at left wing.
Toronto’s basic strategy in the series was to play Malone and Lalonde physically, and deny them entry into prime scoring areas when they had the puck. Evidently Lalonde still managed to break through the defense from time to time, but the Canadiens’ attack as a whole was stifled. By all accounts, Mummery was outstanding in helping contain the Habs’ attack.
In the first game, Toronto raced out to a 3-0 lead on the back of rushes by Cameron and Randall. Both Vezina and Holmes played a strong game, but the game turned against Montreal early due largely to Toronto’s tactic of rushing the puck from the back end and then outnumbering Hab defenders at the goal mouth for rebound opportunities. The Habs hung in for about half the game, but finally cracked and succumbed to the speed and physicality of the Toronto attack. The game was notably hard-hitting, and devolved into a brawl in the closing minutes. Jack Adams scored his first professional goal on a spectacular rush and assist from Harry Cameron.
Due to Toronto’s 7-3 advantage in goals from the first game, it was understood going into the final match at Jubilee Rink that the Habs would need to bring a heavy offensive attack in order to win the series. Jubilee was a natural-ice rink, and the large crowd combined with the mild weather on the 13th of March provided soft ice conditions. This was interpreted as a disadvantage for Toronto, who were used to playing on crisper artificial ice.
Game 2 lineups
Montreal
Malone (1) – Lalonde (2) – Pitre
Hall – Corbeau
Vezina
(Laviolette, McDonald (1), Berlinguette, Couture)
Toronto
Randall – Noble (1) – Crawford (2)
Mummery – Cameron
Holmes
(Adams, Skinner, Meeking)
Note Malone and Lalonde back at their usual positions, and Corb Denneny out of the lineup for Toronto.
Though the pressure was on Montreal to score in the second game, Toronto took a “best defense is a good offense†approach and applied heavy offensive pressure of their own. After Reg Noble scored to extend their series lead to 5 goals with only two periods left, Toronto sagged back defensively on the assumption that the lead was insurmountable. With Toronto sitting back and Montreal becoming more reckless to create scoring chances, the tone of play became considerably rougher. Montreal carried the play offensively and chipped away at Toronto’s lead, but a rebound goal by Rusty Crawford effectively sealed the championship. While Lalonde contributed a couple of goals in the third period, he also hurt the Habs with three penalties that not only put them on the defensive but also removed their most potent scoring threat. In the end, Toronto used rapid substitutions and a three-man defense to kill the clock, losing the game 4-3 but maintaining a 10-7 series lead for the league championship.
Ottawa was originally scheduled to play the Canadiens in a sort of silver-medal series, but the games were canceled due to a contract dispute with the host rink.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Stanley Cup Series
As champions of the NHL, Toronto advanced to play PCHA champion Vancouver for the Stanley Cup (in what was called the “world series†at the time). PCHA president Frank Patrick requested that Mikey Ion be selected as one of the officials in the series; Charles Querrie agreed on the condition that Patrick agree to waive the rule forbidding players signed after February 1 from competing. This would have allowed Rusty Crawford and Jack Adams to take the ice for Toronto, which didn’t seem to be a subject of much dispute. Nevertheless, the bargain fell through and the series proceeded with two eastern referees and a short bench for Toronto. Patrick agreed only to allow Crawford and Adams into the series in case of injury.
In the first game, played under NHL rules, Toronto prevailed 5-3. Evidently Cyclone Taylor had difficulty remembering that he was not allowed to skate ahead of the play, and frequently found himself offside. He was still effective enough to score twice, but the media accolades went to Mickey McKay who dazzled the Toronto crowd. Hugh Lehman also acquitted himself well and kept the score close as the travel-weary and out-of-element Millionaires struggled to organize their attack. Holmes was also noted for his solid game in goal and Meeking was evidently the best forward on the ice for Toronto. Reg Noble scored twice in the first period but went down with a shoulder injury.
