Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Victorias, 14 February 1896
A Winnipeg paper wrote: “McDougall got the puck for nearly the only time in the match”
“To make up for Bain [who was off with a penalty- which was frequent this game]] the Winnipeg forwards had to consider themselves like Roman legionaries, equal to 10 eastern barbarians”
“Here Flett and Merritt were simply superb, and they turned the repeated rushes of Montreal like a stone wall. Hot ones were fairly rained on Merritt at times, but he stopped them all. To the defence belong the credit of the victory.
Quoting a Toronto-Montreal special- ‘In the first half the Winnipeg men played decidedly the better game, and succeeded in getting past Jones twice. This was principally due to the poor play of the Montreal team’s defence and the erratic work of Grant. The playing of the Winnipeg goal keeper was simply phenomenal, especially in the second half”
A Montreal paper reported: “In goal Merritt was a phenom; their whole defence was superb, and their forward division worked like lightning, had excellent combination, and shot with fatal accuracy. On the other hand, the Montreal defence was weak in the first half, Grant particularly so. In fact it was his dallying with the puck, when he could have lifted it, that is more than indirectly responsible for the loss of the match”
“Davidson was splendid; Flett and Armitage showed great combination tactics, and Howard showed himself a hard checker”
“Hartland McDougall was a great improvement at every point and played a fine game”
“It was all due to the great work of Merritt”
Another Montreal paper noted: “As for the goal-keeper [Merritt], if we may be pardoned slang, he is a ‘corker’. The Winnipeg goal might as well have been boarded up. There was no shot too difficult for Merritt to stop. His splendid play was a feature. Higginbotham, the point, played a remarkably steady game. Of the forwards, Campbell, Bain and Armytage did the work. Howard has fallen off since his last visit to Montreal”
“Shirley Davidson played the game for the home team; he was the life of the forward line, and never let up a moment. Bob McDougall was a disappointment, but it is hardly his fault, he has not had very much practice. McLea played a fair game; at the end of the first half his eye was injured and he had to retire, being replaced by Hartland McDougall, who played a splendid game at cover pont. Henderson’s work at point was effective, and Jones played well between the poles”
Score: 2-0 Winnipeg Victorias
Rosters
Winnipeg: Merritt in goal, Flett at point, Higginbotham at cover, Armytage, Howard, Bain, and Campbell at forward
Montreal: Jones in goal, Henderson at point, Grant at cover, McDougall, Wallace, McLea, and Davidson at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Winnipeg | Armytage or Bain | Possibly Howard
Possibly Bain | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Campbell | N/A | N/A |
Montreal Victorias vs Winnipeg Victorias, 30 December 1896
A Winnipeg paper wrote: “... Grant obtained, and gave a fine show o what some cover points were capable of doing”
“Gordon Lewis, the goal-keeper, is a man Montreal may well be proud of, and the Victoria hockey club be happy in the possession of. He is certainly a splendid custodian, as his work last night clearly proved. He had many shots to stop, and he acquitted himself in such a manner that nothing else can be said but that he did his duty well. He is a very rapid clearer and does not allow the puck to linger very long in the vicinity of his posts; and he is very creditable on the lift. Henderson at point was all that could be desired. He was always to be seen on the right spot and at the right time when wanted. Captain Grant as cover-point could not be improved upon. In those meteoric flashes of his last night, he doubtless caused many to think of poor ‘Higgy’ and how he used to shine along those same lines. As a check he was of immense value to his team, not that he used any great roughness, but he used his body wisely. He was ever strong when lifting and his play right throughout the game was most praiseworthy. It is an old saying that ‘comparisons are odious’, but aside from that it would be unwise to single out any player of the Montreal forward line of last night and say he played the best of them all. They are a quartette of brilliant stick handlebars, and skillful manipulators of the puck. They are splendid skaters and individually and as a combination they were greatly admired last night. Then there is not one man among them who is not a good shot on goal. They were as quick as steel traps to take every chance which offered itself to them on the ice during the match”
“That the number of goals which the Winnipegs were defeated by was not larger is owing to the brilliant defence game put up by Merritt and Flett. Merritt was a grand goal keeper. Some of the shots he stopped were simply marvellous. He has certainly not lost his reputation because he played on a losing side, but he has added to it, for he stopped every shot that it was possible for a mortal to stop. ‘Roddy’ Flett, as point, has not a peer in Canada. He played the star game of the team last night, his work throughout the whole game was almost perfect. He was indefatigable in his efforts. He was here, there and everywhere, and always there when wanted first. He stopped many a deadly rush on goal last night, and spoilt many a combine. He was not caught napping at any stage of the game, and when he was called upon to fill cover point position, he was of inestimable value to the forward rank while playing in that position. Charlie Hohnston did not play the game that was looked for from him. He was not sure at any point o the game, although he did some excellent work at times. Of the forwards what can be said, but that they played there best game they could and it was nearly as good as the Montrealers, but not quite. Armytage worked like a Trojan and not till the finish of the game did he acknowledge defeat. Howard was as true on the goal as ever, and he caused Lewis, the Montreal goal keeper, not a little uneasiness. He undoubtedly lost one goal last night by some means or other. Bain and Campbell both played hard, conscientious hockey”
“Gordon Lewis, who plays goal this year for the Victorias, has not been seen on the team for the past three years. He was born in Montreal 23 years ago, is 5 ft. 9 in. in height and weighs 156 pounds… Three years ago he won on the senior team, but in the following football season, while playing with the Montreal club, he was unfortunate enough to have his left knee cap broken. This of course laid him up very effectually… It was a surprise to many to see him don the maroon jersey again this year, but his old record as a star goalkeeper and the work he has done in practice this year, fully justifies his selection by the committee. It is not only that he is exceedingly sure in stopping, but he is quick at returning and the work that he has done behind the flags has at times been phenomenal”
