1956 Sound Cup Playoffs (1st Round)

Montréal Métros vs Ottawa Knights

In the first game of the series between the Montréal Métros and the Ottawa Knights, both teams went head-to-head in a thrilling match. Montréal started strong, dominating the shot tallies right from the beginning. They took the opening lead when Tristan Loubier capitalized on a powerplay chance and buried the puck in the net after Glen Nash was sent to the box for slashing. However, the Knights responded quickly with a powerplay chance of their own, as Jacques Dubois tied the game with a quick wrist shot. The two teams continued to battle for every puck, with neither side giving an inch. The game remained tied until Edward Cho scored with a quick flick of the wrist to put the Métros up 2-1. But once again, the Knights had a reply as James Bailey's wrist shot found twine to tie it up at 2. Bailey then gave the Knights their first lead of the game midway through the third period with another quick wrist shot, which left the Montréal goaltender no chance to save it. The momentum shifted towards Ottawa's side, and Rick Murray blasted the puck into the back of the net to give the Knights a 4-2 lead barely a minute later. Although Murray Brissett cut the Knights' lead in half with a precise shot late in the third period, Montréal couldn't score another goal, and Ottawa took a 1-0 lead in the series.

In Game 2, it was Montréal winger Easton Ward who made a significant impact early in the first period by opening the scoring with a well-placed wrist shot, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Knights tried to fight back, but Montréal center Yvan Roy further solidified the Métros' position by making it 2-0 on the powerplay late in the first period. However, Ottawa center Lee Harper quickly cut the Métros' lead in half barely a minute later. The second period began with a powerplay goal by Knights' winger James Bailey, a key player for the team in the playoffs, which levelled the game at 2. But Montréal's Easton Ward would not let his team fall behind, as he scored his second goal of the night a few minutes later, giving the Métros the lead again. Early in the third period, on the powerplay, center Edouard Lefebvre would double the Métros' lead with a well-placed slapshot. The Montréal domination would continue as winger Murray Brissett would put his team up by three midway through the third. Just two minutes later, winger Edward Cho would add his contribution to make it 6-2 in favour of the visiting team. After that, the Métros would clamp down defensively to secure the win and force a winner-takes-all game three back in Montréal with that 6-2 victory.

The atmosphere was electric in Montréal as the two hockey giants stepped onto the ice for the final Game 3. The home crowd was all geared up to cheer for their favourite team, the Métros. Alas, their excitement was short-lived as the Ottawa Knights took an early lead with a stunning wrist shot by Jacques Dubois that left the goalkeeper, Ray Young, in shock. The Métros tried hard to make a comeback, but the Knights' defence was rock solid, and the first period ended with the visitors leading by 1-0. Both teams played aggressively in the second period, with several close calls on both sides, but neither was able to score. The tension in the arena was palpable as the third period began, with the Métros desperate for a goal to stay in the game. But it was Dubois who struck again, scoring his second goal of the night and putting the Knights ahead by 2-0. The Métros were down but not out yet. They continued to push hard, but it was Émile Deschamps who sealed their fate with a powerful slapshot that made it 3-0 in favour of the Knights. The Métros had one last chance to save the game, but the Knights' defence held firm and it was Lee Harper who finished it off with an empty netter. The crowd was stunned as the final horn sounded, and the Knights emerged victorious, eliminating the Métros from the playoffs thanks to a 30-save shutout from netminder David Moreau. (OTT wins 2-1)