Lineups in game 1:
Toronto
Noble (2) – Randall – Skinner (2)
Mummery - Cameron
Holmes
(Meeking (1), Denneny)
Vancouver
Stanley – Taylor (2) – McKay (1)
Griffis – Cook
Lehman
(McDonald, Cook, Moynes)
The second game was played under PCHA rules: 7-man teams, forward passing in the neutral zone, and shorthanded situations during penalties. Toronto had difficulty with the concept of convering forwards that they perceived as offside, and had not much of an idea how to use the extra skater. In particular, Vancouver had great success with the “inside home†pass – a soft cross-ice pass that would land some 20 feet ahead of Taylor or McKay, who would pick it up at such speed that the nearest defender would either be caught flat-footed or be driven back to the net in a panic. Vancouver held a large lead for most of the game and won 6-4. Lehman played his second strong game in a row, and Toronto had little answer for Taylor and McKay other than to slash them into submission. Meeking had another strong game for the home team, as did Skinner.
Lineups in game 2:
Toronto
Meeking – Randall – Skinner (3)
Noble
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Denneny)
Vancouver
Stanley – Taylor (2) – Moynes
McKay (3)
Griffis (1) – Cook
Lehman
(McDonald, Cook)
In the third game, as expected, Toronto got the better of the 6-man game. Vancouver gradually acclimated to the eastern rules, and had developed something of an offensive system (rusher and trailer) that would work for them against the unfamiliar style of defense. However, the game was already well out of hand as they were facing a 5-1 deficit halfway through the game. Noteworthy performances for the Millionaires included McKay, who was noted as the only Vancouver player who defended effectively, and Ran McDonald; and for Toronto, Cameron stood out as an offensive dynamo with highly effective rushes from the back end.
Lineups in game 3:
Toronto
Meeking - Noble – Skinner (2)
Mummery – Cameron (2)
Holmes
(Denneny (2), Randall)
Vancouver
McDonald (1) – Taylor (2) – McKay
Griffis – Cook
Lehman
(Stanley, Moynes, Cook)
Game four was more of the same – Toronto baffled by the western rules, and Vancouver dominant in their element. Evidently Toronto had some notion of using the rover as a third defenseman, but that came to nothing. Toronto had a tendency toward rough play throughout the season, and that became a factor under the western rules that permitted shorthanded situations. As the game ground on and the Millionaires expanded what would eventually become an 8-1 lead, Toronto led a parade to the penalty box which only made matters worse for them. Holmes also had a weak game, the first by either goaltender in the series. Harry Cameron was the only notably effective player for the home side, while virtually every Vancouver player had a strong game. McKay in particular was spectacular at both ends of the rink, and Si Griffis shook off his poor performance two nights earlier to play his best game of the series.
Lineups in game 4:
Toronto
Meeking – Randall (1) – Skinner
Noble
Mummery - Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny)
Vancouver
Stanley (2) – Taylor (2) – Moynes
McKay (1)
Griffis – Cook (2)
Lehman
(McDonald (1), Cook)
The tie after the first four games forced a winner-take-all fifth game. The rules shifted back to the NHL standard. This was easily the most evenly-played and tightest-checking game of the series, with Vancouver having evidently figured out how to stymie Toronto’s offense in the 5-man game. No significant roughness was noted, but the number of penalties was so high that Toronto ran out of substitutes, forcing Vancouver to voluntarily play a man down to maintain even strength (note that under western rules the outcome of those situations would have been quite different). Scoreless through two periods, and tied 1-1 with minutes remaining, the game was decided on a spectacular individual rush by Corb Denneny through the heart of the Millionaires defense. Vancouver made a last desperate push to tie, but Toronto went into a shell and held on for the Cup victory.
Lineups in game 5:
Toronto
Meeking – Noble – Skinner (1)
Mummery - Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny (1), Randall)
Vancouver
McKay – Taylor (1) – McDonald
Griffis – Cook
Lehman
(Stanley, Moynes, Cook)
Before he departed Toronto for the west coast, PCHA president Frank Patrick spoke nicely about the host team but had some less-kind remarks about the Toronto police (echoing Kennedy’s complaints earlier in the season) and about the open gambling that went on in the arena.
