1916 - OFFENCE GALORE!
Another wild year of goal scoring. Nationals led the parade by scoring
over fifty goals more than anyone else. The N.L.U. had its first, and
only, fifty goal scorers. In 18 games Newsy Lalonde(57) Didier
Pitre(51), both for Nationals, and George Roberts(50) reached the half
century. Roberts had shifted his allegiance back to Shamrocks due to
M.A.A.A. not fielding a team. The Winged Wheels were another casualty
of the war. They would be back as an amateur club in the 1920s.
Ottawa took their place in the four team league.
Capitals imported western star Clifford Spring and he led their offence
with 32 goals. Tom Gorman and Cy Denneny also reached the thirty goal
plateau. 6 wins and 12 losses was the best Ottawa could do. Three
wins better than Cornwall. Colts top gunner was Henry Donihee with 26
markers.
The two Montreal clubs dominated. Shamrocks' renaissance was due to
the addition of several former Triple A's. Along with Roberts was
Jimmy and Billy Walsh, Nate Penny and Harry Hyland. Those five
accounted for 146 of the irish's 163 goals! Neither the green shirts
or the violet et blanc gave an inch. The pair split their first two
meetings. On June 10th, Nationals won 7-4. Lalonde was shutout but
Ambrose Degray covered for him with three scores. Two weeks later
Shamrocks had their revenge. A 9-2 win. Happy L'Heureux left with a
slight injury earlier in the third quarter. The irish blasted six past
his replacement to break open a defensive struggle. The advantage
shifted back to Nationals on Dominion Day. John Brennan Jr. missed his
only game of the year. Mack Brady took to the Shamrock net and gave up
seven goals. That was enough as the irish fell to Ottawa 7-5. A
fortnight later the frontrunners were level again. Capitals produced
another upset by beating the frenchmen 13-7. Tom Gorman's four goals
won the day. The next Saturday, the green shirts grabbed first place
with a 6-4 triumph over the violet et blanc. Penny's pair was the
difference. On August 7th, Ottawa had its last say in the pennant
race. Cy Denneny scored four as they topped Nationals 9-7. Five days
later, the frenchmen regrouped and beat Shamrocks 8-5. Lalonde led
with a hattrick. That sparked a four game winning streak for the
violet et blanc. Their fourth victory was also at the irish expense.
Nationals doubled them 10-5. Pitre's four tallies carried the day.
That created another tie at the top, both clubs with four losses. On
September 9th, the contenders met for the final time. Over 10,000
crowded into the Maissoneuve Grounds. The Dare Devil shone brightest
for the frenchmen. The ubiquitous Gauthier was all over the field and
brought the crowd to its feet when one of his famous rushes produced a
goal. Yet it was the Shamrock fans who did the most cheering. Mainly
for George Roberts' five goals. Also for Jimmy Walsh's hattrick. And
for the irish defence which shut down Newsy Lalonde. The green shirts
triumphed 11-8. Lalonde redeemed himself the next week with 8 goals in
a 23-11 romp over Cornwall. That gave Nationals a chance at a tie. It
wasn't going to happen. On September 23rd, Shamrocks crushed Ottawa
17-5. Five goals for Egan, with four going to Roberts and a trio for
Penny. The irish were champions again, ending a nine year drought.
The O.L.A. season lasted past June! Of course league play did not
begin until Dominion Day. St.Catharines delayed proceedings with their
June trip to New York. They played Brooklyn Crescents in an exhibition
game and managed a 5-5 tie. Not a bad effort. The Crescents had been
playing matches against N.L.U. clubs over the years and had usually
been competitive. Unluckily that would be Athletics high point of the
year. Their championship bid would be a major disappointment.
Young Torontos waltzed to another title without too much trouble.
Another perfect record, 4-0 this time. Among their stars were: Gene
Dopp(8 goals) Eddie Powers(5) Bill Scott and Gordon Coulter(3 each).
At the other end Bill MacArthur surrendered only 10 goals. The key
game was their initial contest in the Garden City. They prevailed over
the Double Blues 7-5. The pair would meet again at month's end. The
Toronto squad won 7-0. In between Toronto Riverdales lost three
matches. Their opener was their best effort. A 7-3 loss to the
champions. They did not bother travelling to St.Catharines for the finale.
