Game 013
Canadiens 7, Arenas 6
Tuesday, January 7, 1919
Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario
The Canadiens last night assumed the lead in the National Hockey League race when they defeated the Arenas by the close score of 7 to 6.
The game was one of the most sensational ever seen on local ice, and the visitors won mainly because Newsy Lalonde played brilliant hockey throughout. The famous hockeyist was never seen to better advantage in this city, and his spectacular and dangerous rushes proved the undoing of the Arenas.
“Joe” Malone and Pitre did not accompany the visitors, and it was thought that the team would suffer to such a degree that a victory was hardly possible. However, both Berlinquette and Coutu, who acted as substitutes, played great hockey, and the latter surprised the fans by his clever display. As a general rule he indulges in rough tactics, but last night he settled down to business and did not merit a penalty.
Hall and Corbeau were in rare form on the defence, and the former notched two well earned counters. Vézina was the same reliable net guardian as usual, and stopped many bullet like drives from Denneny and Cameron. All in all, the Canadiens appear to be a formidable team, and will take a lot of beating for the championship.
The Arenas worked like trojans throughout, and never gave up trying. Harry Cameron made many sensational rushes and scored two goals, while Noble showed flashes of his real form on occasions. Denneny did some great back checking, but he showed overeagerness when near the net, and as a result, many splendid opportunities were wasted.
The downfall of the locals surprised the large crowd, and they were at a loss to understand how their favourites, who appeared to have an edge on the play, were unable to pull out a win. However, the explanation is not hard to find when one considers the heady work indulged in by Lalonde.
This veteran of many bitterly fought contests saved himself in the early stages, and when he was most needed, gave one of the most dazzling displays of his career. He secured the goal that placed the visitors on even terms with the locals by completely outguessing Cameron, Noble and Lindsay in turn. With the players battling at a heartbreaking pace to break the tie, Lalonde skated down the side, drew the defence out, and passed to Corbeau, who was uncovered near the net. The latter tallied, and the game was won and lost right there.
The Arenas had the edge on the play in the initial period, and outscored the Flying Frenchmen 2 to 1. Lalonde, in attempting to round the net, struck his head on the goal post and left the game.
The Canadiens forced the matter in the second period and Cleghorn scored from well in. The Arenas then set up a terrific pace, and for the next eighteen minutes, the fans were treated to as fast and exciting hockey as was ever witnessed here. The play traveled with lightning like rapidity from one end of the rink to the other, and the thrills were many. Meeking, Cameron and Noble scored for the Arenas, and Hall did the trick twice for the visitors. The locals led at the rest interval by 5 to 4.
The last period was mostly in favour of the Canadiens, due to the playing of Lalonde. He scored twice and assisted in a third counter, while Skinner notched one for the locals.
Story originally published in The Globe, January 8, 1919
BOXSCORE
1st Period
TOR GOAL – 05:00 – Cameron (Denneny)
TOR GOAL – 16:00 – Crawford (Cameron)
MTL GOAL – 19:00 – Cleghorn (Berlinquette)
2nd Period
MTL GOAL – 02:00 – Cleghorn (Coutu)
MTL GOAL – 03:30 – Hall
TOR GOAL – 10:30 – Meeking (Crawford)
3rd Period
TOR GOAL – 04:00 – Crawford (Cameron)
MTL GOAL – 04:20 – Hall (Coutu)
TOR GOAL – 06:20 – Noble (Skinner)
MTL GOAL – 07:20 – Lalonde (Corbeau)
TOR GOAL – 15:20 – Skinner (Crawford)
MTL GOAL – 17:20 – Lalonde
MTL GOAL – 19:20 – Corbeau (Lalonde)
Penalties
MTL – Cleghorn (2)
TOR – none
GOALTENDERS
MTL – Vézina (W)
TOR – Lindsay (L)
ROSTERS
MTL – Goaltenders: Georges Vézina. Defence: Bert Corbeau, Billy Coutu, Joe Hall. Forwards: Louis Berlinquette, Odie Cleghorn, Newsy Lalonde (C), Jack McDonald.
TOR – Goaltenders: Bert Lindsay. Defence: Harry Cameron. Forwards: Jack Adams, Rusty Crawford, Corb Denneny, Harry Meeking, Reg Noble, Ken Randall, Alf Skinner.
TEAM RECORDS
MTL – 4-2-0 (.667)
TOR – 1-4-0 (.200)
Two Solitudes 