“D. Howard Henderson, who plays at point, is the tallest man on the team, going a quarter inch of the six foot mark. He is also a Montrealer by birth. He is 21 years of age and weighs in condition 150 lbs… His height is of course greatly to his advantage in the position he holds. He is an excellent skater and is utterly fearless of the biggest man or the strongest rush. At lifting he is an adept and he needs very little room or time in which to lift. He is decidedly one of the best men on the team”
“Captain Michael Grant is undoubtedly one of the best known hockey players in eastern Canada. Among the younger generation of players in Montreal his has been a name to conjure by. He was born in Montreal in 1874, stands 5 ft, 10 in. in height and tips the scale at 170… Captain Grant is undoubtedly a tower of strength to his team. His keener critics said that last year was an "off" year with him, but, whether that be so or not his work this season has been fully up to his old standard. He has body enough and pluck enough to stop any rush and is himself quick to take the aggressive when the occasion offers. As a captain he has few superiors for he is cool, even to a fault, and knowing his men thoroughly he is well aware of their capabilities at all times”
“Shirley Davidson, who is considered by many to be the bright particular star of the Victorias’ forward line, comes from good athletic stock… The subject of this sketch was born in Montreal in 1875. He is 5 ft. 6 in. in height and weighs 150 pounds. At a casual glance it would not be thought that he was so heavy a man, but he ‘strips’ well and is always in the pink…. For the past four years he has figured on the seniors, and it can be honestly said that he has not played a poor game in all that time. When his play was varied it has simply been more brilliant on some occasions than on others. He is an exceedingly rapid skate, dodges well, has perfect control of the puck and shoots with accuracy and swiftness. He is an adept in breaking his opponents combinations, the one point in which his fellow forwards are most decidedly weak.”
“Graham Drinkwater’s athletic career runs in exactly a similar groove to that of Davidson. He is just the same age, though he is 5:10 ½ in height and weighs 164 pounds… He, too, is a swift skater, and good stick handler, and his work in combination with Davidson and McDougall has won him any amount of praise in the past”
“Bob McDougall, another Montrealer born, is only 20 years of age. He is 5 feet 6 ½ inches and weighs 158 pounds… but in the meantime he is putting up just such a game of hockey as the gods delight to see. He is quick as a flash, and is very sure footed. His shooting is accurate and he perhaps scores more often in a season than any man on the Victoria team. He has played for three years with the seniors, and has always retained his place on the team”
“Hartland McDougall is no relation to Bob… He is 20 years of age, 5 ft. 10 ½ in. in height, and weighs 158 pounds. He has generally played defence, having occupied the goal one season and played cover point for a portion of another. He is a ‘general utility man’, for he has several times played more than an ordinarily good game on the forward line, but on the whole his hockey is not up to the same standard as that of the others. He is a fast skater, and a hard all round player, but is not a strong stick handler”
“Ernest H. McLea, a Montrealer by birth, is 20 years of age, 5 ft. 10 in. in height and weighs 149 pounds…He plays with a vim and dash, but of necessity he lacks the experience of the others on the forward line. He is certainly indefatigable, and as he would cheerfully tackle a runaway freight train on a downgrade he is particularly useful in breaking up opposing combinations”
“Dave Gillelan is 24 years of age, 5 ft. 8 ½ in. in height and weighs 155 pounds… He is a strong aggressive forward through his passing is not at all times as accurate as might be desired”
“W.C. Young, of the Ottawa Amatuer Athletic Club, who has been chosen by the trustees of the Stanley cup to referee the match, is one of the best known athletes in Ontario or Quebec”
A Montreal paper wrote: “Davidson’s head work was much admired”
“McDougall made the star run of the match”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Mike Grant distinguished himself more than any other individual on the montreal team, and great credit is due him or his splendid work. He was a mountain of strength. Time and again did he take the puck from end to end of the rink, and that he did not score was not his fault, but the brilliant play of Merritt, the goal keeper. Grant played the game of his life”
The player profiles quoted earlier are written here as well, slightly modified. The only change of interest is in the Grant portion; “Eastern Canada probably does not contain a better hockey player than Captain Michael Grant. Captain Grant was born in 1874, stands 5 ft. 10 in. in height, and tips the scales at 170”
“MacDougall of Montreal is playing a star game”
“Merritt, Flett, and Armytage are playing great game for Winnipeg”
Final Score: 6-5 Montreal Victorias
Rosters
Montreal: Lewis in goal, Henderson at point, Grant at cover, McDougall at center or rover, McLea at center or rover, Drinkwater at LW, and Davidson at RW
Winnipeg: Merritt in goal, Flett at point, Johnston at cover, Armytage at center or rover, Bain at center or rover, Campbell at LW, and Howard at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Winnipeg | Bain | Campbell | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Campbell or Armytage | Howard | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Howard | Armytage | N/A |
| Montreal | McLea | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Davidson | Drinkwater | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Howard | Bain | N/A |
| Montreal | Davidson | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | McLea | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | McDougall or Drinkwater | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Bain | Campbell | N/A |
| Montreal | McLea | Drinkwater | N/A |
Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Victorias, 15 February 1899
A Winnipeg paper wrote: “Armytage played in his old time form and filled Bain’s place in great style. Whitey, Johnstone, and Benson are a defence to be proud of and no better ever played in Montreal”
“Drinkwater has just made one of his famous rushes”
“Out o the bunch came Bain and brought the puck out with tremendous cheering, and after a wide shot, the puck rebounded in front and Winnipeg scored the first game”
“Davidson was making one of his famous rushes…”
“Bain received a second warning. He is playing a great game”
“Benson is Flett’s equal”
A Montreal paper reported: “Gingras and Bain, in particular, got over the ice in superb style, and usually got the puck whenever they went after it”
Another Montreal paper noted: “It was well for Winnipeg that their goal tend, Merritt, is one of no ordinary merit!”
