Game 062
Canadiens 3, St. Pats 1
Saturday, January 3, 1925
Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario
Despite the hard battle that they went through at Hamilton last Thursday night, the Canadiens had enough reserve power left to defeat the St. Patricks here on Saturday by 3 to 1.
The visitors lacked the snap and dash that is nearly always characteristic of their play, but by making better use of their substitutes than they generally do, and by sticking closely to a defensive game after they had secured a two goal lead, they managed to hold the Irish at bay.
The St. Patricks invariably play their worst hockey here. They won at Montréal last Wednesday, and were expected to defeat the Stanley Cup holders, but for the “‘steenth” time this season they failed when their prospects seemed brightest. It was thought that the locals would try to bodycheck the tired champions into submission in the early stages, but they played the puck instead of the man, and gave the visitors a chance to get into a winning stride.
Aurèle Joliat, the leading marksman in the league, boosted his scoring total to 20, when he counted twice after following in fast on rebounds. Morenz got the other Canadien goal, while Babe Dye was the successful Toronto attacker.
Play was strenuous at times, and “Toots” Holway was always in the thick of it. He had several exciting brushes with Sprague Cleghorn and Billy Coutu, and did not come out second best. Holway also played good hockey; in fact, his best since he joined the professionals.
The fans did not get much chance to enthuse over the play. The St. Patricks proved a disappointment, and it was all too apparent that the visitors were not at their best. Slashing and tripping and numerous offside plays added to the troubles of the referee. Once Dye scored, but was away offside, and the tally was promptly disallowed.
The victory put the Canadiens back in first place, tied with Hamilton, as the latter lost at Ottawa. These teams have a long lead, and if they maintain a fifty-fifty pace from now until the finish will be up near the top. Montréal appear to be weakening after playing good hockey for three weeks, and Ottawa are advancing rapidly back into a strong contending position. The St. Patricks will have to start a winning streak soon, or they will be out of the running. Boston, of course, are the joke of the league after losing ten straight games. Coach Art Ross has thus set a record that will take some beating.
Morenz got the first goal of the game three minutes after the referee sent them on their way. The ex-Stratford flash went around the defence and beat Roach from close range. Joliat got the next ten minutes later, and this goal gave the Canadiens a chance to fall back on the defence and protect the lead. Joliat made it three to nothing in the second period, and it was not until the game was almost over that Dye counted for the Irish.
Story originally published in The Globe, January 5, 1925
BOXSCORE
1st Period
MTL GOAL – 03:00 – Morenz
MTL GOAL – 13:30 – Joliat (O. Cleghorn, Matz)
2nd Period
MTL GOAL – 07:00 – Joliat (Boucher, Morenz)
3rd Period
TOR GOAL – 18:00 – Dye (Day, McCaffrey)
Penalties
MTL – Joliat (3), Boucher (2), Coutu
TOR – Dye, Holway, McCaffrey
GOALTENDERS
MTL – Vézina (W)
TOR – Roach (L)
ROSTERS
MTL – Goaltenders: Georges Vézina. Defence: Sprague Cleghorn (C), Billy Coutu, Sylvio Mantha. Forwards: Billy Boucher, Odie Cleghorn, Aurèle Joliat, Johnny Matz, Howie Morenz.
TOR – Goaltenders: John Ross Roach (C). Defence: Bert Corbeau, Hap Day, Albert Holway. Forwards: Jack Adams, Babe Dye, Alvin Fisher, Bert McCaffrey, Reg Reid.
TEAM RECORDS
MTL – 8-2-1 (.773)
TOR – 4-7-0 (.364)
Two Solitudes 