Hockey History

Toronto outpaces the Hamilton Tigers in early contest
Three newspapers report on an OHA series game from January of 1908

A game between the Hamilton Tigers and the Toronto AC (Athletic Club) was played at the Mutual Street rink in Toronto in January of 1908. It was covered by three Toronto newspapers, and here are their accounts of the contest.

Although Toronto won the game 9-4, all reports praised the visitors from Hamilton.

Toronto Telegram

“It was a pretty fast kind of intermediate hockey that the Toronto AC and Hamilton handed out at the Mutual street rink before a handful of spectators,” said the Tely. “The teams both checked very close, though it was by no means a rough game.

“At any rate,” the story continued, ‘it was good, hard hockey, with some very fast work on the part of the individual players, and it was held at that style pretty much all through because of the brother-like affection shown by the checks. And the Tigers were in the glue game with rather more stickiness that the Torontos, who showed a tendency to wonder and let roam. But the locals checked back fast, but not man for man as good seniors might to do.”

The Telegram noted that the Hamilton goalkeeper took a puck over the eye, and had to leave the game, and that the replacement threw a monkey wrench into the Hamilton game plan:

“They were handicapped by the loss of Morden, goal, who was hit in the eye with the puck and forced to retire, Murison taking his place well, but it disarranged the team.”

Toronto Star

The Star report was also written in the same manner, with several comments about the play of the game.

“The ice was keen and the game fast, though both teams showed lack of team work,” said the Star. “In the second half the Torontos played a good combination game but shot very badly, and missed dozens of chances to score goals.”

The Star did go on about the play of the Tigers, and their ace player Gordon Southam in particular.

“The Tigers were there with the speed, and with some practice will make them all go. Gordon Southam played his usual clever game, and Harrison and Armstrong also did well at times.”

The Star, like the Telegram, failed to provide the full names for the players, except Southam’s. Neither newspaper provided any statistics, although the Star mentioned that Hamilton’s Murison had a great wrist-shot, scoring in the second half from the other end of the rink.

Toronto News

The News was critical of the Toronto team in its report, even though the College Street team won the contest 9-4 over the Mountaineers. Where the reporter came up with those names to describe the Toronto and Hamilton squads is up for conjecture.

“The newly-formed Toronto AC team, met the Hamilton intermediates, and only beat them 9-4.
“While the locals were superior to the visitors at nearly all stages, they displayed little to warrant their promotion to senior ranks.” The Toronto club was comprised of a newly-formed team which was to compete in the OHA’s senior division, while the Hamilton Tigers were in the association’s intermediate branch.

“The Tigers were speedy and aggressive, and combined much better than the locals, but outside of Gordon Southam, the old Varsity player, they were mostly young players of little experience. Early in the game they looked dangerous, leading at one stage 2-1.”

The News story also talks about Hamilton goalie Morden getting injured and leaving the game, replaced by Murison, who according to the report, played admirably.

“Only the phenomenal work of Murison in goal saved the score from being doubled. Ably backed by cover-point Morin, he played a wonderful game, stopping impossible looking shots.”

It would be interesting to know what was said by the Tigers during their train trip home to Hamilton after the game.

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