“Both teams’ defences were strong, but the Montreal Victorias’ showed up to better advantage owing to the ability of Grant and Drinkwater to go down the ice whenever there was an opening”
“Bain did some wonderful sprinting, and he always managed to get back after the puck when it went toward his own goals”
“The Montreal VIctorias defence was in great trim and the manner in which Grant and Drinkwater played was wonderful. Grant was in fine form and played the very game of his life, while Drinkwater surpassed himself”
“One man was looked after in great style, and that was Bob Macdougall. Whenever Macdougall got into the vicinity of the Winnipeg goal, something happened that spoiled his chances. He was either sandwiched, or bodied, or his stick went flying into space, but whatever it was he got but slight chance to distinguish himself. But for all that he managed to be on hand at all times and got around in time to score one of the goals. Dr. Davidson did some rattling good work and had the misfortune to receive a nasty crack in the nose early in the match which necessitated his absence for a few minutes for repair. But he stayed at the game and his work was very evident at all times. Ernie McLea played what the boys would call ‘a horse of a game’. He was after the puck every moment and his checking was rather worrying to his cover. Bowie did some clever work and his stick handling was one of the many features of the match. He took some pretty desperate chances in getting between the side of the rink and his opponent, but he generally managed to slip by”
“The star of the Winnipeg forward line was Bain. He played a splendid game and the Winnipeg men say that i he had been on the ice in the last few minutes the Montrealers would not have scored”
“He [Bain] was replaced by Armytage, who is a pretty good man, but he is not Bain by any means. Gingras on the right wing is a good hard worker and Campbell on the other wing is every bit as good as any other wing man. Howard, the rover, played a fine game and his shooting was better than that of any of his fellow forwards”
Final Score: 2-1 Montreal Victorias
Rosters
Winnipeg: Merritt in goal, Benson at point, Johnstone at cover, Bain (injured in second half, replaced by Armytage), Howard, Campbell, and Gingras at forward
Montreal: Lewis in goal, Drinkwater at point, Grant at cover, Cam Davidson, McLea, McDougall, and Bowie at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Winnipeg | Gingras or Bain | Maybe Bain | Possibly Howard |
| Montreal | McDougall | Davidson | N/A |
| Montreal | Drinkwater | N/A | N/A |
Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Victorias, 18 February 1899
The infamous game where McDougall slashed Gingras. 7000 people reportedly watched this one.
