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CaptainCrunch · 02-17-2024, 09:25 PM

1925-26

The NHL continues its foray into the States. After last years wild cat strike by Red Green and the Hamilton Tigers Frank Calder allowed the sale of the team and relocated it to New York where they became the Americans. The only thing that was missing was a arena to play in. New York had one major arena to host sporting events, Madison Square Gardens, one of the new mega arenas that were springing up in major American cities. The Gardens wasn't built for hockey though, it was designed to host events like boxing and pro wrestling and didn't have good sight lines. However the building did hold 13,000 seats and there were enough good seats to satisfy the fans, however the owners wanted nothing to do with buying a franchise.

Bill Dwyer was a colorful character to say the least, he spent time in prison and bounced around the streets until prohibition hit and he became wealthy on the back of the bootlegging trade. Dwyer decided to buy the Tigers and booked them into Madison Square Gardens.

Lead by Bully Burch their roster featured players such as Shorty and Red Green, Bullet Joe Simpson and Alex Mckinnon. The team finished with a 12-20-4 record, but they were a nightly sell out and it convinced the owners of the Gardens that they should have a team of their own, which would become the New York Rangers who would take to the ice the next year.

Trivia

The NHL now featured 7 teams with two franchises in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Boston and New York.
Rule changes continued that included delayed penalties to ensure 4 players on the ice. No more then two players could remain behind the bluelines after the puck leaves the defensive zones. And a face off could be called due to excessive ragging of the puck.
The regular season schedule goes to 36 games from 30 games.
Georges Vezina collapses on opening night and is diagnosed with Tuberculosis, he dies 3 months later.
The Maroons finish in 2nd place in their second season.
Maroons rookie Nel Steward leads the league in goals with 34 and points with 42, he also wins the Hart trophy.
The Senators finish with a 25-8-4 record to capture their 6th regular season title. . Alexa Connell wins the G.A. title with a 1.17 gaa and posts 15 shutouts.
Without Georges Venzina the Habs finish last in the league.
Bert Corbeau of Toronto becomes the first player to hit over 100 pnealty minutes in a year and finishes with 121 minutes.
Ottawa's Frank Nighbor wins his 2nd straight Lady Byng trophy.
The second place Maroons beat the place Pittsburgh Pirates in the NHL semi finals.
The Maroons shock the Senators in the league finals lead by Clint Benedict to take the NHL Championship.
In its last year the WCHL moves Regina to Portland and Canada is dropped from the WCHL name.
Edmonton takes the regular season title, but Victoria who finished in 3rd upset Saskatoon and Edmonton and gets the right to defend their Cup.
The Maroons again lead by Clint Benedict who shuts out Victoria in game 1 and 2 beat Victoria 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup. Benedict throws a shutout in game 4.

02-17-2024, 09:25 PM	#49
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1925-26 The NHL continues its foray into the States. After last years wild cat strike by Red Green and the Hamilton Tigers Frank Calder allowed the sale of the team and relocated it to New York where they became the Americans. The only thing that was missing was a arena to play in. New York had one major arena to host sporting events, Madison Square Gardens, one of the new mega arenas that were springing up in major American cities. The Gardens wasn't built for hockey though, it was designed to host events like boxing and pro wrestling and didn't have good sight lines. However the building did hold 13,000 seats and there were enough good seats to satisfy the fans, however the owners wanted nothing to do with buying a franchise. Bill Dwyer was a colorful character to say the least, he spent time in prison and bounced around the streets until prohibition hit and he became wealthy on the back of the bootlegging trade. Dwyer decided to buy the Tigers and booked them into Madison Square Gardens. Lead by Bully Burch their roster featured players such as Shorty and Red Green, Bullet Joe Simpson and Alex Mckinnon. The team finished with a 12-20-4 record, but they were a nightly sell out and it convinced the owners of the Gardens that they should have a team of their own, which would become the New York Rangers who would take to the ice the next year. Trivia The NHL now featured 7 teams with two franchises in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Boston and New York. Rule changes continued that included delayed penalties to ensure 4 players on the ice. No more then two players could remain behind the bluelines after the puck leaves the defensive zones. And a face off could be called due to excessive ragging of the puck. The regular season schedule goes to 36 games from 30 games. Georges Vezina collapses on opening night and is diagnosed with Tuberculosis, he dies 3 months later. The Maroons finish in 2nd place in their second season. Maroons rookie Nel Steward leads the league in goals with 34 and points with 42, he also wins the Hart trophy. The Senators finish with a 25-8-4 record to capture their 6th regular season title. . Alexa Connell wins the G.A. title with a 1.17 gaa and posts 15 shutouts. Without Georges Venzina the Habs finish last in the league. Bert Corbeau of Toronto becomes the first player to hit over 100 pnealty minutes in a year and finishes with 121 minutes. Ottawa's Frank Nighbor wins his 2nd straight Lady Byng trophy. The second place Maroons beat the place Pittsburgh Pirates in the NHL semi finals. The Maroons shock the Senators in the league finals lead by Clint Benedict to take the NHL Championship. In its last year the WCHL moves Regina to Portland and Canada is dropped from the WCHL name. Edmonton takes the regular season title, but Victoria who finished in 3rd upset Saskatoon and Edmonton and gets the right to defend their Cup. The Maroons again lead by Clint Benedict who shuts out Victoria in game 1 and 2 beat Victoria 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup. Benedict throws a shutout in game 4. __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!