Charlottetown Monarchs vs Halifax Highlanders

The Highlanders burst out of the gates with full force in Game 1, with defenseman Albert Ferguson delivering a swift blow against the Monarchs just 20 seconds after the opening faceoff. But that was not enough for Halifax, and winger Paul Marchand intensified the pressure with a lightning-fast shot just a minute later, extending the lead to 2-0 in favour of the visitors. Charlottetown winger Gregg Moonberry, however, showed the Monarchs' indomitable spirit by launching a precise wrist shot past Halifax's Alex Davis early in the second period, cutting the Highlander lead in half. Highlander's defenseman Stanley Blackwood had other plans and restored the team's 2-goal lead with a devastating slapshot. Halifax was not done yet, though. In the dying minutes of the median period, defenseman Jean Tremblay fired a well-placed shot to put the visitors up 4-1. But Charlottetown winger Richard Bisson, embodying the Monarchs' never-say-die attitude, sliced the lead down to 2 with his lethal slapshot barely a minute later. The Monarchs managed to claw back another goal late in the third period, thanks to defenseman Dan James picking up center Jacques Tremblay's rebound in front of the Highlanders'' net and burying it. Despite their valiant efforts, the Monarchs fell short as Halifax's defence held firm, securing a hard-fought 4-3 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2 started with a quick goal by Sean Fontana from Halifax, which gave his team an early advantage. However, Charlottetown's Justin Spring, a rookie center, managed to tie the game at one late in the first period with an excellent display of skill and agility. Early in the second period, Ken Chang from the Monarchs placed a well-directed shot and gave his team a 2-1 lead. The game remained intense, and the players from both teams kept fighting hard to gain an edge over the other. Later in the middle period, Arthur Laroche, a winger for Charlottetown, scored a quick wrist shot, displaying exceptional accuracy and precision, and made it 3-1 for his team. At the beginning of the third period, Highlanders winger Antony Sinclair responded with a goal of his own, cutting the lead to 3-2 with a wrist shot. But then Stephen Collins from the Monarchs, who was playing against his former team, scored a crucial goal, making it 4-2. Despite Halifax's efforts to make a comeback, Charlottetown secured the win with a masterful defensive performance, blocking every attack and denying the opposition any chance of scoring, setting up an ultimate Game 3 with the 4-2 victory.

The atmosphere in Charlottetown's Monarch Arena was electric as two rival teams faced off in Game 3. Charlottetown's Steve Wetherell changed the momentum of the game with a wrist shot that slipped past Halifax's Alex Davis midway through the first period, putting the Monarchs ahead 1-0. The crowd cheered as the Monarchs continued to defend their lead, preventing the Highlanders from scoring. Ken Chang, a winger for the Monarchs, scored a goal with a powerful slapshot that sailed past Alex Davis'' glove hand, giving the home team a 2-goal lead. Richard Bisson, a skilled player for Charlottetown, picked up a pass from Justin Spring and scored a third goal from the point, beating Alex Davis with a wicked spin. The crowd cheered once again as the Monarchs took a 3-0 lead, leaving the Highlanders struggling to find a way back into the game. Noah Pierre, a speedy winger for Charlottetown, picked up a pass from Yves Drouin and unleashed a wicked wrist shot that beat Alex Davis early in the second period. The crowd erupted in cheers as the Monarchs took a 4-0 lead, leaving the Highlanders reeling. The Highlanders finally managed to get their power play going midway through the period, and they made the most of it. Jean Tremblay, a towering defenseman, took the puck to the point and blasted it past Peter Chiasson's glove hand, finally getting the Highlanders on the board. Unfortunately, Ken Chang would score his second of the night a few minutes later to put the Monarchs up by four once again. Early in the third period, Halifax defenseman Jean Tremblay would once again score to put the score at 5-2, and then a minute later would complete his hat-trick with a quick wrist shot to cut the deficit down to 2 goals. Charlottetown wasn't going to just let Halifax back in the game, and later, in third, center Doug Fournier made it 6-3 on the powerplay with a well-placed shot. The Monarchs would then clamp up defensively and, after Yves Drouin's empty-net goal, send the defending champs home empty-handed with a 7-3 victory. (CHA wins 2-1)



1956 Divisional Finals Previews

Trois-Rivières Tigres vs Ottawa Knights
The Ottawa Knights and Trois-Rivières Tigres are set to face off in the divisional finals, with the Tigres enjoying a first-round bye as the top seed in the division. The Knights, on the other hand, had to battle their way through the first round, defeating the Montréal Métros in a thrilling three-game series. Ottawa's defence was solid throughout, and they will look to continue their strong play against the potent Tigres offence. The Knights' power play will also be a critical factor in this series, as they have shown an ability to capitalize on their chances. Meanwhile, the Tigres will look to use their speed and agility to get behind the Knights' defence and create scoring chances. 

