Toronto 9 at Montreal Wanderers 10
Game played on December 19, 1917

Source: The Toronto Daily News - December 20, 1917

TORONTO TEAM LOST OPENER TO REDBANDS

Poor Goaling Responsible for Blue Shirts Defeat at Montreal

Last night at the Arena, Art Ross and his red shirted band of Wanderers, who threatened to wander out of the league a few days ago¹, placed the first crimp in Charlie Querrie's idea of repeating in the hockey world the success he gained as a lacrosse general when the Wanderers nosed out the Torontos after a close and exciting game by a score of 10 to 9.

Penalties probably cost the Torontos the game, as whenever they looked to have a chance one of their star performers was sent to the bench, and while the officials, Messrs. Marshall and Melville, had occaision several times to rule the "blue shirts" off the ice, Kenneth Randall suffered many times when his rough work did not begin to compare to Art Ross, who also spent considerable time in the timekeeper's box.

Manager Querrie, while disappointed, did not make any complaint, only over the action of Jack Marshall in warning the Wanderers goaler four times for going on his knees, but the rest of the players were up in arms over the way Marshall handed the Toronto captain penalty after penalty. Randall's absence from the ice just at critical times probably lost the game for Toronto, but they can also blame a good deal of their downfall to the work of the goalers.

Hebert, who started for the Torontos, was plainly below form, and after the first period Brooks was substituted² and while he was better than Hebert, he was none too good. Goals came thick and fast, and while most of the Torontos were well earned, several of the Wanderers scores were gifts pure and simple.

Cameron Starred

Randall and Cameron played grand hockey for the Torontos especially Cameron, who not only stayed on the ice but was responsible for several goals, including a couple that were the result of fine individual work. Coughlin was a dissappointment on the defence and seemed to be out-classed, while the Toronto forward line faded badly and failed to check back.

Noble saved three goals while, while Denneny also grabbed a trio, while Skinner showed nothing, and Hyland, the veteran of the Wanderer forward line, scored no less than six of the goals for his team and was the high particular star on the game.

Harry Meeking was good in spots, but the whole Toronto forward line was weak where they were expected to be strong at back-checking.

Hyland Scored Six³

For the Wanderers outside of Hyland, McDonald played well at centre, while Ritchie was good on the defence. Ross can still think better than a lot of players and his goal in the second session was a mastery piece of work. Bell checked well, while Lindsay had the Toronto pair beaten in the nets.

Wanderers Started Well

Wanderers scored first when Ritchie went right through alone, while McDonald grabbed the second from a scrimmage. Reg Noble went away alone for Torontos' first score, and then Randall, Cameron and Denneny combined for a beauty, which Randall tossed in the net. Hyland then beat Hebert with a long one but Cameron went all the way alone and evened up. The last two goals of the first session were gifts. Hyland scoring both that Hebert should have grabbed easily.

Missed Randall

In the second session Denneny grabbed the first goal on a pretty rush, but Hyland made it 6 to 4 on a nice play, but Torontos came back and Denneny scored on a pass from Cameron, and then the Toronto defence man went up close and tied it up. At this stage both Randall and Noble were penalized, and Wanderers collected three goals, making it 9 to 6 at the end of the second session.

Torontos Finished Strong

In the last quarter, after Ritchie of the Wanderers had made it 10 to 6, the Torontos nearly tied it up, and had the Wanderers backed up on their nets. Noble, by two clever rushes, beat the whole Wanderer team, and then was ruled off, while Denneny and Meeking combined for one, but in spite of the strenuous efforts the Torontos could not tie it up.

Endnotes

1. Prior to the start of the season the Wanderers had advised NHL president Frank Calder that they would pull out of the league if they could not sign professional quality players. A number of quality players were in the service or overseas fighting in World War 1 and were thus unavailable to play.

2. This was the first in-game goalie substitution in NHL history.

3. The reporter is in error here. Harry Hyland was officially credited with 5 goals in this game.