I finished another season this morning- I've got a couple others in the works, but would people prefer I hold off on those? I just realized that people may not enjoy these massive posts breaking up conversation.
1903 CAHL Season
| Team | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals For | Goals Against |
| Ottawa HC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 47 | 25 |
| Montreal Victorias | 6 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 33 |
| Montreal HC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 34 | 19 |
| Quebec HC | 3 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 46 |
| Montreal Shamrocks | 0 | 8 | 0 | 17 | 56 |
Ottawa HC won a two game playoff against the Victorias.
A game between Quebec HC and Montreal HC was postponed and then never played.
Skater Stats
| Name | Team | Position | Goals | Assist | Points |
| Bowie | Victorias | Rover | 20 | 3 | 23 |
| McGee | Ottawa HC | Center | 14 | 9 | 23 |
| Jordan | Quebec HC | Center | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| S. Gilmour | Ottawa HC | RW | 9 | 2 | 11 |
| Marshall | Montreal HC | Center | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| Westwick | Ottawa HC | Rover | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Hooper* | Montreal HC | Rover | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| W. Gilmour | Ottawa HC | LW | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Russell | Victorias | LW | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Allan | Victorias | RW | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Phillips | Montreal HC | LW | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Bright | Shamrocks | LW | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| D. Gilmour | Ottawa HC | Center | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| B. Strachan | Victorias | Center | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Garneau** | Quebec HC | RW | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| W. Cummings | Shamrocks | C/R/RW | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Gardner | Montreal HC | LW | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Davidson | Shamrocks | Cover | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Copeman | Quebec HC | LW | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Stuart*** | Victorias | Center | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Boon | Montreal HC | Cover | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Gillespie | Quebec HC | Rover | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Blatchford | Montreal HC | RW | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| J. Power**** | Quebec HC | Cover | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Molson | Victorias | Cover | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Smith | Montreal HC | RW | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Leader | Quebec HC | Point | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Stanley | Quebec HC | Center | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Liffiton | Montreal HC | RW | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Bellingham | Montreal HC | Point | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fairbanks | Victorias | Cover | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Moore | Ottawa HC | Cover | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Rowe | Shamrocks | RW | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Spittal | Ottawa HC | Cover | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wood | Ottawa HC | RW | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Pulford | Ottawa HC | Point | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| | | | | |
| Maybe Garneau | Quebec HC | RW | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Maybe Hooper | Montreal HC | Rover | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Maybe J. Power | Quebec HC | Cover | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Maybe Stuart | Victorias | Center | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| | | | | |
| Possibly Allan | Victorias | RW | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Possibly W. Gilmour | Ottawa HC | LW | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Possibly McGee | Ottawa HC | Center | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Possibly Molson | Victorias | Cover | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| | | | | |
| Jordan or J. Power | Quebec HC | N/A | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Bowie or Stuart | Victorias | N/A | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| B. or W. Strachan | Victorias | N/A | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Allan or Russell | Victorias | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Bright or G. Cummings | Shamrocks | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Bright or W. Cummings | Shamrocks | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Bowie or Russell | Victorias | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Church or W. Cummings | Shamrocks | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Copeman or Garneau | Quebec HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Copeman or Gillespie | Quebec HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Copeman or Jordan | Quebec HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| G. or W. Cummings | Shamrocks | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Garneau or Jordan | Quebec HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| S. Gilmour, W. Gilmour, or McGee | Ottawa HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| S. Gilmour or Westwick | Ottawa HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hooper or Marshall | Montreal HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Major or B. Strachan | Victorias | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| McGee or W. Gilmour | Ottawa HC | N/A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| S. or W. Gilmour | Ottawa HC | N/A | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| J. or R. Power | Quebec HC | N/A | 0 | 1 | 1 |
* Hooper almost certainly had at least one additional point, as he was awarded either the goal or the assist for the same goal in game #2 on 3 January.
** Garneau almost certainly had at least one additional point, as he was awarded either the goal or the assist for the same goal in game #8 on 24 January.
*** Stuart almost certainly had at least one additional point, as he was awarded either the goal or the assist for the same goal in game #1 on 3 January.
**** J. Power almost certainly had at least one additional point, as he was awarded either the goal or the assist for the same goal in game #18 on 21 February.
Goalie Stats
| Name | Team | Games | Goals Against | GAA |
| Lockerby | Victorias | 3 | 6 | 2.00 |
| Nicholson | Montreal HC | 7 | 19 | 2.71 |
| Hutton | Ottawa | 8 | 25 | 3.13 |
| Nichol | Victorias | 5 | 27 | 5.40 |
| Moran | Quebec | 7 | 46 | 6.57 |
| O’Reilly | Shamrocks | 8 | 56 | 7.00 |
Game #1: Montreal Victorias vs Ottawa HC, 3 January 1903
Nicholl stops a D. Gilmour shot at the start of the game, and proved equal to a S. GIlmour shot a short while later. Bowie and Stuart counter-rushed, Stuart passing to Bowie (or scoring himself). Westwick makes a rush that ultimately ends in a W. GIlmour goal. Ottawa has the initiative, Nicholl being forced to make some saves, while “Strachan and Molson were doing trojan work”. Russell and Bowie make some runs. Westwick passes to S. Gilmour, who scores. Molson makes a run, and Bowie or Stuart ultimately scores. Westwick is clearly the best of the Ottawa forwards at this point. Pulford makes a couple rushes. “Westwick made one of his characteristic dashes, but did not score”. Spittal breaks up a Victorias rush, and a scrum ensues. S. GIlmour or Westwick scores. Russell and Bowie make a rush, one of them scoring to tie the game. Allan or Russell scores the winning game via a lift.
A Montreal paper wrote: “Nicholl, in goal, proved himself a star, while Strachan and Molson are good blockers. Bowie and Stuart the centre men, made whirlwind rushes throughout the match. Russell and Allan showed good form. The latter showed brightly in the second half. For the Ottawas Westwick was the star, and his work was the best of the match. He was fast and trickey as usual, and persistently carried the puck up the ice, hurdling and dodging to perfection. Billy Gilmour made a good showing for his first senior game, but S. Gilmour and D. Gilmour were palpably not in shape. They were tired perceptibly towards the end of the first and second halves. Spittal was not up to his last year’s form, and Pulford’s work, while good, was not marked by any great greatness”
Another Montreal paper noted: “Hutton, Pulford and Westwick put up a star game and S. Gilmour made some good runs, but could not stay with the game. Hutton made some brilliant stops and Pulford did some heavy body checking”
“Nichol was perhaps the star of the visiting team and fully qualified for first class company. Molson and Strachan also did some good defence work. The forwards, when they did break away, went up the ice in far better shape than the Ottawas, Stewart and Bowie showing up particularly well in the rushes. All seemed, however, to have a very marked respect for Pulford and for this reason played rather too much on the side instead of going in on the flags”
An Ottawa paper reported: “Their [the Victorias’] defence outside of Nichol in goal is very weak, but their forwards are good”
“... although the heroic efforts of young Nichol before the ents foiled many of their well devised schemes”
“Nichol, who played junior last year, certainly earned the confidence imposed in him. Shots rained in on him like lyditte shells but he invariably delivered the goods. Ottawa’s forwards shot fast and accurate but still Nichol was equal to the occasion. Stuart, Russell and Bowie performed great work on the forward line and were largely responsible for the result”
“Harry Westwick was the star of the game. Time and again he shot down the ice like a lightning flash athwart an inky black cloud, but too often he had no one to help him. From whistle to whistle his speed showed no let up and as he flew over the ice from one end of the rink to the other with the elusive, the spectators cheered him to the echo. Although displaying signs of tiring, ‘Billy’ Gilmore generally did what was required of him. Having all kinds of speed and a shot like a cannon ball, he will be of a valuable service to the team when he acquires the proper condition. Both Davie and Suddy Gilmore fell by the wayside when their services were most required, although the work of the former was more encouraging”
“Hutton in goal was given comparatively little to do”
“It was certainly an off night for Bouse, but these are bound to crop up with any player. Pulford did the best work on the defence. Harvey has by no means an enviable reputation as a clean hockey player, but to the majority of those present on saturday night his work was as free from rough house work as it could possibly be”
“Captain Charlie Spittal at cover was always in the game, but a trifle slow”
“Westwick was unquestionably the star of the game”
“Jack Fraser and Percy Sims would have made an improvement in that forward line”
“Westwick can give them all cards in the game of skating and then beat them out”
Another Ottawa paper wrote: “Many of the locals’ attempts were wild, but still enough of them were accurate to demonstrate that Nicholl is a splendid goal-keeper. The way in which he blocked shot after shot was marvelous. He was apparently clumsy, but he had the knack of interposing his body before the disc could reach the nets”
“Harvey Pulford never played better and it was through him that Ottawa scored at least one of its goals. He blocked his men and rushed when necessity demanded, with skill. The same might be said of Charlie Spittal. Bouse Hutton had hard luck as one of the goals was scored on a long lift from center and he had no chance to get his eye on the puck. ANother was butted through when the point and cover-point were just in front of him”
“Of the visitors, Bowie, the captain, was a glutton for work and kept pegging away in spite of the mushy ice. Stuart and Russell were always conspicuous too”
“The veteran, Harry Weswick, always scintillated in spite of dull ice”
Final Score: 4-3 Victorias
Rosters
Victorias: Nicholl in goal, Strachan at point, Molson at cover, Russell at LW, Stuart at center, Bowie at rover, Allen at RW
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Spittal at cover, W. Gilmour at LW, D. Gilmour at center, Westwick at rover, and S. Gilmour at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Victorias | Bowie or Stuart | Maybe Stuart
Possibly Allen | Possibly Molson |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | Westwick | Pulford |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | Westwick | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie or Stuart | Molson | N/A |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour or Westwick | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie or Russell | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Allen or Russell | N/A | N/A |
Game #2: Montreal Shamrocks vs Montreal HC, 3 January 1903
For the second straight season, Montreal HC destroys the Shamrocks to start the season. Likely due to the lopsided score, not a lot was written about this one. Hooper scored the first two, but that was it for the first half. Marshall gets the next one off a pass from Liffiton. Marshall or Hooper scores, then Liffiton and Gardner. Then Hooper after a pass from Marshall. Then Gardner, Hooper, and Marshall all score.