Fredericton Stars vs Charlottetown Monarchs
The Charlottetown Monarchs and Fredericton Stars are set to face off in the divisional finals, with the Stars enjoying a first-round bye as the top seed in the division. The Monarchs had to battle through a tough series against the Halifax Highlanders, ultimately emerging victorious with a 7-3 win in Game 3. Charlottetown's offence was dominant throughout the series, and they will look to continue their strong play against the Stars' defence. The Monarchs' power play will also be a critical factor in this series, as they have shown an ability to capitalize on their chances. Meanwhile, the Stars will look to use their physicality and defensive prowess to shut down the Monarchs' offence and create scoring chances of their own.

What did you think of the first-round series? Who will advance to the Sound Cup Finals? Predictions are very much welcome. Other comments, criticisms, and questions about the ECHOverse are also appreciated.
 

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (5/10/2024 8:22 pm)

(Happy belated 1st anniversary to the ECHO. Wow, I can't believe it's been a year already. Anyway, back to your scheduled content)
1956 Sound Cup Finals
Trois-Rivières Tigres vs Charlottetown Monarchs

Game 1: The game began relatively quiet, with both teams trying to get the first goal in early but failing to convert. That would be until a few minutes past the midway point of the period when Charlottetown winger Steve Wetherell took a slap shot from the blue line, which made its way through the many players in front of the net and barely over Trois-Rivières netminder Emmett O'Leary's glove to give the Monarchs the opening lead. As the game continued into the second period, the intensity and physicality of the game picked up, with both teams looking to capitalize on their scoring chances. With just over 10 minutes left in the period, Charlottetown winger Ken Chang decided to take matters into his own hands, unleashing a slapshot from the point that sailed through the traffic in front of the net and past Emmett O'Leary's glove to extend the Monarchs' lead to 2-0. In the third period, the Tigres were determined to defend their home turf and not allow Charlottetown to shut them out. Center Alex Fortin made a game-changing play by scoring a swift wrist shot that beat Charlottetown's netminder Peter Chiasson on the blocker side, cutting the lead in half. Despite the momentum shift, Charlottetown's defence remained solid, and they were able to hold off the Trois-Rivières rally. As the clock ticked down, the Monarchs began to protect their lead, playing a patient game and not giving up any quality scoring chances. With just seconds remaining on the clock, Charlottetown's Gregg Moonberry grabbed the puck and took off on a breakaway, leaving the Trois-Rivières defenders in his wake. As he approached the empty net, Moonberry didn't hesitate, firing the puck into the open net to seal the deal and give Charlottetown a 3-1 victory and the opening lead in the finals.

Game 2: The Monarchs' absolute dominance was on full display in this game. Charlottetown's Jacques Tremblay skillfully scored the first and only goal, marking a late third-period victory with Ken Chang and David Demers providing the assists. The Monarchs' impenetrable defence effectively shut out the Tigres, severely limiting their scoring opportunities. This crucial 1-0 win on the road propelled Charlottetown to a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, with a remarkable 35-save performance from goalie Peter Chiasson contributing to their success.

Game 3: Charlottetown's dominance continued back at their home arena. Midway through the first period, Monarchs winger Arthur Laroche blasted the puck past Trois-Rivières' Emmett O'Leary to give the home team the opening lead. Ken Chang would also score for Charlottetown late in the first period to give them a 2-0 lead. The Monarchs continued to apply pressure in the second period, outshooting the Tigres by a lot. Despite their best efforts, the Tigres were unable to get anything past Charlottetown's Peter Chiasson, who was making some impressive saves to keep the shutout intact. The Tigres attempted to mount a comeback in the third period, but they were unable to find the back of the net. Charlottetown's defence was solid, and goalie Peter Chiasson was equal to the task, making several big saves to preserve the shutout. As the clock wound down, it became clear that the Monarchs would emerge victorious once again. The final score was 2-0, Charlottetown's second consecutive shutout, thanks to Chiasson's 31 saves. With this victory, the Monarchs took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, and they were one win away from lifting the Sound Cup.

