1923 MHL Offseason: On the Ice

With two teams joining the fray before 1923-24, there were a lot of signings to be made, as well, with the Winnipeg Bisons leaving, all their players became available for other teams to sign.

Before all that was the re-sign phase, where teams decided whether or not they would retain their expiring players. The first major re-signing was Chicago retaining D Nick Madray. Madray led the team in goals (33) in 22-23, finishing tied for tenth overall in the MHL. The Ottawa Lumberjacks re-signed to a shockingly expensive 5 year-deal. Prince has only played a total of 9 games in the past two seasons combined, so this deal was a major surprise to the MHL. Nevertheless, they seem to be banking on his potential. The last major re-signing was Kingston signing C Victor McDonald to a 6-year, $15.6K deal. McDonald had 25 goals and 22 assists in 22-23, good for 9th overall in scoring.

When free agency opened, the Cornwall Loyalists and Nassau Lynx didn’t waste any time with their inaugural signings. Cornwall’s first signing was former Montreal Greys backup Mark Sherman. Sherman has a career record of 43-26-2 and has posted a SV% of over .900 the past two years. Nassau’s first signing was also a goalie, former Bisons netminder Ted Harvey. Harvey played all 50 games for the Bisons, going 15-35 with an 0.861 SV% and 4.41 GAA. Not great stats, but there weren’t many options for the position, and he’s a guy with MHL experience.

When free agency opened, the first signing was the Montreal Greys signing winger James Urban to a 3-year deal. Noted more for his defense than offense, Urban scored 4 goals and 14 points for Winnipeg in 22-23. The next big signing was the biggest of the offseason and sent shockwaves around the MHL. The Montreal Barons signed 21-year-old Chris Cochran to a 3-year, $15.8K deal. Cochran was an amateur player from Vancouver who absolutely lit up his league. He was expected to be signed by an MHL team, but not for that much money. Cochran isn’t expected to play a huge role for the Barons but has the potential to be a superstar. Two more high-profile amateur players were signed, W Ivan Davison to Boston, and W John Black to Brooklyn.

In the later stages of free agency were two more major signings. First, Toronto signed Stephen Ennis, who was one of the Bisons’ better offensive players. He scored 10 goals and 30 points, impressive numbers on a one-year team. Lastly, the expansion Nassau Lynx made waves by signing Winnipeg’s former captain, Bradley Gagnon. Gagnon scored 14 goals and 30 points for the Bisons and was the backbone of the team amidst a tough season on and off the ice. He looks to get a fresh and more stable chapter of his career going on Long Island.

There were two major trades in the offseason, both of which consisted of a player being dealt for cash. First, the Kingston Sentinels traded G Kermit Ward to the New York Bluebirds. While Ward put up decent numbers for Kingston, they’re set on Jack Boucher being their goalie for 23-24. Their financial situation also isn’t the best, so getting some cash for him was seen as a good deal. The other trade was Providence acquiring W Jean Mercier from Brooklyn. The Spiders were always interested in Mercier, but the Kings weren’t interested in any players the Spiders offered back, so the compromise was a cash payment. Mercier scored 9 points in 21 games in 22-23, all of them assists.

Hopefully these improvements can lead to a turn around for the Steelers this year!

Good to see this back. And of course, my Steelers still suck.

1922-23 MHL Playoffs - Round 1

(3) Montreal Barons (35-17) vs (6) Kingston Sentinels (27-23-2)

The Barons were back in the playoffs for the first time since 1921, while the Kingston Sentinels were making their maiden appearance in the postseason. 

In game 1, the Barons came out FLYING. So many grade-A chances left them up 5-0 after the first 20 minutes of the series. Kingston was completely outclassed in pretty much every facet of the game. It didn’t stop in the second either, as they scored 2 more in the first 4 minutes to make it 7-0, much to the delight of the home crowd. Kingston would get one back a little later, but Montreal scored 1 more to make it 8-1 with 20 minutes to play. They would add one more late in the third for good measure. A commanding 9-1 win for the Barons made this series look like it would be over quickly.

In game 2, Kingston looked much better. Robert Courbouche still opened the scoring on the man advantage for Montreal, but a PP goal of their own from Jacques Julien tied it up for Kingston. They also outshot the Barons after 20, leading to some hope they could get the win. Thaddeus Morgan would give Montreal the lead back in the 2nd, but the Sentinels did well again to tie it up by the end of the frame. Their power play was responsible for both their goals, and their even-strength play was lacking. In the third, Joseph Lefebvre gave the Barons the lead, and they would hold on to it for the remainder of the game. The Barons took game 2, and the series, and moved on to face the defending champion Toronto Lakers.