Owing to both teams’ struggles to adjust to the rules and the strong implication that Toronto won the Cup simply by having played 3 out of 5 games under their own rulebook, this series was the occasion of early talks about establishing a universal set of rules in order to create better competition between the pro leagues.
As champions of the NHL, Toronto advanced to play PCHA champion Vancouver for the Stanley Cup (in what was called the “world series†at the time). PCHA president Frank Patrick requested that Mikey Ion be selected as one of the officials in the series; Charles Querrie agreed on the condition that Patrick agree to waive the rule forbidding players signed after February 1 from competing. This would have allowed Rusty Crawford and Jack Adams to take the ice for Toronto, which didn’t seem to be a subject of much dispute. Nevertheless, the bargain fell through and the series proceeded with two eastern referees and a short bench for Toronto. Patrick agreed only to allow Crawford and Adams into the series in case of injury.
In the first game, played under NHL rules, Toronto prevailed 5-3. Evidently Cyclone Taylor had difficulty remembering that he was not allowed to skate ahead of the play, and frequently found himself offside. He was still effective enough to score twice, but the media accolades went to Mickey McKay who dazzled the Toronto crowd. Hugh Lehman also acquitted himself well and kept the score close as the travel-weary and out-of-element Millionaires struggled to organize their attack. Holmes was also noted for his solid game in goal and Meeking was evidently the best forward on the ice for Toronto. Reg Noble scored twice in the first period but went down with a shoulder injury.
Lineups in game 1:
Toronto
Noble (2) – Randall – Skinner (2)
Mummery - Cameron
Holmes
(Meeking (1), Denneny)
Vancouver
Stanley – Taylor (2) – McKay (1)
Griffis – Cook
Lehman
(McDonald, Cook, Moynes)
The second game was played under PCHA rules: 7-man teams, forward passing in the neutral zone, and shorthanded situations during penalties. Toronto had difficulty with the concept of convering forwards that they perceived as offside, and had not much of an idea how to use the extra skater. In particular, Vancouver had great success with the “inside home†pass – a soft cross-ice pass that would land some 20 feet ahead of Taylor or McKay, who would pick it up at such speed that the nearest defender would either be caught flat-footed or be driven back to the net in a panic. Vancouver held a large lead for most of the game and won 6-4. Lehman played his second strong game in a row, and Toronto had little answer for Taylor and McKay other than to slash them into submission. Meeking had another strong game for the home team, as did Skinner.
Lineups in game 2:
Toronto
Meeking – Randall – Skinner (3)
Noble
Mummery – Cameron (1)
Holmes
(Denneny)
Vancouver
Stanley – Taylor (2) – Moynes
McKay (3)
Griffis (1) – Cook
Lehman
(McDonald, Cook)
In the third game, as expected, Toronto got the better of the 6-man game. Vancouver gradually acclimated to the eastern rules, and had developed something of an offensive system (rusher and trailer) that would work for them against the unfamiliar style of defense. However, the game was already well out of hand as they were facing a 5-1 deficit halfway through the game. Noteworthy performances for the Millionaires included McKay, who was noted as the only Vancouver player who defended effectively, and Ran McDonald; and for Toronto, Cameron stood out as an offensive dynamo with highly effective rushes from the back end.
Lineups in game 3:
Toronto
Meeking - Noble – Skinner (2)
Mummery – Cameron (2)
Holmes
(Denneny (2), Randall)
Vancouver
McDonald (1) – Taylor (2) – McKay
Griffis – Cook
Lehman
(Stanley, Moynes, Cook)
Game four was more of the same – Toronto baffled by the western rules, and Vancouver dominant in their element. Evidently Toronto had some notion of using the rover as a third defenseman, but that came to nothing. Toronto had a tendency toward rough play throughout the season, and that became a factor under the western rules that permitted shorthanded situations. As the game ground on and the Millionaires expanded what would eventually become an 8-1 lead, Toronto led a parade to the penalty box which only made matters worse for them. Holmes also had a weak game, the first by either goaltender in the series. Harry Cameron was the only notably effective player for the home side, while virtually every Vancouver player had a strong game. McKay in particular was spectacular at both ends of the rink, and Si Griffis shook off his poor performance two nights earlier to play his best game of the series.