Game 4: Coming into this crucial game, Trois-Rivières were in complete disarray, but they knew that they couldn't make any more mistakes and pounced on Charlottetown from the get-go. First, early in the first period, center Alex Fortin sent a wrist shot past Monarchs netminder Peter Chiasson to score the Tigres' first goal in three games. They didn't stop there, as late in the second period, center David Olson made it 2-0 with a great slapshot. The Tigres continued to dominate in the third period, adding two more goals to their tally. Midway through the period, William Gray scored a powerplay goal, wristing the puck past Peter Chiasson to make it 3-0. Just over a minute later, James Martin also scored, snapping a wrist shot past the Monarchs' goalie to put the game out of reach at 4-0. The Monarchs' offence was unable to get anything going, as the Tigres thoroughly outplayed them. Trois-Rivières would run out the clock defensively and keep themselves alive thanks to a 38-save performance from netminder Emmett O'Leary.

Game 5: The Trois-Rivières Tigres electrified their home crowd with a dominating performance in the opening period, seizing control of the game from the very start. The Tigres' power play unit, known for their precision and deadly accuracy, struck early and often, leaving the Charlottetown Monarchs reeling. Just one minute into the game, winger Nathaniel Cardinal unleashed a wicked wrist shot that beat the Monarchs' goalie, giving the Tigres an early 1-0 lead. But that was only the beginning. Ted Gagne, a force to be reckoned with on the power play, added another goal to the scoreboard, this time with a slapshot that was unstoppable. The Tigres' power play unit had scored twice in the first period, and the Monarchs were struggling to find their footing. The second period was more of the same for the Tigres, as they continued to pour on the pressure. Center Timmy Overton, known for his lightning-quick release and powerful shot, took matters into his own hands, unleashing a bullet of a slapshot that found its way into the net. The goal was a highlight-reel effort, and it left the Monarchs' goalie stunned and helpless. As the period came to a close, the Monarchs were facing a daunting 3-0 deficit. Despite a goal from center Jacques Tremblay, they were unable to mount a comeback, and Trois-Rivières held on for a convincing 3-1 victory. The win narrowed the series to 3-2 in favour of the Monarchs, but it was clear that the Tigres had taken control of the matchup.

Game 6: The Charlottetown Monarchs came out strong in the first period at home, but Tigres' goaltender Emmett O'Leary was up to the task, making several spectacular saves. The Monarchs' offence was relentless, but O'Leary stood tall, turning aside 14 shots in the period to keep the game scoreless. The second period was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating scoring chances. The Monarchs' power play unit had several opportunities to break the deadlock, but O'Leary was equal to the task, making 11 saves in the period to keep the game scoreless. As the third period got underway, the tension was palpable. The Monarchs were pushing hard for the first goal, but O'Leary was unbeatable. With just over 5 minutes remaining in the game, winger Gavin Scott scored a stunning goal to give the Tigres a 1-0 lead. The goal was a beauty, as Scott picked off a pass and ripped a wrist shot past the Monarchs' goalie. The Monarchs pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but it was too little, too late. The Tigres' defence held firm, and O'Leary secured his 36-save shutout with a brilliant save on a point-blank chance. The final buzzer sounded, and the Trois-Rivières Tigres celebrated their thrilling 1-0 victory to tie the series at 3