A Winnipeg paper wrote: “The Winnipeggers, despite the absence of Bain, their star forward man, had decidedly the advantage in the first half:
“The Montreal forwards, with the exception of Davidson, who did most of the playing that was done on the Montreal team, were slow and missed many opportunities”
A Montreal paper noted: “At the start the home team again had a spell of defence work, young Davidson being the only man keen on the puck”
Another Montreal paper reported: “Bain’s absence was a big handicap to them”
Final Score: 3-2 Montreal
Rosters
Winnipeg: Merritt in goal, Benson at point, Johnstone at cover, Gingras, Armytage, Howard, and Campbell at forward
Montreal: Lewis in goal, Drinkwater at point, Grant at cover, McLea, C. Davidson, McDougall, and Bowie at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Winnipeg | Armytage or Gingras | Howard | Maybe GIngras |
| Winnipeg | Howard or Armytage | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Davidson or McDougall | Bowie | N/A |
| Montreal | Bowie | McDougall | N/A |
| Montreal | McDougall | N/A | N/A |
Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Shamrocks, 12 February 1900
A Winnipeg paper wrote: “The Shamrocks also got in some fast play and had it at the Winnipeg end when Bain got possession and went down the ice as only Bain can, and scored”
“Bain, who seems to be everywhere, relieved…”
Quoting the Montreal Herald- “Wall, at cover point, cool and collected, lifted the puck the length of the rink as if in a practice game where nothing was at stake. Tansey ably seconded him. McKenna, on the poles, at first had little to do, but that little he did well. Trihey, Brennen, Scnalan, and Farrell worked together almost as if they were parts of one machine”
“Charley Johnstone, at cover point, was a match for any forward, and kept feeding the puck to his forwards with a regularity and sureness which could not help but inspire the greatest confidence in the forwards”
Quoting The Mail: “Gingras’ play was the star feature of the match”
A Montreal paper reported: “And, on the other hand, the work of the Winnipeg forwards was so good that it would be a difficult matter to choose any of them out for special mentino. True, Bain was the king-pin of the lot, but there was not much to choose between him and Gingras, who played a game that will stand out prominently in the annals of this great game of ours”
“McKenna stopped some wonderful shots and saved some sure scores in remarkable style. Tansey and Wall played a splendid game and though both of them were sent to the fence for offences committed it was hardly surprising that in the great heat of the game either of them should have forgotten himself”
“Jack Brannan is easily Bain’s peer in speed, though he is not the same effective combination, where Bain will be yards in the rear and Brannen’s spurts last night were wonderful to behold. The Winnipeg men have a splendid stick handler in Gingras, but they have to deal with Trihey and there is Farrell to be taken into account. Arrell did some work on the ice last night that was wonderful”
“Dan Bain speedily became the favorite of the audience and his work all through was loudly applauded”
“Johnstone’s work at cover was good and the husky Winnipeg man created uite an impression by his style of play”
Final Score: 4-3 Winnipeg
Rosters
Winnipeg: Merritt in goal, Flett at cover, Johnstone at cover, Bain (center), Gingras (RW), Roxburgh (rover), and Campbell (LW) at forward
Shamrocks: McKenna in goal, Tansey at point, Wall at cover, Trihey, Scanlan, Farrell, and Brennan at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Scanlan | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Bain | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Trihey | Farrell | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Campbell or Bain | Roxburgh | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Gingras | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Bain | Campbell | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Trihey | N/A | N/A |
Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Shamrocks, 14 February 1900
There is a play by play provided by the Winnipeg paper, and Bain is all over it. He sounds like a force in this one.
A Winnipeg paper reported: “Trihey was the star of the Shams, and on the other side Johnstone made a hero of himself, and his feat of scoring two goals from center ice is an unprecedented one in the annals of hockey, and will make his name in a household word among lovers of the game. Flett is also a marvel, and was time and again applauded for his neat, clean lifts and cool-headed work. The Winnipeg forward line did magnificent individual work, and the checking was close and desperately swift. The indefatigable Bain was several times on the point of scoring, and the impetuosity of his rushes was a feature of the play. Gingras did not make the sensational hits of the previous match but no man could do that twice. Roxburgh was more than once prevented from registering a score by the nearest margin, and Campbell got in a number of hot shots in his usual cool style”
“McKenna in goal and Tansey at point cover the net with surprising agility”
“At it again and in exactly one minute the greatest cover point in the world [referring to Johnstone] had the puck on centre ice and shot again with the same result. Another goal for the Pegs”
A Montreal paper wrote: “Captain Trihey out generaled Captain Bain”
“Then Shamrock appeared stronger. This was especially so with Farrell and Scanlan. The work these men performed, finishing strong and willing at that, would have prostrated ordinary men. Their pluck and gameness went a long way in the Shamrock’s success. At the outset Gingras’ speed and quick recovery bothered Scanlan, but later the gritty Shamrock wing, standing up under a continuous run of the hardest body work and checking any defence can administer to an overly aggressive forward, got his man in limbo. With the trying finish poor Gingras absolutely wilted and done was no match for the great little Irishman”
“Farrell’s work came early in the first half. Farrell cut a merry pace that made Campbell stand to right from the initial whistle. Unlike Scanlan Farrell had his man well in hand at all stages. He was the Shamrock’s wing work that counted last night, and Farrell and Scanlan did the work. In centre ice Captain Trihey’s superb stick handling will scarcely ever be equalled in championship again. His generalship though was the key note. In hard straight hockey Bain and Roxburgh last night lost nothing by contrast with Trihey’s and Brannen’s game- Brannen, perhaps, had a shafe the better of Roxburgh, and certainly gained territory on Wall’s lifts through his speed than did the Winnipeg man in following Johnstone’s and Flett’s relief pucks up the ice”
“Winnipeg’s defence in close, confined, haphazard work are unbeatable. Johnstone and Flett are the strongest and hardest pair ever standing before a hockey goal. It is different, though, in breaking up a forward system such as the Shamrock’s possess”