Lineups in game 4:
Toronto
Meeking – Randall (1) – Skinner
Noble
Mummery - Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny)
Vancouver
Stanley (2) – Taylor (2) – Moynes
McKay (1)
Griffis – Cook (2)
Lehman
(McDonald (1), Cook)
The tie after the first four games forced a winner-take-all fifth game. The rules shifted back to the NHL standard. This was easily the most evenly-played and tightest-checking game of the series, with Vancouver having evidently figured out how to stymie Toronto’s offense in the 5-man game. No significant roughness was noted, but the number of penalties was so high that Toronto ran out of substitutes, forcing Vancouver to voluntarily play a man down to maintain even strength (note that under western rules the outcome of those situations would have been quite different). Scoreless through two periods, and tied 1-1 with minutes remaining, the game was decided on a spectacular individual rush by Corb Denneny through the heart of the Millionaires defense. Vancouver made a last desperate push to tie, but Toronto went into a shell and held on for the Cup victory.
Lineups in game 5:
Toronto
Meeking – Noble – Skinner (1)
Mummery - Cameron
Holmes
(Denneny (1), Randall)
Vancouver
McKay – Taylor (1) – McDonald
Griffis – Cook
Lehman
(Stanley, Moynes, Cook)
Before he departed Toronto for the west coast, PCHA president Frank Patrick spoke nicely about the host team but had some less-kind remarks about the Toronto police (echoing Kennedy’s complaints earlier in the season) and about the open gambling that went on in the arena.
Owing to both teams’ struggles to adjust to the rules and the strong implication that Toronto won the Cup simply by having played 3 out of 5 games under their own rulebook, this series was the occasion of early talks about establishing a universal set of rules in order to create better competition between the pro leagues.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Miscellaneous
Canadiens manager George Kennedy complained publicly that the Toronto police were stationed behind the penalty bench in order to intimidate visiting players, threatening to arrest them if they repeated their infractions. Toronto’s manager, Charles Querrie, responded by sending personal invitations to league president Frank Calder and Montreal mayor Mederic Martin, as well as a blanket invitation to the Montreal press, to attend the following game in Toronto and see for themselves. There is no indication that the offers were accepted.
Ironically it was near the end of that very same game in which Joe Hall (Montreal) and Alf Skinner (Toronto) were arrested for simple assault after a brief. The two were taken to lockup where Querrie posted bail. According to Kennedy, it was only because he threatened to personally pursue a warrant for Skinner that the police agreed to arrest him. Their sentences for assault were suspended, so neither player faced serious legal consequences. Calder said that he couldn’t offer an opinion on the incident because he hadn’t seen it... having turned down Querrie’s invitation to attend. In their next game in Montreal, a fan was forcibly removed from the arena after throwing a bottle at Skinner. Calder attended that game, and fined both players $15 after discussing the matter with them in person.
Toronto’s Ken Randall also ran afoul of the authorities as he was fined repeatedly for abusing the referees; in the last instance, he was ordered to settle his unpaid fines or face indefinite suspension. As a lighthearted jab at the officials, Randall brought a stack of bills and a large bag of coins to the next game – the bag ended up being jabbed by player’s stick and bursting, showering the ice with 300 pennies. Not only players, but children from the crowd joined in the scramble to collect the loose change.
There was a mid-season concern that Monday night games might need to be delayed, due to a wartime restriction which closed entertainment venues on Mondays. The idea was to reduce the amount of fuel that was being used to heat theaters, bars, etc during the wintertime, and perhaps Mondays seemed like the least-inconvenient day of the week to shut them down. In any case, the NHL was granted an exception since it had already sold tickets for the Monday games.