A Montreal paper wrote: “The forward line is practically useless. George Cummings is the only one who did any shooting. Hurtubise can shoot, but he usually fails to land within hailing distance of the net. Bright has an unpleasant trick of over-running the puck. Little Walter Cummings has some speed, but he is so slight that he cannot go in and mix it up with a heavier, if less skillful, man, with any degree of success. As for the defence it was yards and seconds too slow”
“Viau has weight and strength, and blocks fairly well, but he cannot clear and shared largely in the responsibility to the big score rolled up against Shamrock. O’Reilly is all right in the poles, but his support is poor”
“Hooper has yet his good shooting eyes, but the others show a weakness in this direction”
“Marshall sailed about the ice in a wonderfully reckless manner and received a few odd bumps. This young man ought to do a little figuring on the law of velocities, because the fence is usually strong enough to withstand the shock of collision with heavier men than John Marshall”
“Boone had a lot of work to do, but his great length of reach and speed helped him out as usual, and he seldom failed to deliver the goods in the shape of the puck. Hodge had but little to do, and Nicholson was forgotten altogether”
Another Montreal paper reported: “The goal keeper once or twice lost games because he lost his head”
“He [O’Reilly] was probably the hardest worked man on the ice, however, and subject to constant attacks. A firing squad ordered to execute him could not have kept him busier. Biau did not show himself the strongest point the Shamrocks have ever had”
“There is good material on the Hamrock team, however, and a bright-haired young man named Bright showed up very well, although he, too, needs a little repressing”
“The Cummings boys worked hard, and with sufficient and efficient support would be all right”
An Ottawa paper noted: “Nicholson, in goal, had little to do, while Hodge, at point, was there every time. Boon, at cover, had lost none of his tricks, although he lost his temper at times”
“Reilly, in poles, stopped some hard shots, but got little support from Viau, the point man, who was a fair check but was useless otherwise. Brennan played his usual hard game and saved his team time and time again”
“Liffiton and Gardner on the wings played fast hockey”
Another Ottawa paper wrote: “Gardner distinguished himself. He was against the fastest and trickiest of the Shamrocks, Walter Cummings, but the ice suited him best of any man on it and he was a world of strength. Liffiton also played well, but Marshall and Hooper couldn’t make it go. Hooper did splendid shooting, but outside of that was not prominent. Boon was his same of self as cover, with the speed of the fastest forward and splendid checking ability. Hodge played a fair game, and Nicholson had nothing to do”
Final Score: 10-0 Montreal HC
Rosters
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, Viau at point, Brennan at cover, Hurtubise at center, G. Cummings at rover, Bright at LW, W. Cummings at RW
Montreal HC: Nicholson in goal, Hodge at point, Boon at cover, Marshall at center, Hooper at rover, Gardner at LW, Liffiton at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Montreal HC | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Marshall | Liffiton | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Hooper or Marshall | Maybe Hooper | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Liffiton | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Gardner | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Hooper | Marshall | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Gardner | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Marshall | N/A | N/A |
Game #3: Ottawa HC vs Montreal Shamrocks, 10 January 1903
The Shamrocks start the game on the front foot, pressuring the Ottawa defense. Cummings makes a dangerous run. Ottawa, however, is the first to score, W. Gilmour doing the needful. W. Gilmour scored the next one as well. Bright puts the Shamrocks on the board. Hurtubise makes a couple dangerous runs that beat the Ottawa defense, but he can’t beat Hutton. W. Gilmour scores again. The next game is marked by a series of rushes made by each team, with Davison being noted by name for his work. D. Gilmour scores twice, then W. Gilmour gets the last of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “The play all through was rough, Moore in particular was a great offender”
“Cummings and Viau both worked hard and made some hard attacks on the Ottawa goal, but many good chances were lost owing to the side men not coming up to scratch”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Moore was certainly the villain of the play, for, in season and out of season, he bodied and tripped, and when he got a man down gave him the knee, and made himself disliked generally”
“Davison distinguished himself in like manner, but not to the same extent. He, at least, fouled only when his goals were in danger”
“Pulford and Viau used their bodies somewhat more than the rules provide”
“Rat Westwick, as usual, was doing more than his share of the hard work”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “Moore who played at cover point for Ottawa in place of Spittal, introduced some heavy checking which made the forward line of the Shamrocks very wary when they went near the Ottawa goal. Moore and Pulford are too heavy a defence for the ordinary forward line to buck against”
“Jack Fraser replaced Suddy Gilmour on the forward line instead of Frank McGee who had not had sufficient practice. McGee, it is understood, will be on the Ottawas when they meet the Montreals in Ottawa next Saturday night”
“Hutton in goal stopped some very difficult shots. Pulford and Moore on the defence played hard and rough hockey, but could not ‘lift’ the puck to any advantage, and did not play together. Moore was especially hard on the light Shamrock forwards and kept them well out from the poles which accounts for their inability to do much scoring. The forwards are fast, Westwick played a hard game and the juniors- the two Gilmour brothers and Fraser- showed good ability. W. Gilmour especially, and when they have played together more will prove hard men for any defence to stop”
“On the Shamrock side, Reilly played a good game in poles, stopping some shots that looked like pure winners, but received no support from the defence, which was composed of Viau and Davison. Viau at point played a fair game, but lacks experience and judgment. Davison played hard, but is too young in the game for senior honors. The forwards were fast and showed a little combination, but shot on the poles from too far out, evidently being timid of the heavy Ottawa defence. Hurtubise, at centre, played a fast game for the first half hour, but was not effective, and tires easily. Bright, Rowe, and George Cummings did the bulk of the work and are clever hockey players and with Reilly in the nets, have the makings of a first-class championship team”
Final Score: 6-1 Ottawa HC
Rosters
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, Westwick at rover, D. Gilmour at center, W. Gilmour at RW, and Fraser at LW
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, Viau at point, Davison at cover, G. Cummings at rover, Hurtubise at center, Rowe at RW, and Bright at LW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | Westwick | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Bright | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
Game #4: Montreal Victorias vs Quebec HC, 10 January 1903
Garneau strikes first for Quebec. Copeman adds to the lead, then Jordan extends it even further. Bowie then gets the Victorias on the board after a rush. Stuart scores next, then Bowie scores four straight in less than eight minutes. Stanley stops the bleeding, but Bowie again decides he has had enough. Bowie takes the puck off the face off and passes to Stuart, who scores. Bowie then scores off a pass from Allan. Stuart scores the next. Nicholl takes a penalty and Bowie fills in for a spell. Allan and Bowie score the next two. Jordan scores the last goal of the match “by a pretty rush from centre”.