“Flett was tough and strong”
“Johnstone’s lifting was always off, Wall distancing him in this respect. Johnstone’s and lett’s excessive predilection for lifting was decidedly trying on the quartett in the line ahead. Wall’s lifting, on the other hand, was of the right king, judiciously employed, generally with his men hanged about Merritt’s flags”
“Tansey’s point game was a fin exhibition of brainy hockey. Both he and Wall brought the gypsum out time and again centering to their forwards with an [unclear] gain. Tansey’s blocking of Campbell’s surface pucks was a feature of the work behind either the Shamrock or Victoria lines”
Another Montreal paper noted: “Both Campbell and GIngras played a strong, effective game, but they had not the same opportunities as on Monday night, and there were not the same wide openings for them to go through. Both Scanlan and Farrell played a far superior game and Scan’s work was particularly good. He carried the puck out time after time, and went down the ice in great style, and had he been fortunate in his shooting there ought to have been some goals to his credit. Farrell did well, and when it is understood that he was suffering from a peculiar indisposition, the excellence of his work will be better appreciated. Jack Brannen’s speed was a great factor in the game, and his work was a vast improvement over his previous form. Harry Trihey showed cool generalship, and his work was in every way worthy of the leader of such a splendid team”
“Wall’s lifts and rushes and Tansey’s stops and rushes were features”
“McKenna’s work was just right”
“Their defence was good, and Johnston played a particularly good game. Flett seemed to have fallen off a bit, but ‘Whitey’ Merritt exhibited his usual skill”
Final Score: 3-2 Shamrocks
Rosters
Winnipeg: Merritt in goal, Flett at point, Johnstone at cover, Blain (rover), Campbell, Roxburgh (center), and Gingras at forward
Shamrocks: McKenna in goal, Tansey at point, Wall at cover, Farrell, Scanlan, Trihey, and Brannen at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Trihey | Scanlan | Brannen |
| Winnipeg | Johnstone or Campbell | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Johnstone or Bain | Maybe Johnstone | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Brannen or Trihey | Farrell | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Trihey | Scanlan | N/A |
Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Shamrocks, 16 February 1900
A Winnipeg paper reported: “...the puck was faced at 8:32 between the sticks of the cyclonic Trihey and irrepressible Roxburgh”
“Bain is the greatest player on the ice, for he is doubly guarded, and keeps two of the Shamrocks humping to hold him down. Gingras makes his Napoleonic rushes with marvellous effect, while Roxburgh and Campbell simply set their teeth and keep going with the tireless pertinacity of devils”
A Montreal paper noted: “Johnstone and Flett are a splendid pair to have in front of a goal, and they stood off the Shamrock attacks as no other team has done”
Final Score: 5-4 Shamrocks
Rosters
Winnipeg: Merritt in goal, Flett at point, Johnstone at cover, Bain, Gingras, Campbell, and Roxburgh at forward
Shamrocks: McKenna in goal, Tansey at point, Wall at cover, Trihey, Farrell, Scanlan, and Brannen at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Trihey | Wall | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Gingras or Bain | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Bain | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Trihey | Farrell | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Farrell | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Farrell or Brannen or Scanlan | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Gingras | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Roxburgh or Bain or Gingras | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Trihey | Brannen | N/A |
Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Shamrocks, 29 January 1901
A Winnipeg paper reported: “The Victorias were first to appear, and were greeted with great applause, the audience recognizing Bain, Gingras, Johnstone and Rod Flett at once, while a great deal of interest was awakened by the beautiful skating of Wood, who as a young player, caused considerable conjecture and speculation. ‘Whitey’ Merritt was missed, and his successor, Brown, came in for a large amount of close scrutiny, which he fully warrants, for his work was beautiful. Magnus Flett, too, came in for his share of interest”
“Bain was hounded by two men without stop and so closely checked that he could not shoot. He passed frequently to Wood or GIngras and they sent in dozens of hot shots on McKenna, who certainly played a star game”
“Johnstone scored one. He’ll do better than that yet. He is only getting warmed up”
“The Winnipeg defence is breaking up the Shamrocks’ combination work. More power to them”
“Bain and Burke Wood are doing the trick of scoring between them. They are a hard team to beat”
“Gingras generally seems to score when the most need is. As a benedict he is not a whit less great”
“Brown felt bad about that high lift. Not at all, Art. It was not your fault; no one but an owl could see it among the rafters”
A Montreal paper wrote: “Wood was a hard man to figure on, and nobody knew exactly what Gingras was going to do, so that the Shamrock defence were kept very busy, indeed. Wall and Grant were both trying the lifting game, but the visitors gauged the drops well”
“Incidentally, Bain is a peach”
“Wall made one of his dangerous lifts which should have scored”
Final Score: 4-3 Winnipeg
Rosters
Winnipeg: Brown in goal, R. Flett at point, M. Flett at cover, Johnson, Bain, Gingras, and Wood at forward
Shamrocks: McKenna in goal, Wall at point, Grant at cover, Scanlan, Brannen, Trihey, and Farrell at forward
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Shamrocks | Farrell or Trihey | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Johnstone or Bain or Gingras | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Bain or Gingras | Maybe Gingras | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Wood or Johnstone | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Farrell or Brannen | N/A | N/A |
| Shamrocks | Wall | N/A | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Wood | Gingras | N/A |
Winnipeg Victorias vs Montreal Shamrocks, 31 January 1901
A Winnipeg paper reported: “Bain scored both goals last night and is probably the greatest player the world ever saw, but Gingras, Johnstone, Wood and the others also played mighty games. The defence was equally as strong. The Flett Brothers’ combination was a happy hit of Armytage, and worked ot perfection. By all reports Rod put up the greatest point game in a superlatively great career while Brown, in goal, well deserves the name ‘wizard’.