Clint Benedict, who was already having a fine season, got a helping hand from the league on January 9th. “Praying Benny” was already the subject of frequent warnings for falling to his knees, though refs seemed reluctant to apply a penalty for the foul. The league considered goalie-flopping to be a fait accompli and did away with the rule requiring goalies to stay on their feet.
Late in the season, Ottawa experimented with an innovative system of substitution. Due to complaints about frostbite and muscle cramps in the frigid bench area, the Senators arranged to have their substitutes sit in a heated room when not on the ice. They were then summoned to play by an “electric bell”, arriving on the ice warm and relatively comfortable. Apparently the strategy worked well.
Newsy Lalonde was probably missed by the Canadiens when he took a leave of abscence during the stretch run to tend to his sick father, but it’s a good thing he put family priorities over hockey. On the same day the Habs were crushed 8-0 by the Sens, Lalonde arrived at his family home to find the house filled with coal gas. His quick action in ventilating the house and summoning a medic likely saved the lives of both his parents, not to mention his wife and niece as well.
Going into the final week of the season, there was a brief period of concern that the season might end up with a perfect three-way gridlock. A newspaper reckoned that if Toronto had lost their final two games by 4 and 11 goals respectively, all three teams would have finished in identical standing. That in turn would have confounded the 2-team playoff system, and there was no plan for what to do next.
Sarcastic headline in the Toronto World after a sloppy and spiritless game: “Canadiens Scored Less ThanToronto”
Canadiens manager George Kennedy complained publicly that the Toronto police were stationed behind the penalty bench in order to intimidate visiting players, threatening to arrest them if they repeated their infractions. Toronto’s manager, Charles Querrie, responded by sending personal invitations to league president Frank Calder and Montreal mayor Mederic Martin, as well as a blanket invitation to the Montreal press, to attend the following game in Toronto and see for themselves. There is no indication that the offers were accepted.
Ironically it was near the end of that very same game in which Joe Hall (Montreal) and Alf Skinner (Toronto) were arrested for simple assault after a brief. The two were taken to lockup where Querrie posted bail. According to Kennedy, it was only because he threatened to personally pursue a warrant for Skinner that the police agreed to arrest him. Their sentences for assault were suspended, so neither player faced serious legal consequences. Calder said that he couldn’t offer an opinion on the incident because he hadn’t seen it... having turned down Querrie’s invitation to attend. In their next game in Montreal, a fan was forcibly removed from the arena after throwing a bottle at Skinner. Calder attended that game, and fined both players $15 after discussing the matter with them in person.
Toronto’s Ken Randall also ran afoul of the authorities as he was fined repeatedly for abusing the referees; in the last instance, he was ordered to settle his unpaid fines or face indefinite suspension. As a lighthearted jab at the officials, Randall brought a stack of bills and a large bag of coins to the next game – the bag ended up being jabbed by player’s stick and bursting, showering the ice with 300 pennies. Not only players, but children from the crowd joined in the scramble to collect the loose change.
There was a mid-season concern that Monday night games might need to be delayed, due to a wartime restriction which closed entertainment venues on Mondays. The idea was to reduce the amount of fuel that was being used to heat theaters, bars, etc during the wintertime, and perhaps Mondays seemed like the least-inconvenient day of the week to shut them down. In any case, the NHL was granted an exception since it had already sold tickets for the Monday games.
Clint Benedict, who was already having a fine season, got a helping hand from the league on January 9th. “Praying Benny” was already the subject of frequent warnings for falling to his knees, though refs seemed reluctant to apply a penalty for the foul. The league considered goalie-flopping to be a fait accompli and did away with the rule requiring goalies to stay on their feet.