A Montreal paper wrote: “But their weak point was in the defence, although Moran, in goals, stopped a large number of dangerous shots, but could not be expected to do all the work alone”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Of these, Garneau and Jordan showed themselves to be as good as any who played on the ice and their combination work throughout the game was splendid. Stanley played hard and followed up well, but his leg greatly bothered him early in the game and greatly handicapped him. Copeman played pluckily, but had too hard a man to match in Allan. Nolan as cover and Doyle as point were the weak men on the team. They seemed to be entirely lost when the Victorias charged down on them. Moran in goals played well, stopping shot after shot, especially in the second half. Of the Victorias, Bowie was the star, and the manner in which he got through with the puck was marvellous. He scored seven of the eleven goals. Stuart is a clever and fast player, though a little too fond of tripping, for which he was given a rest a couple of times by the referee. Allan and Russell did not show up as much as the other forwards as they had all their time taken up in watching their men. Molson and Strachan played splendidly together, stopping the Quebec’s rushes time after time. Nicholl in goals is a find which it would be hard to improve upon”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “... and the one reason for the score not being larger than it was, was on account of Moran’s great stopping”
Final Score: 11-5 Victorias
Rosters
Victorias: Nichol in goal, Strachan at point, Molson at cover, Bowie, Stuart, Allan, and Russell at forward
Quebec: Moran in goal, Doyle at point, Nolan at cover, Stanley, Jordan, Garneau, and Copeman at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Quebec | Garneau | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Copeman | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Stuart | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Stanley | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Stuart | Bowie | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | Allan | N/A |
| Victorias | Stuart | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Allan | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | N/A | N/A |
Game #5: Montreal HC vs Ottawa HC, 17 January 1903
Back-and-forth action marked the first game. Pulford is noted a couple times for ending rushes, Nicholson is also credited for fine play. Hutton makes a couple nice saves. McGee shoots, Nicholson stops it and clears, but W. Gilmour intercepts, and passes to McGee, who shoots again. Nicholson clears, but this time S. Gilmour gets it and scores. McGee wins the ensuing faceoff to W. Gilmour, who passed to Westwick, who scored. Pulford is noted for some fine defensive play. “S. Gilmour was playing like a horse and shot repeatedly on Montreal goal. Nicholson relieved magnificently”. Hutton makes some saves. McGee scores quickly after the start of the second half. Gardner passes to Hooper, and Hooper scores. Nicholson is pressured in the next game. Westwick eventually scores off a pass from McGee. The brothers Gilmour go on a rush, and Suddy scores. McGee or W. Gilmour scores the next game. McGee gets the next one, off a pass from S. Gilmour.
A Montreal paper wrote: “Nicholson’s exceptionally good work between the poles was the reason for the score not being larger”
“Nicholson must have stopped over a score, and Hodge nearly as many. The Ottawas out-skated their opponents, and not only followed up better, but also would chase and overhaul Marshall, Hooper, Smith and Gardner when any one of these quartette would go away with the puck. In this way they helped the defence to repel attacks”
“It was McGee’s first appearance as a senior hockeyist, and he showed that he was qualified to stay with the best of the kind, and finished strong. Frank was at centre, and he invariably got the better of the face off. He followed up fast and was always in the vicinity of the puck. He and Gilmour and Westwick played into each others’ hands consistently. There was no selfishness, and the score was accordingly of generous proportions. Billy and Suddie played stellar hockey. The former was more aggressive than he was in the Ottawa-Victoria match, and he overshadowed the opponent. Billy threw in some cannon-ball shots at Nicholson, and it was only hard luck that prevented him from adding more goals to his list. Suddie was in fine form too, and the way he and McGee outwitted the enemy on more than a few occasions was pleasing to witness. He shot hard and accurately when opportunity offered, and bothered Nicholson not a little. Westwick was the same swift tricky player of yore, and hurdled opposing sticks with remarkable nimbleness. The four pleased the spectators by their exhibition of all-round good hockey. Arthur Moore and Harvey Pulford on the defence simply refused to allow the Montreal anyways near Bouse Hutton. They body-checked hard, and after the first few minutes Dickie Boon’s forwards were content to shoot at long range. Both lifted well, too, and kept their forwards well fed. Hutton was in hard luck. He stopped numerous difficult shots, and then kicked the put into the net for Montreal’s only tally”
“The Montrealers were weakened by the absence of Liffiton, who is playing hockey in Pittsburgh. Smith, who replaced him on the forward line, is a gritty little hockeyist, but he is not yet in Liffiton’s class”
“Marshall, Hooper, and Gardner all played well individually, but their team work was comparatively poor, and they were rarely able to take the puck to within dangerous shooting distance of the nets by concerted rushes. Each of them, however, gave frequent exhibitions of clever stick handling, and made pretty individual rushes. Boon was not up to the old time mark, and his showing was disappointing. At times the Ottawa forwards played rag with hill his lifting was good though. Hodge, at point, was fairly strong, but he, like Boon, allowed himself to be drawn out by the wily Ottawas. Hodge played hard at was so exhausted after the game that he collapsed while being driven to the hotel”
“Nicholson, in goal, was a wonder, and he saved his team from being disastrously beaten by his clever stops”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Hodge tried manfully to stop the rushes by doing as Pulford and Moore were doing, going right at the man. He played a strong game, and towards the end rushed with the forwards”
“The Montreal forwards struggled hard, but Moore and Pulford were too heavy, and it was nearly impossible for Marshall and Hooper to get up the centre past them. These two men clearly proved that heavy defence men who will use the body and know how to do it are most invaluable on a team”
“F. McGee was just the kind of assistance Westwick wanted, and these two put up an elegant game”
“Great things were looked for in Boone, but this star player had too much weight against him and lacked his usual speed. Moore improves every game, but is a little clumsy and any foul he may commit is most apparent. Nicholson played better than the score would indicate and saved many shots”
Boon, the captain of Montreal, was not happy with how Ottawa played. He was quoted in a Montreal paper as stating “The tactics of the Ottawa Club were such that the match was no longer hockey, but merely an attempt to disable the visiting team”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “DIckie Boon, who has a splendid reputation for gentlemanly play, went in the air on Saturday night and slashed in all directions. His particular hobby seemed to be to put the gallant little Westwick out of business, but he got as much as he gave and in consequence it is not likely he will figure on the next match the team plays”
“The two Gilmour boys on the Ottawas shone as they never were expected to, and are certainly crack players. Frank McGee at centre was as usual reliable and always where he was needed. It is grand to see the way McGee gets down on the opponent’s goals when the puck goes that way. Arthur Moore at cover was a tower of strength, but he will have to learn how to check without trying to kill his man. He was the first man ruled off on Saturday night and was also off on several subsequent occasions, but he made some beautiful plays. His lifting was simply marvellous. If Moore was a little faster he would be all that is required for the position. Pulford and Hutton as usual played a reliable game. Pulford is a bad man to run against and this the Motnrealers learned to regret”
“Harry Westwick is anything but a quitter. He played with his hand battered almost to a pulp”
“Alf. Smith is a great coach. His practiced eye is eternally on the puck”
“The Gilmour boys showed that they couple play hockey, and Frank McGee is just as good as ever”
“Arthur Moore surprised every one at cover point. His lifting was excellent”
Another Ottawa paper reported: “Frank McGee was a great favorite with the spectators”
Final Score: 7-1 Ottawa HC
Rosters
Montreal: Nicholson in goal, Hodge at point, Boon at cover, Gardner, Marshall, Hooper, and Smith at forward
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, W. Gilmour, S. Gilmour, McGee, and Westwick at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | Possibly W. Gilmour | Possibly McGee |
| Ottawa | Westwick | W. Gilmour or S. Gilmour | McGee |
| Ottawa | McGee | W. Gilmour | N/A |
| Montreal | Hooper | Gardner | N/A |
| Ottawa | Westwick | McGee | N/A |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee or W. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | S. Gilmour | N/A |
Game #6: Quebec HC vs Montreal Shamrocks, 17 January 1903
This one was described as “uninteresting”. Stanley scores the first game off a rush. Davidson ties the game on “an end to end run and a fast shot”. Garneau scores the third to give Quebec the lead again, then Jordan scores. Bright or W. Cummings scores to bring the Shamrocks within one, but Copeland and Jordan each score to put the game out of reach. W. Cummings adds a late goal.
An Ottawa paper wrote: “Moran, who is now the captain of the team and still plays the position in goals, stopped some hard looking shots. But the defence was new. Doyle and Power are two husky looking players, and managed to put the light forwards of the Shamrocks from being very dangerous. Both men were weak at lifting the puck, and generally left it to the forwards to clear the goals”
“Reilly in the goals gave a good account of himself. McKenna seems to lose his head somewhat at the most critical times, but is still a better man than Viau. Davidson has improved since last week and played a good game at cover point”
An interesting note about Charlie Liffiton is found in an Ottawa paper under the review of this game: “That Charlie Liffiton goes to Pittsburgh to-morrow night there is no doubt, and Montreal loses one of their best forwards. It must have been a very liberal offer that the Pittsburgh people made him, as he is well known to be a strong Montreal supporter. However, the following story was going the rounds of the Arena last night: Liffiton went down to Pittsburgh last week and they asked him to go out on the ice for practice, although no agreement had been arrived at. He had barely got out on the ice and started to played when he discovered it was a regular league game. It was the beginning of the end, as it is well known that they are professionals. They immediately telegraphed that he had played with them and that clinched matters. On the face of it the story does not seem possible to be true, as Charlie is too wise to get caught in a game like that, but nevertheless he’s gone, and the Montreal club mourn him”
Another Ottawa paper reported : “They have a star goal man in Moran and Power, who was tried out on Saturday at cover, made good”
“On the Shamrock team the only man to show really senior ability was Davidon at cover point. He is a good man now and with senior experience will be a star defence man. He is a good skater, can lift well, and is heavy enough to stop the best of them”
Final Score: 5-3 Quebec
Rosters
Quebec: Moran in goal, Doyle at point, Power at cover, Stanley (center), Jordan (rover), Garneau (RW), and Copeman (LW) at forward
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, McKenna at point, Davidson at cover, W. Cummings (center), G. Cummings (rover), Rowe (RW), and Bright (LW) at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Quebec | Stanley | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrock | Davidson | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Garneau | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrock | Bright or W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Copeman | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrock | W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
Game #7: Montreal HC vs Montreal Victorias, 21 January 1903
Boon scores on a long lift just after the initial faceoff. The teams then traded lifts and rushes, with Allan being particularly prominent for the Vics. Molson is also dangerous for his team. Smith puts in a rebound to put HC up two. Bowie, “who up to that time had not made himself as conspicuous by his play as he usually does” eventually scores to put the Victorias on the board. Boon scores on another lift. Then Russell answers, but Gardner and Marshall then scores.
