Hockey History

The 1946 OHA Playoffs – Chapter 5
Hamilton takes eastern series in Saint John with superior teamwork

Late in March of 1946 the Hamilton Tigers hopped on an eastbound train to meet with the Saint John Beavers in the OHA Senior Eastern Quarter-Finals.

After a good showing against the McIntyre Miners of Timmins, the Tigers were upbeat about playing in the three-game series against the Maritime champs.

And the Tigers continued their dominance on the ice, clobbering the Beavers 8-1 in the first contest in the eastern city.

An account of the game, written by Saint John Times-Globe Sport Editor Ned Barrett, was typical of sports reporting of the era.

“The opening game was one of the fastest exhibitions of hockey seen in Saint John this season,” Barrett wrote, “and also one of the cleanest, with only three penalties being dished out.

“Bewildered Beaver fans are still wondering what struck their pride and joy and have offered a combination of explanations. Chief among these is the superior Hamilton teamwork, the result of long experience and capable coaching. Hamilton skated around Saint John all night and their checking, stick-handling, and deadly accuracy all added up to victory.”

Tigers coach George Redding was pleased with his club’s performance in the opening round at the Saint John Forum:

“Thursday was one of our good nights,” he said, “and our lines were really clicking.”
Redding went on to say he would keep the same lines for the upcoming game, and his strategy paid off, as the Tigers took the next game 3-0 to win the series two games to zero and advance to the next round in their quest for the Allan Cup.

The team’s next opponents would be the Pembroke Lumber Kings. The first match was to take place at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens as part of the eastern Canada semi-finals, another best-of-three series.

Next: The Tigers continue to spread their claws

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