Game 7: The atmosphere was tense as the two teams skated onto the ice at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières for this ultimate, winner-takes-all game. Early on in the first period, the Tigres would take a penalty that would prove costly as on the ensuing powerplay, Charlottetown winger Stephen Collins would put the puck past Trois-Rivières goalie Emmett O'Leary with a quick wrist shot and put the Monarchs up 1-0. The Tigres would not take long to reply, as barely 2 minutes later, winger Francis Kanuk would beat Charlottetown netminder Peter Chiasson with a wicked snap shot from the top of the circle. The Colisée de Trois-Rivières erupted in a frenzy of noise and excitement as the Tigres drew even at 1-1. The momentum was with the home team, and they continued to push the pace. As the period wore on, they would create several quality scoring chances, but Chiasson was equal to the task, making several key saves to keep the game deadlocked. Just as it seemed that the first period would come to a close with the score still tied, Tigres winger Ted Gagne would give the home team the lead. With 30 seconds remaining on the clock, Gagne would collect a pass at his blue line and take off down the wing, using his speed to beat a defender. He would then unleash a wicked wrist shot that beat Chiasson high to the glove side, giving the Tigres a 2-1 advantage heading into the intermission. The second period got underway, with the Tigres looking to build on their momentum. However, it was Charlottetown that would equalize early in the period, thanks to a powerplay goal. With just 2 minutes elapsed, Doug Fournier would unleash a wicked wrist shot from the point that would find its way past O'Leary, tying the game at 2-2. The momentum had shifted back in favour of the Monarchs, but the Tigres were not about to let them pull away. The game remained tightly contested, with both teams creating scoring chances. However, it was the Monarchs who would take the lead off of winger Stephen Collins' second of the night past the midway point of the second. Collins, who had already found the back of the net earlier in the game, would collect a pass at the top of the circle and use his quick release to beat O'Leary with a wrist shot that found the top corner of the net and give the visitors the 3-2 lead. The Monarchs' lead would hold up until the latter stages of the third period when the Tigres finally found a way to break through. With just under 4 minutes remaining, winger Noah Pierre would be sent to the penalty box for tripping, giving the Tigres a powerplay opportunity. The home crowd was electric as the Tigres pushed hard to capitalize on the man advantage. And with just 2 minutes left on the clock, William Gray would make the most of the opportunity, beating Chiasson with a wicked slap shot from the point that found its way past the goalie's glove. The Colisée de Trois-Rivières erupted in a frenzy of noise and excitement as the game was tied at 3-3. At the buzzer signalling the end of the period, the tie still stood, and this already tense game would need extra time. The game was now in overtime, with both teams eager to claim the championship. The pace was intense, with both teams creating scoring chances. In the waning minutes of the 1st overtime period, Trois-Rivières winger James Martin took the puck into Charlottetown territory and unleashed a slapshot from the blue line. The puck found its way to the net, pinged off the crossbar, then on the left post and then went into the back of the net, clinching the Tigres' first Sound Cup after a miracle comeback from down 0-3 in the series and 2-3 in Game 7.



1956 Sound Cup Champions: Trois-Rivières Tigres (1)



What did you guys think of the finals? I also welcome other comments, criticisms, and questions about the ECHOverse.

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (6/13/2024 5:29 pm)

wow, congrats to les tigres! good to see some of the newer expansion teams breaking through and leaving their mark, and what a way to get it done. also charlottetown blew a 3-0 lead lmaooooooooooooooooooooo

1956 ECHO Brand Changes

Trois-Rivières Tigres
The defending champions revealed an updated version of their current logo. They eliminated the little orange corners from the previous version and made the navy border bolder, resulting in a logo that is more navy than orange.



The Tigres' uniforms will maintain their current design, with the only change being the addition of the new logo on the front.


Tigres Previous Uniform Sets (1951-1956)
(#56 G Emmett O’Leary / #1 G Homer Rodgers)

Ottawa Knights
The Knights have made their second logo change in ECHO's history. The block "O" has been replaced with a rounded version, and a cross has been added to the shield behind the "O". They have also added an inner gold border while keeping a thin black border on the outside of the shield.




The old logo on the Knights' jerseys has been replaced with the new one. Furthermore, the design of the striping on the sleeves, hem, and socks has been refined.