A Montreal paper wrote”’Dickey’ Boon was the particular bright star of the evening. He played out of his position, and yet while managing to make a good forward, seemed to drop back whenever he found leisure into his usual place”
“These two big men, Bellingham and Hodge, with the ponderous but alert Mr. Nicholson in goal, certainly made an exceedingly strong defence last night”
“As Strachan has rather a reputation for rough play…”
“Smith has proven himself an exceedingly valuable man to Montreal”
An Ottawa paper reported: “Hodge and Bellingham made a splendid defence. Of the forwards SMith and Gardner were the most prominent and were never beaten. Vics were not in the same shape. Stewart and Bowie were off in their play. Strachan and Molson were not quick in clearing. Nichol did good work but it was a rain of shots he had to deal with”
Final Score: 5-2 Montreal HC
Rosters
Montreal HC: Nicholson in goal, Hodge at point, Bellingham at cover, Boon at rover, Marshall at center, Gardner at LW, and Smith at RW
Victorias: Nichol in goal, Strachan at point, Molson at cover, Bowie at rover, Stuart at center, Allan at LW, and Russell at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Montreal HC | Boon | Marshall | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Smith | Marshall | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Boon | Marshall | Smith |
| Victorias | Russell | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Gardner | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Marshall | Gardner | N/A |
Game #8: Ottawa HC vs Quebec HC, 24 January 1903
Ottawa makes a quick rush, but Moran stops it. Garnea and Jordan go on a rush and pass the puck to Copeman, who scores (Garneau may have scored). Moran makes a couple saves, then Hutton is forced into action. S. Gilmour scores, then D. Gilmour scores. Moran stops McGee and D. Gilmour a couple times. Gillespie scores. Gillespie makes another rush, Hutton stops the shot, but Copeman or Jordan puts in the rebound. D. Gilmour scores. Pulford makes a couple noticeable rushes. Jordan scores on “a brilliant run”. Then Garneau scores. McGee scores on a “pretty rush” with P. Sims, who replaced W. Gilmour. Copeman or Gillespie scores. McGee scores during a scrum in front of the Quebec goal. Gillespie passes to Jordan or Garneau, who scores. S. Gilmour makes a run and scores a goal that maybe didn’t actually go in. Copeman scores the last of the match after a pass from Jordan.
A Montreal paper wrote: “Gillespie was undoubtedly an acquisition to the local team”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Moore lifted well and helped Hutton considerably. Pulford worked hard and his rushes up the ice put theQuebec pals in danger time after time. Hutton in goals was a wonder and the way he stopped shot after shot brought repeated cheers from the galleries. Gillespie, who replaced Stanley on the Quebec team, played a remarkable game, especially in the first half. Jordan and Garneau put in some combination work and the plucky way little Copeman stuck to his man was much admired. Power was not quite up to the mark and seemed to have a night off. Doyle saved repeatedly and lifted well. Moran in goals stopped phenomenally and it would be hard to say which goaler stopped the most shots.
An Ottawa paper noted: “McGee and S. Gilmour were the stars of the visitors, although Sims played a splendid game in the second half. Moore and Pulford worked well together and the latter’s rushes up the ice were very dangerous to Quebec. Hutton in goal was a wonder, stopping shot after shot. For Quebec GIllespie was the star, and Moran in poles made phenomenal stops”
Another Ottawa paper wrote: In combination work Ottawa took first place, but it did little or no good as it was generally broken up by Power at cover point, who put up what was considered a great game. Doyle, at point, also played a good defence game, he having improved considerably since his last game”
“McGee, who played rover for Ottawa, played the swiftest game of the evening and was ably seconded by the Gilmour brothers, especially W. Gilmour”
Final Score: 8-6 Quebec HC
Rosters
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, W. Gilmour, McGee, D. Gilmour, and S. Gilmour at forward
Quebec: Moran in goal, Doyle at point, Power at cover, Garneau, Jordan, Gillespie, and Copeman at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Quebec | Copeman or Garneau | Maybe Garneau | Jordan |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | Moore | N/A |
| Quebec | Gillespie | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Copeman or Jordan | Gillespie | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Garneau | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Copeman or Gillespie | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan or Garneau | Gillespie | N/A |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Copeman | Jordan | N/A |
Game #9: Montreal Victorias vs Montreal Shamrocks, 24 January 1903
Russell scores the first of the game. W. Strachan is noted for defensive play against Bright and W. Cummings. Bert Strachan scores the next game. Then Bowie scores. Bright gets the Shamrocks on the board. Bowie answers for the Vics. G. Cummings scores after a fall from Strachan. Bowie answers again, then Russell scores. Allen scores, then Bowie. Strachan passes to Bowie, who scores yet again. W. Cummings scores. Nichols is penalized for dropping to his knees to stop a shot, and Bowie takes his place for a bit. Walter Cummings scores two goals. Allen scores, then Bowie and B. Strachan. Bright and W. Cummings scores at the end of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “From a Vic point of view there was only one man on the ice. That was Russell Bowie. Speedy, a beautiful stick handler and a rattling shot, he won the match for the Vics”
“The Vics were expected to show the Shamrocks up. But they didn’t. Thanks to Frank McKenna and Phil O’Reilly, Bowie and Russell found it hard to get in close enough. The most noticeable man on the ice was little Walter Cummings. If only he had weight, with his speed and stick handling he would be one of the best in the business. As it was, the plucky little fellow went p against such men as Watson and Strachan and in spite of being thrown all over the ice, scored four of the Shamrocks seven games. His play and Bowie’s were the two redeeming features of the match”
An Ottawa paper reported: “Stuart, their fast centre man, was ill in bed and unable to play. The team, starting with Nichol - who, by-the-by, did not put up a very good article of hockey - was not hard pressed enough to show much speed. The defence was their weakest spot, though they worked together better than the Shamrocks. Bowie, of course, was all over the ice, breaking up the Shamrock rushes and doing the bulk of the work for his team, being well supported by Allan, who put up a good game in the second half. Blair Russell seemed to have an off night. Bert Strachan, who played centre, put up a good game but is not as fast as Suart whom he replaced”
“The defence was willing to be brought out, although McKenna at point in O’Reilly in the goals, handled some pretty hot shots. Davidson played a fairly good game at cover, and the Cummings boys worked hard and seemed to be the whole life of the team”
Final Score: 12-7 Victorias
Rosters
Victorias: Nichol in goal, W. Strachan at point, Molson at cover, Bowie at rover, B. Strachan at center, Russell at LW, Allan at RW
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, McKenna at point, Davidson at cover, G. Cummings at rover, W. Cummings at center, Bright at LW, Powell at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Victorias | Russell | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | B. Strachan | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Bright | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | G. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Russell | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Allan | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | W. or B. Strachan | N/A |
| Shamrocks | W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Allan | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | B. Strachan | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Bright | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
Game #10: Quebec HC vs Montreal HC, 31 January 1903- Game Postponed/Never Played (No Source Confirmation)
Game #11: Montreal Shamrocks vs Ottawa HC, 4 February 1903
Davidson scored the first of the match via a long-range shot. McGee evened the score following a rush by D. Gilmore. Then Wood scored to give Ottawa the lead. Spittal scored on a lift. D. Gilmour scored next, then Rowe scored for the Shamrocks. D. Gilmore scored the last goal of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “The ice was sloppy and the Ottawa players, with the exception of Frank McGee, did not exert themselves. McGee was the most aggressive player on the ice”
“For the Shamrocks Davidson was the most prominent”
“Both goal keepers made many splendid stops”
Another Montreal paper reported: “The Ottawas were without the services of Pulford and Westwick and played Spittal and F. Wood in their places. The first named did a good deal of checking and lifting but Wood was outclassed and Rowe was too fast and tricky for him”
“F. McGee and Suddy Gilmore played a great game for Ottawa, but the Shamrock goal man made some fine stops”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “Had it not been for the excellent work of these two players [Moore and Hutton] the tables might have been turned. Frank McGee and the two Gilmours on the forward line shone in spots”
“Riley, the goal man, and Davidson at cover-point, were easily the best men on the team. RIley stopped some very swift and what looked very like impossible shots”
Final Score: 5-2 Ottawa HC
Rosters
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, Brennan at point, Davidson at cover, G. Cummings at RW, Casselman at center, Rowe at rover, Bright at LW
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Moore at point, Spittal at cover, S. Gilmour at RW, McGee at center, D. Gilmour at rover, Wood at LW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Davidson | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | Wood | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | Spittal | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Rowe | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
Game #12: Montreal HC vs Quebec HC, 7 February 1903
Nicholson was under a lot of pressure for the beginning of the game, but seemed up to the task until Copman eventually got one through, assisted by Jordan. Quebec starts off on the offensive again, but Boon flips the ice and passes to Phillips for a goal. The teams trade lifts. The Montreal forwards are noted for following up. Blatchford scores, then Phillips scores. Phillips scores again “after a beautiful run down the ice”. Phillips scores yet again after the half. Jordan stops the bleeding, scoring off a pass from Garneau. Hooper scores after a pass from Blatchford. Marshall scores. Gillespie scores. Marshall scores again. Phillips passes to Blatchford, and Moran rushes out to body him. He makes contact, but Blatchford is still able to score the last of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “C. Scott played as cover point in the place of Power, who is ill, and put up a good game although he had not put on his skates since last winter”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Both goal-keepers stopped splendidly, Moran having a great many more stops to make than Nicholson. Bellingham stopped shot after shot for Nicholson, but was a little weak in lifting. Boon played a wonderful game, stopping rush after rush, and lifting right on to the Quebec goals repeatedly”
