Canadiens Beat OutPortland 2 to 1 and Annex Stanley Cup

Lalonde Engineers Play In Closing Period That Gave Eastern Hockeyists Victory

31 Mar 1916, Fri The Winnipeg Tribune (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

MONTREAL, March 31 — The Canadiens of Montreal annexed the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the world's professional hockey championship. here last night by heating out Portland 2 to 1 in a grueling contest. The champions of the N.H.A, and Pack Coast league had each won two games in this final series which caused a fifth to decide the winner, and although the trophy changes back to the east, there is not much to pick between the two teams. A heady place of work by ‘‘Newsy'' Lalonde in the closing minutes of play enabled Pledgers to get a big start on a rush which he wound up by scoring the winning goal.

Close Checking

The play was hard and fast throughout but the checking was too dose for sensational rushes. Ill-feeling was evident in the first period, but strict penalties quickly brought the players Into the mood to attend solely to the game. In the second and third periods, few penalties were called for. The rules were those of the National Hockey Association, with six men on each team. The first goal was tallied by Ponan, for the Canadiens. 12 minutes after the commencement of play. Thereafter it was hard, grinding play well Into the third period. Neither team was able to score In the second session.

Dunderdale Scores

In the third period Dunderdale, sent in to relieve Harris, tied the score in a spectacular manner. Securing the puck well up the ice he essayed an Individual rush. Confronted by McNamara and Corbeau, after successfully passing the Canadien forwards, lie swung sharply around behind Corbeau, drew Vezina out of his goal and chipped the puck into the net from a few inches out.

Play then became desperate and grueling. The players, tired out already, speeded up until they appeared ready to drop exhausted, and several times, through over-anxiety, both sides let slip many good chances for shots at the opposing goal. Portlands. who felt their one tally disadvantage until Dunderdale pushed in the tieing count had the Flying Frenchmen nearly bottled up when “Newsy” Lalonde, Canadiens' plating manager, gave Prodgers the chance that decided the game.

Lalonde's Strategy

Following a hard attack on Canadiens' net by the Rosebuds, Lalonde took the puck from Vezina and skated around the goal, yelling to Prodgers as he turned away with the puck. Prodgers, starting from his wing position, skated towards his corner, took the rubber from Lalonde, and was off, Lalonde meanwhile, for a moment dribbling an imaginary puck.

Prodgers had, however, a rough Journey. After dodging past the forwards he found himself faced by the two outside defensemen. He beat a moment later with a body check toppled Irvine over. Ernie Johnson he easily skated around. Then drawing Murray out while dribbling the puck. Prodgers skated around him and lobbed the rubber into the net for the winning score. The whole Canadian team for the remaining four minutes confined themselves to defensive play.

Fifteen minor and two major penalties were Imposed in the first period, and four minors and two majors during the balance of the game. Lalonde and Corbeau, of Canadiens, and Harris and Irvine, of the Rosebuds, each drew a major fine. Ten minors were recorded against Canadian players, and nine against Portland.

Only about 3,000 tickets were sold for the decisive game, the smallest number during the series.