“Bain scored both goals and played from the first like a man whose very soul was at stake for he possibly knew it was ‘now or never’. His pluck, speed and endurance were magnificent for he was watched a pounded in a special manner”
“On the left Burke Wood played against Farrell and not only ‘held him down’ but occasionally took a turn in centre ice. Farrell put up the game of his life but couldn’t score, which is saying a whole lot for Wood”
“On the right Gingras played Scanlan, and here was a battle royal. Gingras rushed his man and got in dozens of hot shots on McKenna, who put up a brilliant game throughout and saved a big score. Gingras as usual wa a hot favorite with the audience owing to his desperate spirits”
“In centre ice were Johnstone, Bain, Trihey and Brennan- and where will you ind another such a quartette? Johnstone is a veritable western cycling and whirls all over the ice coming at the puck and the man who has it from all directions, like a regular old-time norwester. He plays the position of ‘rover’ much more effectively than he ever did that of cover-[point. He is an ideal rover and never tires using either his body or his stick. He plays as if it was the greatest fun in the world after he got well warmed up. He is a steam engine at breaking up a combination. As for the Winnipeg defence, it was magical. Brown is the equal of anything ever seen here. The two Fletts work well together. Magnus takes care of the men and Rod handles the puck. They checked the ‘Green’ men so closely that it was impossible to score. They never lifted very far or made any of those startling shots on goal which used to distinguish Charlie Johnstone at cover and which Wall and Grant still practice. The day for long lifting seems to be over. It does no good and simply wearies the team for nothing”
“Brennan, Trihey and Farrell put up their greatest game, but Scanlan seemed afraid of his weak ankle-bone. On the defence Mike Grant was strong. He is far ahead of Tansey of last year, though not so pretty a player. Wall saved his goal scores of times and McKenna simply out-did himself”
“Trihey played like a demon and retrieved his fame until he was laid out in a hard body check from Mag. Flett. He went down and off the ice with a very sore wrist. Wood, who played brilliantly and seemed fresh, was laid off for the rest of the time the game went on”
“Carruthers at key says Bain, Gingras and Johnstone played the game of their lives. Bain was very roughly handled in the second part. Never could move unless he was heavily bodychecked. Brown saved the game for the Winnipegs”
“Flett brothers played a great game together”
A Montreal paper wrote: “The Shamrocks were weak in the defence, insofar as both Wall and Grant seemed to be duplicates in their own particular defence play. A little more dangerous man than Wall with his lifting ability would be difficult to find on hockey ice today. Grant is likewise a goodlifter, i no quite so accurate as Wall, with the added advantage of being able to rush well and use the body to good effect. But when Grant rushes and gets to the other side of the rink he does not get back in time enough to play his position, and stop the dash of a man like Gingras or Bain or Wood”
“ALthough McKenna made some sensational stops the men in front of him did not seem to have the necessary confidence, the result of which was that point and cover seemed to use up each other’s ground, and therefore lost ground”
“The work of Johnson and Gingras for the visitors was particularly worthy of note”
“What looked to be a fine run of Grant’s which nearly resulted in a score ended unexpectedly. He did not get back to place in time and Gingras came along like a ghost, and had the puck with him. He scored the game, the match was over, and Winnipeg had captured the Stanley Cup”
Final Score: 2-1 Victorias
Rosters
Winnipeg: Brown in goal, R. Flett at point, M. Flett at cover, Johnstone at rover, Bain at center, Wood at LW, Gingras at RW
Shamrocks: McKenna in goal, Grant at point, Wall at cover, Trihey at rover, Brennan at center, Scanlan at LW, and Farrell at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Winnipeg | Bain or Gingras | Maybe Gingras
Maybe Bain | Johnstone |
| Shamrocks | Trihey | Scanlan or Brannen | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Bain or Gingras | N/A | N/A |
Montreal HC vs Winnipeg Victorias, 13 March 1902
A Winnipeg paper reported: “Dan Bain’s fine work in the match”
“To Winnipeggers who know already what to expect from their own men perhaps the most noticeable individual playing was that of Boon, the featherweight cover-point for the Montreals. Liffiton is a remarkably swift, skillful, and tireless player, though, one regrets to say, a little illegitimate at times in his style of play”
“If any of the Montrealers took any stock in the talk of one of their papers about Dan Bain’s being a ‘has been’, they will now be undeceived. He was a tower of strength to the Winnipeggers and his return to the ice is a fortunate thing for them. Johnstone and Gingras maintained their reputations, and what more can be said. Art Brown retrieved a reputation that had suffered during the earlier part of the season. It was a star exhibition of goal keeping that he put up, especially in the close work around the goal”
“Scanlan, who was checked by Liffiton, worked hard and well. The defensive game played by the Vics gave Roddy and Magnus Flett plenty of exercise, and plenty of opportunity to show what sort of a defence they could put up. It is needless to say what that was. Roddy, though he appeared almost a shade dilatory at times displayed admirable quickness and soundness of judgment, in addition to his ability as a check and stickhandler. Magnus distinguished himself as usual in his position. He is even better than last year- and a good deal better, at that”