“Phillips was the star of the forwards, scoring 4 out of the 9 games for the visitors. Blatchford played a very unselfish game, which proved very effective. Marshall was not quite quick enough for Jordan in facing the puck, but he kept his place well and was there when wanted. Hooper did not play up quite a swell as his companions, but allowance should be made for his injured foot. Quebec was handicapped by the loss of Rocket Power, who was replaced by Charlie Scott. He played a good game and lifted well considering that he has had no practice and that Saturday was the first day for him to have skates on this winter. Doyle, as point, lifted well but tried to dodge around his goals at times which almost proved disastrous. Of the forwards Jordan showed up the best, checking hard and making some very pretty rushes. Copeman played well in the first half, but seemed played out towards the end of the game. Garneau had hard luck in shooting. He put in shot after shot, which were either turned aside or went wide. Gillespie seemed to have a day off, putting up a very poort game compared with the game he played last Saturday against Ottawa”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “Power, who is sick, was replaced at cover-point by Scott, who was a very poor substitute for the former”
Final Score: 9-3 Montreal HC
Rosters
Montreal: Nicholson in goal, Bellingham at point, Boon at cover, Marshall at center, Hooper at rover, Phillips and Blatchford at wing
Quebec: Moran in goal, Doyle at point, Scott at cover, Jordan at center, Gillespie at rover, Copeman and Garneau at wing
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Quebec | Copeman | Jordan | N/A |
| Montreal | Phillips | Boon | N/A |
| Montreal | Blatchford | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Phillips | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Phillips | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Phillips | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | Garneau | N/A |
| Montreal | Hooper | Blatchford | N/A |
| Montreal | Marshall | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Gillespie | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Marshall | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Blatchford | Phillips | N/A |
Game #13: Ottawa HC vs Montreal Victorias, 7 February 1903
S. Gilmour scored the first one. McGee is a prolific shooter, and gets the second. B. Strachan scores for the Vics. McGee scores again, and then another time after the half. Russell scores “after a beautiful run”. Westwick and McGee each score, but then the Vics mount a furious comeback attempt, getting goals from B. Strachan or Major, Allan, and Bowie (twice). With the game tied, McGee puts the dagger into the Vics.
A Montreal paper wrote: “But all of this was spoiled by McGee, of the Ottawas, who raced down the ice just as time was up and won the game for his team. McGee did this sort of thing so often during the evening that a good many people were asking what was the matter with McGee. The universal reply was much in his favor. In fact, he gave a splendid exhibition of dashing forward play that any club might be proud of. He was ably assisted by the Gilmour brothers on the wings. Westwick, as rover, seemed to be in poor condition. Ottawa’s defence was good”
Another Montreal paper wrote: “although they [Victorias’ forwards] did manage to make the life of Hutton, the Ottawa goalkeeper, who showed up much better than Nichol, perfectly miserable”
“Pulford played a great game on the Ottawa defence, and many a good attack by Bowie, Russell and Allan was broken up by the big man”
An Ottawa paper reported: “Nichol in goal is not playing the game he should and he let everal easy shots get by him. W. Strachan played a good, hard effective game, and Major replaced Molson to advantage and in the second half played a ‘horse’ of a game. He is heavy and uses his body and head to good advantage. The forwards played an individual game, especially in the first half, and they all seemed to be ‘up in the air’ with the exception of Russell, who was all over the ice. In the second half they improved in their play, and it looked for a while as if they would win despite the big lead the Ottawas had. Bowie, Allen and Russell sent in shot after shot on Hutton and for a while had the Ottawa defence guessing what would happen. Bert Strachan was on the fence too often to be much use to his team mates”
“Hutton in goal was there to good purpose and stropped shot after shot while Pulford and Moore were always reliable. McGee was the star of the forwards, scoring five out of their seven goals. Westwick had an injured arm, which prevented him from playing his usual effective game”
Another Ottawa paper noted: “Then the Vics, or rather Bowie, for he was practically alone, got into the game and forced the play for a few scores”
“Frank McGee was certainly the man of the night. He fooled even that cute player Bowie and got in time after time on the net. He was ably seconded by Billy Gilmour and the two had a great deal to do with the victory. Bouse Hutton had little chance to show his skill, but Pulford was a second goal keeper. The number of shots he stopped was a surprise and when it began to grow the crowd yelled itself hoarse. Moore, too, put up a fine game. Westwick was in very poor condition and did not do what the ‘Rat’ can do”
Final Score: 7-6 Ottawa HC
Rosters
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, Westwick, McGee, W. Gilmour, and S. Gilmour at forward
Victorias: Nichol in goal, W. Strachan at point, Major at cover, Allan, Bowie, Russell, and B. Strachan at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | McGee | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | Westwick | N/A |
| Victorias | B. Strachan | Bowie | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | Westwick | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Russell | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | Westwick | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | B. Strachan or Major | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Allan | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | Russell | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | Russell | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
Game #14: Montreal Victorias vs Montreal Shamrocks, 11 February 1903
Bright scored the first of the game. Bowie passes to B. Strachan, who shoots. O’Reilly makes the save, but accidently knocks the puck back into the net. Bowie scored after some fine stickhandling, then Russell put in a rebound for another goal. Bright scores for the Shamrocks, then either Bright or G. Cummings scores to tie the game. Bowie gives the Vics the lead after a pass from Molson. Russell scores after a pass from Allan. Allan then sets up B. Strachan for another goal. Molson scores the last of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “Captain Bowie, whose ability to play before the match was doubtful owing to an injured ankle turned out and played with his team”
“The match was conspicuous for a lot of rough work. Referee Kirby was lenient, and his failure to penalize caused the players to grow scrappy. The crowd seemed to think that Bowie, the Victorias’ captain, was the worst offender. His bad temper was apparent many times, and he showed a nasty habit of using his elbow on the heads of his opponents. The big captain was evidently angered at the manner which the opposing forwards chased him and slashed at his lame ankle”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Considering his [Bowie’s] injury, he did wonderfully well”
“Bright and George Cummings played for all they were worth”
An Ottawa paper noted: “There was no feature to the match except its rottenness and perhaps the showing of Davison, Shamrocks’ cover point. He is certainly a coming player. The SHamrock forward line played poorly except Bright, who scored their three goals. Of the VIcs, Bowie and Russell were almost useless until late in the game. Allen was the only forward to prove valuable. Billy Strachan put up a good game at point”
Final Score: 7-3 Victorias
Rosters
Victorias: Lockerby in goal, W. Strachan at point, Molson at cover, B. Strachan at center, Bowie at rover, Allen and Russell on the wings
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, Brennan at point, Davidson at cover, Bright at center, W. Cummings at rover, Rowe and G. Cummings at wing
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Bright | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | B. Strachan | Bowie | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Russell | B. Strachan | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Bright | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Bright or G. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | Molson | N/A |
| Victorias | Russell | Allan | N/A |
| Victorias | B. Strachan | Allan | N/A |
| Victorias | Molson | N/A | N/A |
Game #15: Quebec HC vs Ottawa HC, 14 February 1903
W. Gilmour makes “a beautiful run”, passes to McGee who touches it over to Westwick, who scores. McGee wins the faceoff, S. Gilmour scores. McGee gets the next one. The next game sees some fine stops by the two goalies. Pulford misplays a puck, McGee is forced to clear. McGee scores. W. Gilmour scores directly after McGee wins another faceoff, and Ottawa takes a 5-0 lead into the half. S. Gilmour scores, then either McGee or one of the brothers Gilmour scores. Quebec finally joins the game, Power or Jordan scoring. W. McGee scores on a combination play with McGee. Power or Jordan again scores for Quebec. Then Power steals the puck from Pulford and scores. Pulford makes a nice rush. McGee wins yet another faceoff that directly leads to a goal, Westwick doing the scoring this time. McGee scores the last of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “The visitors seemed afraid to form and intimate acquaintance with Moore and Pulford, and for that reason their shooting was ineffective”
“The Gilmours did not work very hard after the first fifteen minutes, but when they did try to go up the ice it was rarely they were stopped before they shot or carried the puck. McGee and Westwick were very aggressive and played strong games. The former’s dashes were brilliant and he was well supported by the ‘Rat’. Frank’s shooting was not up to the standard that he has established, however”
Another Montreal paper reported: “The Quebec men were fairly aggressive and they are fast, but Pulford and Moore did some clean body checking and succeeded in keeping Quebec from the front of the flags and making their shooting ineffective”
“... by the nice play of Jordan and Power, who showed up the best of the Quebec men”
“Moran put up a fine game and made several phenomenal stops”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “Westwick for the Ottawas did not seem to put up his usual game. He did not seem to be in condition for one thing and on the other hand seemed to be a little afraid of his sore hand. He made some beautiful rushes, however, and did some telling work notwithstanding. Frank McGee and Suddy Gilmour played their usual brilliant game. McGee is certainly a star always on the puck and always where he is needed for effective play. Moore’s lifting from cover was excellent. Harvey Pulford was a little selfish at times and seemed to have a particular desire to get even with the Quebec goalkeeper”
“On a couple of occasions Pulford lost the puck to Quebec when trying to carry it up the ice rather than lift it out”
“Moran the Quebec goal man deserves credit for several brilliant plays. He stopped a great many shots at close quarters which would have run up the score very much higher”