Late in the season, Ottawa experimented with an innovative system of substitution. Due to complaints about frostbite and muscle cramps in the frigid bench area, the Senators arranged to have their substitutes sit in a heated room when not on the ice. They were then summoned to play by an “electric bell”, arriving on the ice warm and relatively comfortable. Apparently the strategy worked well.
Newsy Lalonde was probably missed by the Canadiens when he took a leave of abscence during the stretch run to tend to his sick father, but it’s a good thing he put family priorities over hockey. On the same day the Habs were crushed 8-0 by the Sens, Lalonde arrived at his family home to find the house filled with coal gas. His quick action in ventilating the house and summoning a medic likely saved the lives of both his parents, not to mention his wife and niece as well.
Going into the final week of the season, there was a brief period of concern that the season might end up with a perfect three-way gridlock. A newspaper reckoned that if Toronto had lost their final two games by 4 and 11 goals respectively, all three teams would have finished in identical standing. That in turn would have confounded the 2-team playoff system, and there was no plan for what to do next.
Sarcastic headline in the Toronto World after a sloppy and spiritless game: “Canadiens Scored Less ThanToronto”
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
So that's all I have. If anyone knows of additional info about this season, please share! Particularly anything that might be detailed in a history or memoir that others might not be able to access.
BM67
Registered User
Hebert gave up 5 goals in the first period and was replaced by Brooks. Brooks also surrendered 5 goals in his 2 periods of play. This is the only in game goalie substitution during the season.
It also was the only case of a goalie replacing a goalie in a NHL game until Vezina's last game in the 1925-26 season.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Wow, I noticed the substitution but had no idea it was THAT unique.
Querrie really didn't like that goalie tandem
Wow, I noticed the substitution but had no idea it was THAT unique.
Querrie really didn't like that goalie tandem
First of all great summary. Don´t really have anything to add.
Also I believe that Sammy Hebert was the first(?) player in NHL to get traded so yeah he wasn´t loved by Toronto. (February 11, 1918 - Traded to Ottawa by Toronto for cash.)
In NHA many teams had spare goalies, but it was rarity in early NHL. Small correction. I do believe that St.Patricks did switch goalies few times in 1919-1920 season.
http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?H19190035
http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?H19190038
http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?H19190011
http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?H19190024
Howard "Holes" Lockhart and Ivan "Mike" Mitchell wasn´t the greatest tandem. To be fair both were WW1 veterans and its small miracle that they even played in NHL. Mike Mitchell missed many seasons (enlisted after PCHA season 1914-1915) and had rough time in war http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mL9XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K_QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6493%2C188911. There is "small" mistake in that. Actually he was "only" wounded in Battle of Passchendaele and was "progressing satisfactorily".
The newspaper said Mitchell died in 1917. Interested I went and looked further into him and I found out that other sources listed his death as 1942. Am I looking at the wrong Mitchell or is something going on...
Edit: NVM
alko
Registered User
.... ormation of a new professional league to replace the NHA ....
Was it really strictly professional? I mean, were all the players paid for his job? did they live from playing ice-hockey?
Or they had also another jobs?
Was it really strictly professional? I mean, were all the players paid for his job? did they live from playing ice-hockey?
Or they had also another jobs?
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Strictly professional in the sense that they were getting paid to play, yes.
An anecdote to illustrate this point: on opening night, with all 4 teams in action, the Habs/Sens game was delayed because some of the players wanted a pay increase commensurate to the length of the schedule (the NHA had played only 20 games). One can only imagine how embarrassing it was for the new league to have a labor stoppage delay the very first game. Imagine the red-faced execs peeking out at the fidgety opening-night crowd...
But, that delay is the reason we can be sure that the Wanderers' Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history, in the opening minutes of the other game which started on time.
Yes, the players generally made their living during the winter months exclusively from playing hockey. They had other jobs during the offseason and due to the war, a few had military commitments as well (Nighbor, Bruce jump to mind). In a few cases it seems as though certain players were distracted by family businesses or partnerships during the season.
Kale Makar
Lets go Aves?