(4) Chicago Wildcats (28-24) vs (5) Brooklyn Kings (34-16-2)

In a battle of teams making their playoff debuts, the Wildcats and Kings faced off. Despite having the much better record, Brooklyn’s divisional seed was lower, which led to Chicago getting home-ice advantage for games 1 and 3 if needed.

The Chicago crowd brought the noise for game 1, and the team used that momentum to get a bunch of chances. However, despite both teams recording double-digit shots in the first 20 minutes, neither goalie could be beaten. In the second, Chicago dominated even more, but still couldn’t find the scoresheet. Brooklyn goalie Frank Clercius, whose playoff numbers are among the best in the MHL, didn’t let anything past him. Finally, in the third period, there was a breakthrough, but for the visiting Kings. Abe Bertrand scored on a quick shot that fooled Phillip James. The game remained tight, but Bertrand eventually scored his second of the game, effectively putting the game out of reach based on Clercius’ play. Brooklyn added two more goals before the end of regulation, taking game 1 in Chicago despite being outplayed handily.

Unlike Game 1, Game 2 in Brooklyn started off with two quick goals: Jean Giguere for the host Kings, and Daniel Vanderbeken for the visiting Wildcats. While there were some more chances, those were the only two goals in the opening 20 minutes. The second saw Chicago dominate play like they did in game 1, but Frank Clercius was once again standing on his head to prevent them from taking the lead. Brooklyn couldn’t find a goal either in the second, so the same 1-1 score stood after 40. However, the third period, like the first, saw multiple goals early on. Nicholas Madray gave Chicago their first lead of the series 36 seconds in, but the Kings tied it back up just a minute later. A minute after that, Alexander Palmer gave the Kings the lead, and they didn’t relinquish it for the remainder of the game. The game ended, and the Kings advanced, defeating the Wildcats in 2 games, moving on to face the mighty New York Bluebirds.



Round 2

(1) New York Bluebirds (35-16-1) vs (5) Brooklyn Kings (34-16-2)

It was a battle of New York City for the right to play in the Abbott Cup Final. What felt like the entire city was watching intently to see which team would win it all.

People were hoping for an even matchup to start, but based on gameplay, game 1 was anything but. The Bluebirds peppered Frank Clercius with shot after shot, but he stood tall. After 1, despite the Bluebirds doing everything they could, they only managed 1 goal on him. The Kings didn’t do too much to help him out, as they only managed 10 shots through 2 periods. The Bluebirds would keep pushing, but couldn’t get anything going. In the end, they mustered 33 shots on Clercius, of which only the one went through. However, Brooklyn similarly couldn’t solve Moses Addison, who shut the door completely. the Bluebirds took game 1, 1-0.

Game 2 was much more even in terms of play. The Kings did well to hold off the Bluebirds offence, though New York still managed to score the game’s first goal, courtesy of Nathaniel Lowe. Brooklyn couldn’t solve Addison still, and they were now 4 periods into the series without scoring. Early in the second, David Price made it 2-0 for New York. Brooklyn had 5 power plays in the period, but none of them got anything going. Their finishing was killing them. With their season on the line in the third, they finally starting looking promising on offense. However, Addison was playing out of his mind, not letting anything past him. Finally, after going 117:21 without allowing a goal, Abe Bertrand got the Kings on the board. However, that’s all they could muster, and the Bluebirds held on to advance to their third consecutive Abbott Cup Final.

(2) Toronto Lakers (30-22) vs (3) Montreal Barons (35-17)

It was a rematch of the inaugural Abbott Cup Final, for the right to play in the fourth edition of the championship series. Toronto vs Montreal, two cities that didn’t like each other. Toronto ended up victorious the first time, while Montreal was looking for revenge.

In game 1, Ian Davidson got the scoring starting for Montreal, with a thunderous shot late in the first. Toronto recorded 18 shots in the first frame, but none solved Barons goalie Bryant Fraser. In the second, Davidson would score two more times, completing the natural hat-trick and putting Montreal up 3-0, shocking the Toronto crowd. Goaltending was Toronto’s biggest weakness, and the Barons were exposing that, with 3 goals on just 15 shots. the Lakers got one back early in the third, inspiring some hope. They put on more shots, but Fraser stood tall. Robert Courbouche scored in the final minute, erasing any chance at a comeback. the Barons took game 1, 4-1.

Game 2 started off with few shots. Both teams stuck to defensive game plans, though there were two goals in the late stages of P1. Michael Paquin scored for the Lakers, while Courbouche replied for the Barons. The second period saw Toronto start to figure out the Barons’ defensive system, as they got more and more shots off. Paquin’s second of the game restored the lead for Toronto, but the Barons responded to tie it up once again. After 2, it was 2-2. The third period was an offensive explosion, but a one-sided one. The Lakers scored 4 times in just over 4 minutes to take a 6-2 lead by the halfway point of the third. Gerald Washington added one more goal for good measure, and the Lakers ran away with it, tying the series at 1, and forcing a decisive third game at home.