Another Ottawa paper reported: “The Quebec, with the exception of Moran, the goalkeeper, were outclassed. Their point and cover point were not able to cope and with the rushes of the Gilmours, McGee and Westwick, and Moran was afforded but little protection. He was the magnet for swift shots dozens of times, but he cleared the nets coolly and deftly, and though the puck went by him ten times, the wonder was that the Ottawa score was not double what it was”
Final Score: 10-3 Ottawa HC
Rosters
Quebec: Moran in goal, Doyle at point, Power at cover, Jordan at center, Garneau at LW, and Copeman at RW
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, McGee at center, Westwick at rover, W. Gilmour at LW, S. Gilmour at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Ottawa | Westwick | McGee | W. Gilmour |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | McGee | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | W. Gilmour | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | S. Gilmour | Westwick |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | McGee | N/A |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee or S. or W. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan or J. Power | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | McGee | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan or J. Power | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | J. Power | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | Westwick | McGee | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
Game #16: Montreal HC vs Montreal Shamrocks, 14 February 1903
Davidson scores the first of the game via a drop shot. The Shamrocks goalie is criticized and called “lax”. Hooper scored, then Marshall scored off a combination play with Hooper. Phillips scores the next two, then Boon scores after “a beautiful run”. Hooper scores the last of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “As the Montrealers scored so often, it is of interest to note that the only game scored by Shamrocks was by Coverpoint Davidson. This player, in fact, seems to be the one find which the Shamrocks have brought out this season. His long shots are beauties, and such work on the forward line by a couple of players like him would surely win game”
“Injustice to the Hamrock forwards it should be said that they sent in some good shots that only a good goalkeeper like Nicholson could bat out”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Montreal is more than fortunate in having Nicholson. He is the peer of them all. Victoria has two, but neither of these can come up to the big Montreal man. Probably the man who comes closest to him in his specialty is Oleson, of the Winnipeg Victorias”
“At point, Bellingham was almost perfect last night, and DIcky Boon, although not feeling very well, and threatened with grippe, played steadily as usual, and was all over the ice when needed”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “Davison, the cover point, who is in his first season in senior company, being in particularly good form, while O’Reilly kept the speedy Montreal forwards guessing”
“Nicholson, for Montreal, stopped some that looked like sure winners, while Bellingham and Boon were in good form”
Another Ottawa paper reported: “Davidson and Brennan deserve a good deal of praise for the way they held off the Montreal quartet of sharp-shooters in the first half”
“Smith is still lame and Hooper has a very bad leg, but after they warmed up to it they didn’t seem to mind it, though Smith did not play his usual game. Phillips, Marshall and Hooper were the stars. Boon is on the sick list, but played all the game. Naturally he didn’t shine. Nicholson and Bellingham had little to do”
“Of the Shamrocks bunch Bright and George Cummings were the only two noticeable on the forward line and the close checking of the winged wheel aggregation bewildered them”
“Davison was the only man on the team who did anything to stem the tide of defeat”
Final Score: 6-1 Montreal HC
Rosters
Montreal HC: Nicholson in goal, Bellingham at point, Boon at cover, Hooper, Marshall, Smith, and Phillips at forward
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, Brennan at point, Davidson at cover, W. Cummings, Bright, G. Cummings, and Rowe at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Davidson | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Marshall | Hooper | Smith |
| Montreal HC | Phillips | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Phillips | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Boon | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
Game #17: Ottawa HC vs Montreal HC, 21 February 1903
Montreal reports make it look like the Ottawa team was pretty dirty.
The opening game saw some back and forth action. Phillips is noted for some rushes, while McGee and the Gilmours seem to be doing the work for Ottawa. Moore eventually scores. Hooper and Marshall are described as “weak” and playing with “an alarming lack of judgment” at this point. Nicholson makes a “circus stop” on a shot from McGee. Ottawas physicality seems to be telling on the Montreal forwards. Westwick makes a phenomenal rush, but Nicholson somehow stops the shot. Phillips is doing work. Hutton makes some saves. McGee beats Boon and scores. Hooper scores after a fine run and a hard shot. S. Gilmour scores off a pass from McGee.
A Montreal paper wrote: “... and then usually one man attempted the herculean task of attempting single-handed to raid Ottawas territory and land the puck in the net, and the one man was usually Phillips. This player was the one shining light on the Montreal line, he stuck to his post. With him it was give and take, and in the end, he was the only one to be found close to Ottawa’s net whenever chance offered”
“Pulford played Saturday as if he was pretty close to that state known as ‘all in’, while it is an open secret that Htton narrowly escaped being replaced by Cope. But Pulford is yet serviceable, and there are not many of the youngsters who would care to try conclusions with the big fellow. Moore is not a nice hockey player; but his methods of diving at a man are extremely useful , and the former Montreal did not on any occasion permit the ethics of the game to interfere with his purposes, and infractions of the rules seemingly caused no worry to the cover point”
“There are defects in Ottawa’s defence and serious ones, too, but this is remedied to a considerable extent by the work of the forwards. These players always backed down to help out the defence, and they were very careful in watching their covers when pressed”
“McGee played an excellent game and always manages to secure a position where he would be of the most service. Westwick’s hurdling was pretty to watch, and the nice style in which the Ottawa rover cleared the sticks caused many a cheer. The Gilmour boys did their work well and there was nothing left undone on their wings”
“The Montreal forward line was smothered when things began to roughen, and in this Phillips was the only player to show to any advantage, and he certainly did enough playing for three men. ‘Doc’ Smith stood the pounding fairly well and was stronger than it would be expected of him. The great weakness of the Montreal line was in centre and the big gap left in the middle of the ice was fatal to the champions. Marshall and Hooper were decidedly off color, both displayed poor form and an amazing lack of judgment, not to be expected from two such players”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Hooper missed a number of comparatively easy shots, and Boon, the great, did not seem to know at times where he was at”
“McGee made his mark on Saturday and Westwick, for a man with a sore hand, did pretty well. Pulford was, as usual, a favourite with the crowd. The heavy checking and the occasional inconsiderate use which he has made of his strength and build have given him a reputation that sticks to him and causes little things in that line on his part to be greatly magnified. The kind of game that was played on Saturday gave him great opportunities to display his specialty, and there was only one man who could meet him on his own ground. That man was Phillips, and Phillips gave him as good as he got every time, and stood the impact of the burly Point of the Ottawas with fortitude”
“Phillips was the most dashing of the Montreal quartette. His runs were phenomenal and he passed everything, but he too was useless as a shot”
An Ottawa paper noted: “hots were driven in on Nicholson by the bucketful, but he saved his goal time after time, and earned for himself the reputation of being the star actor on the ice. He is a marvel, and had it not been for his part in the play the score would have been many more to one than it was. Nicholson had ten times as many shots to stop as Hutton”
“Frank McGee suffered much punishment and came in for lots of it. But he was always on his man and always in his position, and Frank McGee in his position is a dangerous opponent to any team. Westwick was spasmodic in his play but on the whole put up an excellent game. He was not in condition, at least not as good as he was when Montreal met Ottawa in Ottawa, and his wrist was sore, but he made some of the most dangerous rushes of the match. He certainly never made an error, and this was what counted. The two Gilmour boys, Billy and Suddie, played an even, steady game, and kept everlastingly at it with a persistence which was dangerous in Montreal. No matter where the puck went on the wings, either of these boys was with it and they spared neither themselves nor their checks when it came to a clash”
“At cover point Moore played the game of his life. He is usually a mark for the referee, but on Saturday night he surprised everybody by playing a faultless game. His checking was such that one experience was about enough for any of the Montreals, but he was not unnecessarily rough. His lifting was certainly all that could be desired, which is proven by the fact that he was responsible for the only goal scored in the first half of the match”
“Pulford at point put up a careful game. He was perhaps too lenient about checking and although he went to the fence once he often let a Montreal forward off with less punishment that would have been admissible. He was reliable and always where he was needed. His rushes up the ice were surprises to many. Pulford is a fast skater and generally gets a clear rink when he starts out with the puck”
“The famous Dickey Boon on Saturday night was at sixes and sevens. Frank McGee scores a goal while Boon had his back to the puck. Bellingham at cover point is a wonderful improvement on Hodge but the only thing he seemed to be able to do effectively on Saturday night was to punish Frank McGee”
“Of the Montreal forwards Phillips played the best game”
“Phillips is a rugged, heavy player with lots of speed and grit. He was the most dangerous proposition on the ice for the Ottawa defence. Hooper was not up to mch, whole Smith, was was razzle-dazzled by the Montreal know-it-alls in the audience played a good game”
Final Score: 3-1 Ottawa HC
Rosters
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, Westwick at rover, McGee at center, S. Gilmour and W. Gilmour on wing
Montreal: Nicholson in goal, Bellingham at point, Boon at cover, Hooper at rover, Marshall at center, Phillips and Smith on wing
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Ottawa | Moore | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | McGee | N/A |
Game #18: Montreal Shamrocks vs Quebec HC, 21 February 1903
Davidson opens the scoring with a long shot, then a couple minutes later, Church or W. Cummings extends the Shamrocks’ lead. Quebec then rallies, Jordan scores off a pass from J. Power. J. Power or Jordan scores to tie the game. G. or W. Cummings scores, giving the Shamrocks the lead at the half. J. Power passes to Jordan for a goal. J. Power scores off a pass from Garneau. Garneau puts in a rebound. Bright scores to tie. Jordan scores again, giving Quebec the lead and the eventual victory.
