Game 008
Canadiens 9, Arenas 0
Monday, February 18, 1918
Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario
Not to be outdone by the Food Controller, the Fuel Controller and other dignitaries who have decreed certain “less” days, the Toronto professional team of the National Hockey League decided to turn in a “scoreless” game, presenting last night’s fixture at the Arena to the Canadiens by a score of 9 to 0.
Startling is hardly the word to apply to the reversal of form shown by the Blue Shirts. As an exhibition of hockey it was clever farce comedy. All the elements that go to make good burlesque were presented for the benefit of the crowded Arena, and the expressions of the fans as they wended their ways homeward indicated that they thoroughly appreciated the whimsicalities indulged in by Toronto’s “hired men.”
In only the first ten minutes of the game – it could not be called a contest – did the Toronto team show anything that a backyard squad would be proud of. In the opening minutes of played, the essayed to check the Canadiens and even ventured a sally or two of their own against the defence of the Frenchmen. After that, they played as if they were weak from lack of food and sleep. The Canadiens secured one goal in the first period, six in the second, and two in the final chapter.
While the game was everything but good hockey, a few of the Blue Shirts attempted to make it appear a contest. Harry Mummery, the giant defence player, worked hard, if ineffectively, all night. Corbett Denneny and “Rusty” Crawford, too, put a little “ginger” into their play, but the others were little better than spectators.
There was an utter lack of combined effort, accuracy of shooting and back checking that gave the Canadiens their victory. On the other hand, the visitors presented a well balanced, smooth working combination, and deadly shooting that was practically invincible.
It cannot be said that any one of the Toronto team was anywhere near top form, while the Canadiens played clever hockey from start to finish. Even Jack Laviolette, the Canadiens’ substitute, who has been playing hockey for almost a score of years, and whose inability to get goals – despite his superb skating – is notorious, counted for his team last night.
Story originally published in The Globe, February 19, 1918
BOXSCORE
1st Period
MTL GOAL – 14:00 – Pitre (Corbeau)
2nd Period
MTL GOAL – 04:00 – Malone (Lalonde)
MTL GOAL – 05:00 – Hall (Malone)
MTL GOAL – 07:00 – Pitre (Lalonde)
MTL GOAL – 12:00 – Lalonde
MTL GOAL – 15:00 – Hall
MTL GOAL – 18:00 – Laviolette (Hall)
3rd Period
MTL GOAL – 12:00 – Malone (Pitre)
MTL GOAL – 18:00 – Lalonde
Penalties
MTL – Lalonde, McDonald
TOR – Randall
GOALTENDERS
MTL – Vézina (W + SO)
TOR – Holmes (L)
ROSTERS
MTL – Goaltenders: Georges Vézina. Defence: Bert Corbeau, Joe Hall, Jack Laviolette. Forwards: Louis Berlinquette, Newsy Lalonde (C), Joe Malone, Jack McDonald, Didier Pitre.
TOR – Goaltenders: Hap Holmes. Defence: Harry Cameron, Harry Mummery. Forwards: Jack Adams, Rusty Crawford, Corb Denneny, Harry Meeking, Reg Noble, Ken Randall (C), Alf Skinner.
TEAM RECORDS
MTL – 12-6-0 (.667)
TOR – 11-7-0 (.611)
Two Solitudes 