“Bain’s shooting was immense”
A Montreal paper wrote: “Individually Boon, cover point and captain of the team, was the bet man on his side. His physique made a strong body-checking game an impossibility, but he is on to every known trick of the game, and his checking is entirely for the puck. This evening he proved very effective, and his long lifting on more than on occasion put the Vics’ goal in extreme danger. Liffiton, the right wing man, was easily the best among the forwards. He is a stylish player and is possessed of great speed. He worked all the way, hard and clearly aoutpointed Scanlan, whom he was checking. Hooper, the rover, is a very strong player, and his shooting was one of the features of the game. Marshall and Gardiner, the other two forwards, worked hard and meant well, but they were not effective. Hodge, the gigantic point player, is the weak spot of the team. He has no speed and his lifting is uncertain. Nicholson, in goals, played a steady game. For the Vics, Bain, the veteran of a hundred fights, was the hero of the occasion. Fast as lightning on his feet and always close to the puck, Bain gained ground whenever he secured the rubber. Gingras, on right wing, was dashing and brilliant as ever, and easily overmatched his check”
“Scanlan had a hard row to hoe in checking Liffiton, and Johnstone lacked his usual effectiveness. M. lett at cover point play a magnificent game. Not only was he a tower of strength to the defence, but when occasion offered, he was ready to assume the aggressive, and his rushes sent the crowd crazy. Roddy Flett at point played a remarkably effective game, and Brown, in goal, never showed to greater advantage”
Another Montreal paper noted: “The two Fletts and Brown, by cool and clever work, time and again prevented Liffiton and Marshall from scoring”
“The two Fletts, Brown, and Gingras were the stars. Scanlan was out-matched by Liffiton. The latter and Marshall were the stars of the Montrealers. Their splendid work kept Boon somewhat in the background in the last half, but when his services were required he was never found wanting”
Final Score: 1-0 Winnipeg
Rosters
Montreal: Nicholson in goal, Hodge at point, Boon at cover, Hooper at rover, Liffiton at LW, Marshall at center, and Gardner at RW
Winnipeg: Brown in goal, R. Flett at point, M. Flett at cover, Johnstone at rover, Gingras at LW, Bain at center, and Scanlan at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Winnipeg | Gingras | Bain | N/A |
Montreal HC vs Winnipeg Victorias, 15 March 1902
A Winnipeg paper wrote: “Good goalkeeping, to say nothing of star goalkeeping, has not been put up by the senior Victoria goalkeeper in any game this year, when the ice was such as would permit first rate shooting”
“Scanlan outshone himself and gave the best exhibition of hockey he has yet presented in Winnipeg”
“At that stage of the game Scanlan, the star man of the Vics’ forward line…”
“Nicholson made some marvellous stops”
“The second hal commenced decidedly fast with both Boon and Liffiton, the two Montreal stars, on the fence”
A Montreal paper reported: “Hooper was undoubtedly the star of the line. As rover he put up a magnificent game. His shooting was accurate, his checking was strong, and when he got the puck he never failed to gain ground. Liffiton, as right wing, is the speediest man of the quartette; he was checking Scanlan, and while he did not break through as often as in the first match, he was dangerous all the way and played brilliant hockey. Gardner, the left wing, put up a very effective article. He is a pretty skater and a nice shot, but his frequent tripping marred his otherwise good performance. He was ruled off nine times. Marshall at centre played a hard working game”
“Boone, at cover point, was the whole team and a spare man. What he does not know about the fine points of the game would not occupy much time in telling, and he brought into play every device he knew. The result was that very few of the young gentlemen in red and blue got any further than coverpoint. Those that did found a surprise party waiting or them. Hodge, the point on Thursday evening, had been thrown out, his place being taken by Bellingham, who showed splendid form. He seemed to give the team confidence, and his inclusion was a wise move. Nicholson, goal, touched the puck on three occasions”
“Scanlan was, perhaps, the pick of the lot. Dan Bain and Gingras were brilliant in sports, but they were not effective. Charlie Johnstone, as rover, did not keep his head and failed to check Hooper”
“Flett, at cover point, failed in his checking and did not get rid of the puck quickly enough. Roddy, at point, played a good game, but Brown, in goal, although he stopped a number of good shots, weakened toward the finish”
Another Montreal paper noted: “On keen ice the Montreal boys proved to be whirlwinds; even the redoubtable Tony Gingras looked slow beside them, and if by a chance his speed carried him down towards the Montreal goal, Dickey Boon was always in the way, and the puck did not remain there long. Liffiton, Boon and Hooper were the stars of the Montreals”
“He [Liffiton] ws marked apparently as a good subject for bodying and got more than his share of it. Nevertheless he not only kept track of the cleverest Vic player, Scanlan, but was a host of strength to Boon, Marshall and Hooper”
“But Dickey [Boon] was always doing something unexpected, and before the game closed was perhaps the most popular player on the ice. Gardner on the left wing was most effective. Marshall worked hard and while apparently severely hurt his toe on one occasion did not impress the crowd in this way. He was hooted as he staggered off the ice”