A Montreal paper wrote
ower, at cover, fed the forwards in good style, and had a great deal to do with winning the match for his team. Moran, in the nets, also played his usual game, stopping time and again shots which looked like sure games. Leader, at point, played a fair game. Shamrocks’ forwards played far superior hockey than Quebec, especially G. Cummings, who played the star game of the evening. Davidson, at cover, did splendid work for his team, and reilly played a grand game in his position, stopping some very hard shots”
“Leader and Power took the puck up the ice, and helping their forwards out, but all their work was mostly individual play”
Another Montreal paper reported: “For the Shamrocks Riley in goals put up a magnificent game, stopping some almost impossible shots. Davidson played a fine defence game and helped the forwards quite a bit. Of the forwards W. Cummings was the star. Quebec’s defence played well together. Moran in goal put up his old reliable game. Leader, the new point, played a steady game after he got over his nervousness for the first few minutes, and showed that he is quite eligible for senior rank. Rocket Power checked well and used his body to advantage. Of the forwards Jordan and J. Power were the stars”
Final Score: 5-4 Quebec HC
Rosters
Shamrocks: O’Reilly in goal, Brennan at point, Davidson at cover, Bright at center, G. Cummings at rover, W. Cummings and Church on the wing
Quebec: Moran in goal, Leader at point, R. Power at cover, Jordan at center, J. Power at rover, Copeman and Garneau on the wing
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Davidson | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Church or W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | J. Power | Leader |
| Quebec | J. Power or Jordan | Maybe J. Power | N/A |
| Shamrocks | G. or W. Cummings | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | J. Power | Garneau | N/A |
| Quebec | Garneau | Leader | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Bright | Davidson | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | Power | Leader |
Game #19: Montreal HC vs Montreal Victorias, 25 February 1903
Strachan passes the puck to Bowie for the first goal. Nicholson is pressured again, and eventually Bowie is again able to score. Bowie gets a third, and the Vics are up 3-0 at the half. Phillips and Boon are noted for some fine rushes. Bellingham gets Montreal HC on the board, then Marshall pulls them within one.
A Montreal paper wrote: “The injury to Bowie was a big loss to the Victorias, and though Boon went off with the Victoria captain, this was rather advantageous to Montreal, for the reason that aBoon had been practically out of the game for some time before Bowie was injured. Boon received several severe blows about the face, and a cut over his eye”
“Three men may be directly accredited with Victoria’s win; Bowie, for the excellent reason that he scored the three goals; Billy Strachan, for the useful and steady blocking he maintained during all of the game and finally Lockerby, for his really magnificent work in front of the net”
“Phillips was the popular favorite and was repeatedly cheered for each effort”
An Ottawa paper reported: “Billy Strachan and Lockerby played a superb defence game and that with Bowie’s scoring ability won the match for Vics. Both Russell and Allen played good wing games”
Final Score: 3-2 Victorias
Rosters
Montreal HC: Nicholson in goal, Hodge at point, Bellingham at cover, Boon at rover, Marshall at center, Hooper and Phillips on the wings
Victorias: Lockerby in goal, W. Strachan at point, Fairbanks at cover, Bowie at rover, B. Strachan at center, Allan and Russell on the wings
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Victorias | Bowie | B. or W. Strachan | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Bowie | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Bellingham | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal HC | Marshall | Phillips | N/A |
Game #20: Quebec HC vs Montreal Victorias, 28 February 1903
Quebec started off strong, but it was Fairbanks that scored first off a lift. Stuart extends the lead via a coast-to-coast rush. Garneau makes a couple notable rushes. Jordan scores for Quebec. Allan scores the final goal of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “... it was the excellent work of Moran in the poles that saved Quebec from having more tallies against them. The Quebec goaler proved himself to be in the top notchers and the Vic forwards gave him plenty of work to do”
“Garneau, on the forward line, played a nice game, but the lack of system handicapped them”
“Stuart played well, but the absence of Bowie was keenly felt, and there was no vim about the attack”
Another Montreal paper reported: “The defence was Quebec’s strongest point. The goal-keeper was particularly careful, and the Victoria forwards managed at time to keep him in a state of prolonged perspiration”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “The stars were Garneau on the forwards and Powers on the defence, who played the game for his team. His lifting and all-round defence work deserves better luck. Moran, in the flags, bore the brunt of many an attack, and came out of them with honors”
“Stuart was called upon and played a strong, fast game. Russell was everywhere as usual and was ably supported by Allen. W. Strachan played a ‘horse’ of a game at point, and kep the Quebec forwards away from his flags”
Another Ottawa paper reported: “W. Strachan was the star of the defence, and blocked rush after rush. Russell and Stuart did the greater part of the work on the forward line, and showed up well. Power at cover point played the whole game for his team, taking the puck down the ice time after time. Garneau put up a good game, as did Moran in the goals”
Final Score: 3-1 Victorias
Rosters
Quebec: Moran in goal, Leader at point, R. Power at cover, J. Power at cover, Jordan at center, Garneau and Copeman on the wings
Victorias: Lockerby in goal, W. Strachan at point, Fairbanks at cover, B. Strachan at rover, Stuart at center, Russell and Allan on the wings
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Victorias | Fairbanks | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Stuart | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | Jordan | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | Allan | N/A | N/A |
Playoff Game #1: Ottawa HC vs Montreal Victorias, 7 March 1903
Westwick broke a bone in his ankle during the game and was replaced by D. Gilmour.
Bowie starts the game with a couple nice rushes, but he was unable to score. Billy Gilmour makes a dangerous, though unsuccessful, attempt. Westwick is noted for his defensive play. Lockerby makes a great stop on Westwick after a phenomenal run. D. Gilmour eventually scores during a scrum. Just before the half, there was a physical altercation. Depending on who you believe, Bowie and W. Gilmour got into it, then one of the Strachans (who an Ottawa paper had many unpleasant things to say about surrounding his rough/dirty play) stepped in on the Vics side, and Pulford stepped in for the Ottawas. McGee has a couple chances. Bowie makes a rush, passes to B. Strachan, who scores (another source has Bowie scoring). There is no further scoring.
