Game 049
Canadiens 5, St. Pats 3
Saturday, February 10, 1923
Aréna Mont-Royal, Montréal, Québec
The Canadiens made an important advance in the National Hockey League race when they defeated Toronto Saturday evening by 5 to 3. The victory, for the time being at least, reduces the threat of the St. Pats to take second place in the standing, the local club having a margin of three points over the Irishmen and being one point behind Ottawa, who defeated Hamilton Saturday night.
The Canadiens had no sinecure, and it was not until after eighteen minutes of the final period had elapsed that Odie Cleghorn scored and finally left the issue safe for the French Canadian team.
Toronto’s chances at the start of the last period were spoiled for a time while Cameron was taking an enforced rest on the penalty bench, but the two teams battled on until near the end of the session, when Odie Cleghorn finally went through and gave the Canadiens the goal that spelled defeat for the St. Patricks. Finally Randall made a rush, but was s topped short by a heavy bodycheck from Coutu. Randall was spilled to the ice, and the chances of a goal disappeared.
Noble was incensed at the play, and in no unmeasured terms, told Cooper Smeaton what he thought of the affair. The official promptly gave Noble a minor penalty, but when the offender continued to voice his opinions, the penalty was increased and a fine of $50 was added.
The Canadiens were sound on the defence, Sprague Cleghorn and Coutu being all but impassable. The three goals scored against Vézina resulted from scrambles in front of the local net.
While Dye was on the ice, he was closely watched by the two Canadien defence players, and was heavily bodied every time he attempted to get through. The heavy checking had its ultimate effect, and Dye was worn out by the final period and his effectiveness gone. Coutu and Sprague Cleghorn were each given one minor penalty for meeting the Toronto star too heavily.
Story originally published in The Globe, February 12, 1923
BOXSCORE
1st Period
MTL SH GOAL – 14:45 – Boucher
MTL SH GOAL – 16:45 – Boucher
MTL GOAL – 17:50 – Coutu
MTL PEN – S. Cleghorn
2nd Period
MTL GOAL – 01:45 – Boucher (Joliat)
TOR GOAL – 03:50 – Dye (Adams)
TOR GOAL – 11:25 – Noble (Cameron)
TOR GOAL – 11:50 – Dye (Adams)
MTL PENS – Boucher, O. Cleghorn
TOR PEN – Cameron
3rd Period
MTL GOAL – 18:20 – O. Cleghorn
MTL PEN – Coutu
TOR PEN – Noble (major)
GOALTENDERS
MTL – Vézina (W)
TOR – Roach (L)
ROSTERS
MTL – Goaltenders: Georges Vézina. Defence: Sprague Cleghorn (C), Billy Coutu. Forwards: Billy Bell, Louis Berlinquette, Billy Boucher, Odie Cleghorn, Aurèle Joliat, Joe Malone, Didier Pitre.
TOR – Goaltenders: John Ross Roach. Defence: Harry Cameron, Billy Stuart. Forwards: Jack Adams, Lloyd Andrews, Babe Dye, Reg Noble, Ken Randall.
TEAM RECORDS
MTL – 9-6-2 (.588)
TOR – 8-8-1 (.500)
Two Solitudes 