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Minor note - Eddie Lowrey of the Senators was forced to drop out after 11 games since the team had exceeded its salary limit.
ted2019
History of Hockey
how do you get those box scores on Flyers history? I've tried searching that far back but to no luck.
@ted1971 Same way as the newer ones, but they haven´t yet compiled that many seasons from the early NHL (1917-1927 IIRC). It´s time taking task.
i looked at ottawa's '18 season quite a bit when i was researching nighbor.
ottawa with nighbor:
5 wins, 4 losses
39 GF -- (4.33 GFA)
36 GA -- (4.00 GAA)
ottawa without nighbor:
4 wins, 9 losses
63 GF -- (4.85 GFA)
78 GA -- (6.00 GAA)
joe malone and newsy lalonde's scoring was drastically different depending on whether nighbor was playing for ottawa.
newsy lalonde's scoring vs ottawa
dec 19: 1g, 1a (without nighbor)
jan 5: 3g, 1a (without)
jan 12: 2g (without)
jan 21: did not play (without)
jan 23: did not play (without ----------------- ottawa wins
jan 30: did not play (without)
feb 6: did not play (with nighbor) ---------- ottawa wins
feb 16: 2g (without)
feb 25: did not play (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
feb 27: 1g (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
ottawa without nighbor: lalonde scored 8g, 2a in 4 games.
with nighbor: lalonde scored 1g in 1 game
benedict had a great game on feb 27th, though, so it was certainly not all about nighbor.
joe malone's scoring vs ottawa
dec 19: 5g (without nighbor)
jan 5: 2g (without)
jan 12: 5g, 2a (without)
jan 21: 1g (without)
jan 23: 2g (without) ----------------- ottawa wins
jan 30: 4g (without)
feb 6: 1g (with nighbor) --------------- ottawa wins
feb 16: 4g (without)
feb 25: 0g (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
feb 27: 0g (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
nighbor out: 1-6 record, malone scored 23g, 2a.
nighbor in: 3-0 record, malone scored 1g.
joe malone scored 44g in 22 games. 23 of the 44 were scored in just 7 games against ottawa when nighbor was out. seems to me to put a giant asterisk on his legendary season.
habs and toronto had the same record at the end of the season, and habs had better GF and GA, but these stats vs ottawa also make me think that habs' overall statistics were inflated by destroying an undermanned ottawa team, and that toronto may have been a stronger team.
there may be similar effects for other players b/c of the unusual circumstances of the '18 season. it was reg noble's best season offensively by quite a lot.
noble scored 4g in his only game against the wanderers.
noble vs ottawa without nighbor: 11g, 1a, 12p in 5 games
noble vs ottawa with nighbor: 7g, 4a, 11p in 5 games (in one of these games, nighbor was a sub, and noble scored 3+1)
counting only games where nighbor started, noble had 4g, 3a, 7p in 4 games, which is not too far from his average for the season.
i have ottawa at -22 goal differential during that 1-6 span (17 GF, 39 GA). nighbor and gerard did not play (both sick) in the 10-4 loss to the habs, and nighbor played only as a sub in the 8-2 loss to toronto, so it seems misleading to say they finally got nighbor and got over their injury woes, but went into a tailspin.
this was the time of the great influenza pandemic, so i wonder if they had flu. one paper mentioned nighbor getting an inoculation.
feb 14th toronto world newpaper said clint benedict was in a "disastrous slump" (6-1 loss to toronto), but it seems like that comment could refer only to that game. benedict was allowing a lot of GA in some losses, but it was a very high scoring period, and reports of earlier games don't mention him playing poorly. ottawa citizen, which usually has the longest articles on hockey, is unreadable for these games, though.
feb 5 toronto world only mentioned that benedict provided some comedy by skating with the puck to center ice, giving the audience the impression that he was trying to score a goal. hugh lehman did the same thing in '21 finals, iirc, but actually shot it and hit the crossbar.