A Montreal paper wrote: “Russell Bowie played and gave an excellent performance in spite of the many difficulties under which he labored”
“Ottawa’s score was mainly due to Blair Russell, who missed a check”
“In the first half there had been too much heavy work and both Russell and Strachan were not likely looking, while Allen and Bowie appeared to do the lion’s share of the work. However, the other two were decidedly effective in checking, if rather weak in carrying the puck in to the other fellows’ ground”
“Bowie performed several neat feats, but he was unfortunate and again he was well watched”
“Then again, Lockerby deserves a word by himself. He picked out a line of hot ones. His success in stopping Westwick’s gallant rush was the feature of the first half, and worthy of a medal”
“McGee almost did the trick more than once, but in his case he always managed to wait just a second too long”
Another Montreal paper reported: “When they did manage to get hold of the puck, they carried it down without a break, and made things very uncomfortable for Hutton again, because Pulford allowed many an unexpected shot to pass him”
An Ottawa paper wrote: “The Victorias on Saturday certainly lost any reputation they ever had for being clean players. They started in to punish the Ottawa forward line at the very first and kept it up to the end. Frank McGee was the centre of their attacks, but the game little player never stopped for a minute. He was pounded, tripped, punched, cross-checked and bodied, but no give up, not for him, and anybody who knows Frank knows that he can give about as much punishment as he receives”
“Dave Gilmour, however, is the daddy of them all as a stick handler, and his work after he replaced Westwick was fine. He can shoot on the goal with accurateness and strength and never fails to send it straight from any point in the rink”
“The other two Gilmours, Billie and Suddie, played a wonderful game and kept their checks right down during the whole game. McGee, considering the way he was abused, played a splendid game”
“Moore at cover-point played exceedingly well. He used excellent judgment in lifting and checked the forwards well. Pulford as usual was reliable and played well. He and Moore managed to keep the Vic forward well away from the goals”
“Lockerby’s work was gilt-edged”
Another Ottawa paper reported: “McGee was the player who was closely watched by the Vics and by the spectators who kept yelling ‘Watch McGee!’ Watch McGee!’ Frank was watched and hammered by plugged away with indomitable pluck. Billy and Suddie Gilmour made their usual brilliant rushes despite the juicy ice”
“On the defence Moore and Pulford played in that reliable fashion that has characterized their work all season and were well back up by Bouse Hutton”
“On the Vics, Bowie was the best and his speedy rushes were dangerous in the first half. In the second he was obviously wearied and his playing was slowed. B. Strachan did not play hockey at all. He chopped all the time and was not very particular as to what he chopped. Allan and Russell could not hold Suddie and Billy Gilmour. The defence was in great fettle and put up a clean strong game. W. Strachan is often a rough player but Saturday while he played hard, he played cleanly. Fairbanks was very steady and was a tower of strength to his team”
“McGee did most of the following up for Ottawa and worked himself to the limit”
Final Score: 1-1
Rosters
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, Westwick (replaced by D. Gilmour) at rover, McGee at center, S. Gilmour and W. Gilmour on the wings
Victorias: Lockerby in goal, W. Strachan at point, Fairbanks at cover, Bowie at rover, B. Strachan at center, Russell and Allan on the wings
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Victorias | B. Strachan or Bowie | Russell | Maybe Bowie |
Playoff Game #2: Montreal Victorias vs Ottawa HC, 10 March 1903
Pulford lays out Russell to end a run. McGee hits B. Strachan hard as well. S. Gilmour or McGee scores the first goal in a scrum near the front of the net. Bowie is dangerous, and Hutton has to be on his game. S. Gilmour scores, then D. Gilmour does the same. McGee or D. Gilmour adds to the scoring off a pass from W. Gilmour. Hutton stops a couple shots from Bowie. D. Gilmour scores again. Lockerby makes a couple nice saves and receives applause from the crowd. Russell hits Pulford hard. McGee scores twice in quick succession. W. Gilmour scores the last of the match.
A Montreal paper wrote: “Blair Russell played a steady game throughout and worked hard every minute. Russell Bowie did his best, but the pull of the previous game had told heavily on him, and there were occasions when it was evident that he was back to the ropes and sparring for wind”
“The loss of Westwick did not affect the team to any appreciable extent”
“There was but little spectacular about the match. The ice was heavy and covered with water and it was difficult to perform any nice work upon it. It was just in such shape as to give an advantage to such men as Moore, Pulford and Billy Strachan, and all three of these players put up a good game. Pulford was merciless with his body, and any one who came within his territory suffered severely”
Some Rat Portage players were there to watch the game. The goalie, Dulmade, reportedly claimed either ‘McGee is the only man on the Ottawa team we are afraid of’ or ‘I have carefully watched the Ottawas this evening, and I think the only player that we need to be afraid of is McGee’ or ‘That McGee is a wonder and we are more afraid of him than any of your other forwards’
An Ottawa paper reported: “Moore’s work at cover point was simply superb. He checked hard but clean, and was not off during the whole game. He has become one of the best men in the position that the Ottawas ever had. Pulford at point was reliable and true. He never made a mistake during the whole game”
“Willie Gilmoure played the closest, hardest game he has played since he has come into senior company, and Dave, for a man who has only been to practice about five times this winter, played excellently. His shooting is his great feature and his general stick handling is certainly A-1”
“Suddie seemed slow, but he never let his man too far away from him”
“McGee is certainly a wonder, and the way he rushes in to block the point or cover point’s lift is beautiful”
A ref said ‘Those Gilmour boys play great hockey’
“Frank McGee has earned for himself the title of ‘Cresceus’. The way he puts his head down and goes into block long lifts makes the most of them wonder”
“When Frank [McGee] checks he checks to win”
“W. Gilmour never played a better game in his life. He certainly was the slickest man on the ice”
“When Moore checks a man he simply nails him to the mast. They only want one experience with him”
“Hutton smiles when he sees the puck coming at him and blocks it as cool as pie”
“Lockerby’s long neck enables him to watch the rubber well”
Another Ottawa paper reported: “Lockerby’s work in goal was stellar”
“W. Strachan stopped many shots too”
“Hutton in the Ottawa flags had little to do”
“Russell Bowie was the most conspicuous of the visitors”
“Frank McGee did the most work but everyone has fallen into the habit of looking to Frank to do that and his splendid playing was accepted as quite an ordinary occurrence. It was his trick to follow up fast, block the puck when lifted by a Vic defence man and try a shot or pass to Billy ilmour, who was always close behind him. McGee seemed indefatigable and was going just as fast towards the end of the game as in the beginning. He played Bert Strachan off his feet and invariably got the better of the face-off”
“Billy Gilmour had his check up in the air all the time and went up the side like a whirlwind. He was unselfish with the puck and that was the reason that he did not score more frequently. He would slide through the Vics’ defence and pass to McGee, who would shoot”
“Davie GIlmour gave some of the prettiest exhibitions of stick-handling ever seen on Ottawa ice and was always cool and collected”
“Suddie Gilmour was quite as expert as his brothers”
“Russell and Bowie played best for the Vics, though some of their defence men were good, too”
“Billy Gilmour had plenty of staying power”
“Lockerby is a goal-keeper of the ‘best-ever’ type”
“Pulford’s lifting is improving from game to game”
“W. Strachan was a second goal-keeper for the Vics”
“Blair Russell was the most effective worker on the Vic’s forward line”
“Allen was stiff with his checks”
“Bowie, on fast ice, would be a dangerous man. He is a very speedy skater”
Final Score: 8-0 Ottawa HC
Rosters
Victorias: Lockerby in goal, W. Strachan at point, Fairbanks at cover, Bowie at rover, B. Strachan at center, Allan and Russell on the wings
Ottawa: Hutton in goal, Pulford at point, Moore at cover, McGee at rover, D. Gilmour at center, S. Gilmour and B. Gilmour on the wings
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour or McGee | D. Gilmour | N/A |
| Ottawa | S. Gilmour | McGee | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | McGee | W. Gilmour |
| Ottawa | McGee or D. Gilmour | W. Gilmour | N/A |
| Ottawa | D. Gilmour | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa | McGee | D. Gilmor | N/A |
| Ottawa | W. Gilmour | McGee | N/A |
Retro All Star Team
Since I have pretty solid proof of which positions the forwards played in, I’m going to switch to a more traditional All Star team format. This does hurt a couple centers and rovers, as it looks like those guys were usually the better players. In an odd turn of events, the position of cover had a pretty rough year. Davidson for the Shamrocks looks like an up-and-comer, as does Power for Quebec, but Boon clearly has the best star power (even though he also filled in at rover occasionally). Moore is another cover with a lot of positive press, but I don’t think he contributed as much offensively. On the forward line, Bowie and McGee are easy picks- they destroyed the league offensively, even though Bowie missed one game and McGee two. The wingers are a little harder to pick, but the Gilmour brothers are worthy picks here- they were doing well even before McGee joined the team, though he no doubt boosted their stats a bit. LW had some decent competition in Russell (Victorias) and Phillips (Montreal HC), but RW seems pretty bare.
In terms of an MVP, it has to be McGee. I knew about McGee's prowess as a scorer, but he is being mentioned in almost all facets of the game. What a phenomenal player, and one (of several, I'm sure) that I almost certainly ranked too low.
Goalie: Nicholson, Montreal HC
Point: Pulford, Ottawa HC
Cover: Boon, Montreal HC
Rover: Bowie, Montreal Victorias
LW: W. Gilmour, Ottawa HC
Center: McGee, Ottawa HC
RW: S. Gilmour, Ottawa HC