Ottawa Knights Previous Uniform Sets (1952-1956)
(#8 D Rick Murray / #80 G David Moreau)


What are your thoughts on these brand changes? Feel free to share any other comments, criticisms, or questions about the ECHOverse. 

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (5/31/2024 3:48 pm)

1956 ECHO Retirements

W Craig Therrien
Teams: Moncton Generals (1945-54)
Sound Cups: 2 (1952, 1953)
Awards: 0

Therrien began his career in the ECHO at the age of 23, playing for the Generals in the inaugural season of the league. Throughout nine seasons, he remained loyal to the Generals and played an integral role in their consecutive triumphs in 1952 and 1953. However, as time passed, the Moncton native found himself slipping down the team's depth chart, and unfortunately, Moncton chose not to renew his contract after it expired in 1954. Despite an impressive record of 448 points in 463 regular season games, Therrien struggled to secure another position and ultimately made the difficult decision to retire from hockey at the age of 33.

D Kevin McMillan
Teams: Ottawa Knights (1945-47), Montréal Métros (1947-52), Ottawa Knights (1952-55), Sherbrooke Blue Jays (1955-56)
Sound Cups: 0
Awards: 0

After an illustrious 11-year career on the ice, McMillan has chosen to bid farewell to his skates and move on to the next chapter of his life. Throughout his time as a player, McMillan served with distinction on three teams, notably the Ottawa Knights and Montréal Métros, where he earned recognition for his unwavering commitment and relentless work ethic. Despite not clinching a Sound Cup or garnering accolades for his exceptional abilities, McMillan remained a steadfast presence throughout the 523 regular season games he contributed to Ottawa, Montréal, and Sherbrooke. At 32 years old, McMillan opted to retire following his release from the Blue Jays.

C Robert Davis
Teams: Montreal Beavers (1945-46), Saint John Admirals/Cape Breton Islanders (1946-1954)
Sound Cups: 0
Awards: 1 (1948 MVP)

Davis made his debut in the ECHO when he was 25 years old, joining his hometown Montreal Beavers in the league's very first season. After spending a year with the team, he moved to Saint John to play for the Admirals. When the franchise moved to Cape Breton, Davis relocated as well, becoming a pivotal player for the Islanders. Throughout his career, he faced numerous injuries, with the most significant being a torn ACL in 1949, just a year after he was honoured with the league MVP title. Despite the injury, Davis persevered and continued to play at a high level, accumulating a total of 111 goals and 266 assists in 363 regular season games. At the age of 35, he decided to retire and returned to his hometown of Montreal to be with his family.


W Martin Lindsay
Teams: Halifax Highlanders (1945-51), Fredericton Stars (1951-54)
Sound Cups: 3 (1948, 1950, 1951)
Awards: 1 (1951 PMVP)

After an admirable nine-year career, Martin Lindsay has chosen to retire from hockey. Lindsay, who was a key player for both the Highlanders and the Stars, has made a lasting impact on the league. His noteworthy accomplishments include winning three championships and being honoured as the Playoffs MVP in 1951. Throughout his career, Lindsay was celebrated for his exceptional scoring prowess. Unfortunately, he faced persistent knee injuries in his later seasons, which affected his performance. After spending a few years as a free agent, Lindsay decided to retire at the age of 32.

Other Notable Retirements

D Chris MacKenzie
Teams: HFX (1945-50**), TRV (1951-1954)

G Tristan Campbell
Teams: HFX (1945-54***)

W Lewis Bull
Teams: STJ/CB (1949-55)

C Earl Baker
Teams: STJ (1947-49), TRV (1950-54)

W Jamie MacKenzie
Teams: HFX (1945-54***)

C Gordie Silver
Teams: MTB (1945-54)

What are your thoughts on these retirements? You are welcome to share any other feedback, critiques, or inquiries about the ECHOverse. Also, feel free to begin submitting draft prospects, particularly wingers and defensemen.

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (6/05/2024 9:00 pm)