based on what i remember from newspaper reports, toronto seemed to be a more defensive minded team that ottawa, but that might be just b/c ottawa was missing players regularly. seems to me ottawa's great team D really only came into being in the next season.
ottawa with nighbor:
5 wins, 4 losses
39 GF -- (4.33 GFA)
36 GA -- (4.00 GAA)
ottawa without nighbor:
4 wins, 9 losses
63 GF -- (4.85 GFA)
78 GA -- (6.00 GAA)
joe malone and newsy lalonde's scoring was drastically different depending on whether nighbor was playing for ottawa.
newsy lalonde's scoring vs ottawa
dec 19: 1g, 1a (without nighbor)
jan 5: 3g, 1a (without)
jan 12: 2g (without)
jan 21: did not play (without)
jan 23: did not play (without ----------------- ottawa wins
jan 30: did not play (without)
feb 6: did not play (with nighbor) ---------- ottawa wins
feb 16: 2g (without)
feb 25: did not play (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
feb 27: 1g (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
ottawa without nighbor: lalonde scored 8g, 2a in 4 games.
with nighbor: lalonde scored 1g in 1 game
benedict had a great game on feb 27th, though, so it was certainly not all about nighbor.
joe malone's scoring vs ottawa
dec 19: 5g (without nighbor)
jan 5: 2g (without)
jan 12: 5g, 2a (without)
jan 21: 1g (without)
jan 23: 2g (without) ----------------- ottawa wins
jan 30: 4g (without)
feb 6: 1g (with nighbor) --------------- ottawa wins
feb 16: 4g (without)
feb 25: 0g (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
feb 27: 0g (with nighbor) ------------------- ottawa wins
nighbor out: 1-6 record, malone scored 23g, 2a.
nighbor in: 3-0 record, malone scored 1g.
joe malone scored 44g in 22 games. 23 of the 44 were scored in just 7 games against ottawa when nighbor was out. seems to me to put a giant asterisk on his legendary season.
habs and toronto had the same record at the end of the season, and habs had better GF and GA, but these stats vs ottawa also make me think that habs' overall statistics were inflated by destroying an undermanned ottawa team, and that toronto may have been a stronger team.
there may be similar effects for other players b/c of the unusual circumstances of the '18 season. it was reg noble's best season offensively by quite a lot.
noble scored 4g in his only game against the wanderers.
noble vs ottawa without nighbor: 11g, 1a, 12p in 5 games
noble vs ottawa with nighbor: 7g, 4a, 11p in 5 games (in one of these games, nighbor was a sub, and noble scored 3+1)
counting only games where nighbor started, noble had 4g, 3a, 7p in 4 games, which is not too far from his average for the season.
i don't know if the bold is true. ottawa beat the habs 3-1 in the only game which saw both teams with full rosters.
i have ottawa at -22 goal differential during that 1-6 span (17 GF, 39 GA). nighbor and gerard did not play (both sick) in the 10-4 loss to the habs, and nighbor played only as a sub in the 8-2 loss to toronto, so it seems misleading to say they finally got nighbor and got over their injury woes, but went into a tailspin.
this was the time of the great influenza pandemic, so i wonder if they had flu. one paper mentioned nighbor getting an inoculation.
feb 14th toronto world newpaper said clint benedict was in a "disastrous slump" (6-1 loss to toronto), but it seems like that comment could refer only to that game. benedict was allowing a lot of GA in some losses, but it was a very high scoring period, and reports of earlier games don't mention him playing poorly. ottawa citizen, which usually has the longest articles on hockey, is unreadable for these games, though.
feb 5 toronto world only mentioned that benedict provided some comedy by skating with the puck to center ice, giving the audience the impression that he was trying to score a goal. hugh lehman did the same thing in '21 finals, iirc, but actually shot it and hit the crossbar.
based on what i remember from newspaper reports, toronto seemed to be a more defensive minded team that ottawa, but that might be just b/c ottawa was missing players regularly. seems to me ottawa's great team D really only came into being in the next season.