“Bellingham strengthened the Montreal defence. He played a cleaner, cleverer game than Hodge, and was frequently applauded. Nicholson in goal could not be improved on. He had no opportunity to distinguish himself and he had very few hot shots to stop”
Final Score: 5-0 Montreal
Rosters
Montreal: Nicholson in goal, Bellingham at point, Boon at cover, Hooper at rover, Liffiton at RW, Marshall at center, and Gardiner at LW
Winnipeg: Brown in goal, R. Flett at point, M. Flett at cover, Johnstone at rover, Gingras at RW, Bain at center, and Scanlan at LW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assis |
| Montreal | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Marshall | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Hooper | Liffiton | N/A |
| Montreal | Liffiton | Marshall | N/A |
| Montreal | Gardiner or Marshall | N/A | N/A |
Montreal HC vs Winnipeg Victorias, 17 March 1902
A Winnipeg paper wrote: “Boon is the bright particular star of the aggregation, but all the other players were stars also”
“On the home team Gingras, who was a host in himself, Scanlan, and Roddy Flett were particularly effective, but were closely run by Johnstone, Bain and Magnus Flett”
A Montreal paper reported: “It would be hard to pick the man who played the best game for the home team. On the forward line Bain and Scanlan, perhaps, divided the honors. Bain played as fast and aggressive a game as he ever did in his life. He was always on the puck, and never in his palmiest days did he show greater speed. Scanlan was the most effective man of the bunch. So far as stick handling is concerned, he is, perhaps, without a peer in Canada, and last night, whenever he touched the rubber he made ground. Some of his rushes were marvellous, and the way he dodged in and out among the opposing players never failed to bring the crowd to its feet, and earn him rounds of applause. Tony Gingras, on the right wing, did great work. Gardner, the man whom he was checking, never showed up throughout the entire play, while Tony time and time again made those brilliant rushes which have become characteristic of his play. Johnstone was back to his old form, and not one Montrealer ever broke through the line who did not afterwards have difficulty in getting clear of this stalwart forward. Magnus Flett, at cover point, broke up everything in the way of an attack, and only the remnants got past him. He played, perhaps, the hardest game on the Victoria team and showed himself to be a great cover point. R. Flett, at point, played close in on the poles, and blocked and cleared in the manner which has given him his big reputation. Brown, in goal, played right up to form”
“Hooper was the brightest man on the line. His shooting was always accurate, and his checking was simply splendid. Liffiton was not as brilliant by long odds as in the first matches, and his time was principally occupied in preventing Scanlan from breaking away. Gardner never showed very prominently in the play and did not hold Gingras as closely as he might have”
“There was one man on the Montreal team who, during the first two matches was rather overlooked by the critics. This man was Nicholson, the big goalkeeper of the team. Up to this evening he never had a chance to show what he could really do, but then the chance came and Nicholson made good”
“Decidedly, Mr. Nicholson won the game for Montreal”
“Boon, the plucky captain of the team, played the game as he never played it before. He was all over the ice, checking, blocking, and clearing with speed and accuracy. Bellingham at point was steady as a rock and overlooked nothing”
“Marshall was, as usual, seriously injured, at least a dozen times, but in spite of the fact that on one occasion he had to be carried from the ice, he showed rare plush, and managed to finish the game”
Another Montreal paper noted: “They [Boon and Bellingham] were ably assisted in the defence by Nicholson, who played the most marvellous game in goal ever witnessed here. He was cool headed throughout. Had the Vics’ goal keeper played the same kind of a game, the Cup might still be one of the adornments of the Vics’ clubrooms. Gingras’ shots seldom ‘azed’ Nicholson, when they reached him, and it was only a puzzling side shot by the Frenchman which gave the Vics their only goal”
“Bain played a whirlwind game and was always effective. Scanlan never played cleverer hockey in his life. His stick handling was marvellous to behold. Gingras played an erratic, but brilliant, game, but had difficulty at times in keeping the puck from Gardner. The two Fletts roused themselves after the first two goals were taken by Montreal, and played in their old-time form”
“Dickey Boon was simply invincible. He seldom made an error, and was always in the right spot at the right time. Marshall perhaps did not show up so well as expected, but he was always to be counted in during a mix-up. Liffiton, while playing clever, clear hockey, did not play his Saturday night game, and Scanlan at times ‘put it all over him’”
“That man Liffiton is a little wonder and a game sport”
Final Score: 2-1 Montreal
Rosters
Montreal: Nicholson in goal, Bellingham at point, Boon at cover, Hooper at rover, Liffiton at RW, Marshall at center, and Gardner at LW
Winnipeg: Brown in goal, R. Flett at point, M. Flett at cover, Johnstone at rover, Scanlan at LW, Bain at center, and Gingras at RW
| Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| Montreal | Hooper | N/A | N/A |
| Montreal | Marshall | Boon | N/A |
| Winnipeg | Gingras | Bain | N/A |