Game 3 was eerily similar to game 1. Montreal opened the scoring in the first, courtesy of Christopher Cochran. The Barons followed with 2 goals in the second, taking a 3-0 scoreline into the final period. This held until the dying minutes, when Kenneth Moore got the Lakers on the board, giving them some hope. However, just like in game 1, the Barons scored in the final minute to make it 4-1, an insurmountable lead for the time remaining. Time expired, and the Barons celebrated, as they advanced to the Abbott Cup final for the first time in their history. As for the Lakers, this was the second time in their MHL history they did not advance to the Abbott Cup Final.



Abbott Cup Final Preview:

(1) New York Bluebirds vs (3) Montreal Barons
Previous Meeting: N/A
Result: N/A

These were two of the top teams during the regular season, facing off for the first time in the playoffs. New York has the experience advantage, while the Barons have the feeling of being unstoppable after denying Toronto another appearance in the championship series.

You'd think the season series between two of the best teams in the league would be even, but this was anything but. the Bluebirds absolutely dominated the season series, winning their games 5-2, 10-3, 9-4, and 6-2. That's not very good for the Barons, as the Bluebirds will definitely have those results in mind for this series.

My Pick: New York wins their second Abbott Cup in 3 years, defeating the Barons 2-0.

1924 Abbott Cup Final

(1) New York Bluebirds (35-16-1) vs (3) Montreal Barons (35-17)

The two teams with the best regular-season records faced off for the Abbott Cup in 1924. The New York Bluebirds were making their 3rd straight appearance in the championship series, winning in 1922 but falling in 1923. Montreal was making their maiden appearance, having lost in the semifinals their only other appearance.

Game 1 started off slowly. Both teams were cautious, wanting to be the first team to break the ice. Both teams had power plays in the first period, but neither did much on them. This caution stayed until the end of 20. Eventually, New York’s Dale Harvey, a young player who only had 6 games of MHL experience, opened the scoring, beating Bryant Fraser low. With the lead and a now-raucous crowd, the Bluebirds turned on the afterburners. Harvey scored his second of the game, and Falconer King added a third goal, putting the Bluebirds in a comfortable lead through two periods. In the third, Robert Willis made it 4 for New York, while the Barons couldn’t solve Moses Addison, who was continuing his brilliant playoff form. The 4-0 scoreline held to the end, and the Bluebirds took game 1 at home.

New York 4-0 Montreal (New York leads series 1-0)

Game 2 was much more fast-paced than Game 1. The Bluebirds opened the scoring via Lewis Urban, but it was the Barons that dominated play after that point. Ian Davidson quickly tied things back up, while Tim Houle gave Montreal their first lead of the series soon after. Joseph Lefebvre capitalized on a power play, putting the hometown Barons up 3-1 after 1, with all the momentum on their side. However, the Bluebirds did well to respond in the second, getting some good chances, one of which was put home by King. Fraser stood tall though, not letting New York tie it up before the end of the second. The third period was absolutely crazy, with chance after chance for both teams. Of the 25 combined shots in the third, only one was a goal, as Chris Paquet tied the game up halfway through the third. Regulation didn’t solve the tie, so the Abbott Cup Final was headed to overtime. The Bluebirds heavily outplayed Montreal in OT, but halfway through the first period of extra time, Chris Cochran took a shot that fooled Addison. Montreal took game 2 4-3, and tied the series up at 1 for a winner-take-all game 3.

Montreal 4-3 New York (OT) (Series tied 1-1)

Game 3 started off with a goaltending battle. Both Addison and Bryant stood tall for almost the entire frame. Addison in particular was key to not letting the Barons score on one of their 4 first-period power plays. Eventually, Christopher Paquet broke the ice for the Bluebirds, who led 1-0 after 1. In the second, it was more of the same, with good saves for most of the frame, before two late goals from Robert Willis but New York up 3-0 after 40. with a multi-goal deficit and facing a loud home crowd, it was a tough task for the Barons. However, just 40 seconds into the final frame, they got on the board thanks to Thaddeus Morgan. Unfortunately, their work was quickly undone by an Andrew Moehring goal soon after, while Dale Harvey’s 3rd of the series made it 5-1. Tim Houle scored a consolation goal for the Barons, but even that was replied to by New York, as Nate Lowe restored the 4-goal lead with 5 minutes to play. Time ran out, and the Abbott Cup returned to New York for the 2nd time in 3 years. 

New York 6-2 Montreal (New York wins series 2-1)