1936-1937 Regular Season
The CPHL’s second season was full of amazing runs by even the worst of the teams. Hamilton went from the basement to a playoff berth, mainly off of the efforts of the 21-year-old defenseman Owen Thompson and 23-year-old winger Peter Holliday, both of whom were able to break through. Thompson reached a career high of 73 points, including 41 goals, with his two record breaking goals coming at home against the rival Toronto Millionaires in front of a full house. Fans in Hamilton also began to fall in love with the young Greco-Canadian winger Ermis Siskakos. Breaking into the league at 17, Siskakos won his way into the hearts of the Steelmen’s fans with his insane plays and speed, overcoming the slights against his ethnicity. Siskakos had what the reporters referred to as killer instinct, occasionally being able to force his way towards the net and complete the play.
While Hamilton enjoyed the fruits of their efforts, Brampton remained in the basement, dropping to last place. Even though they came last in the standings, Brampton fans were excited for the future of their team, as they improved to a .500 record, and their team looking especially promising. Although aging, Walter Griffith led the team with 65 points, including 35 goals, and providing important mentorship to the young guns that dotted the lineup. In particular, Ryan Carter, James Walsh, and Maxime Pelletier were players that began to find their way in the league and to learn from Griffith. In goal, they struggled, with Michael Francis and John Redson proving to be well below average as a goaltending tandem,
Montreal’s season did not go unnoticed, as they had a perfect regular season record, with all their players, even the depth players bringing the points where it counted. Elias Laduc, a second year 19-year-old, brought a unique style of play to the Montreal net during his limited starts, as he introduced what he began to call the butterfly style of goaltending. His unique style of goaltending brought the CPHL into a new era of goaltending, as he begins to making saves on his knees in an outlandish manner. Montreal coach Pascal Malet loyally protected his young goalie from the disparaging remarks of the press, who earnestly believed that the butterfly style would dilute the integrity of the league’s goaltenders.
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Ottawa was once more in the news. In a game against the Settlers, Camilo Adams delivered a crushing blow on Felix McCaun along the boards. McCaun crumpled on the ice, devasted from the trauma of the hit and would not return to the game. The hit sparked an all out-brawl on the ice, with Adams being attacked by at least five of the Settlers. Both benches cleared, with the Cavalry trying desperately to save Adams from the mauling he was threatened. A humongous brawl began along the boards opposite the bench. With McCaun still crumpled on the ice, Adams and the Cavalry fought hard for their lives. The battle became legendary, and Adams had a few more scars to show in the future. Following the game, Adams would be suspended for the remainder of the season, and the play-offs.
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By February, Toronto was out of the play-offs, but not by much. On the front lines, Laurie Manfredi was the 24-year-old who gave the Millionaires some sort of hope for the future. On the blue line, Toronto had lots of prospects and some talent, especially in Michael Lowry and Michael Johnson. Unfortunately, Toronto’s goaltending and offense let them down, and they finished one win outside the playoffs.
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