1920 - THE END OF THE N.L.U.
The N.L.U.'s last year began with Ottawa dropping out before the season
had started. Too many Capitals had obtained amateur cards to play in
the new East Canada League.
The three remaining teams lasted only five games. Drawing crowds as
low as 200, the professional clubs couldn't possibly survive. The
league's final game was played in Cornwall on July 3rd. Colts defeated
Shamrocks 5-3 as veteran defender John White scored twice. An
appropriate ending as Shamrocks and Cornwall were the two winningest
teams in league history. Since 1885, the Montreal side had won 208
games, had 18 winning seasons and taken home a dozen pennants. Colts
had won 180, along with 16 winning seasons plus 5 championships. Both
teams tried to enter the amateur league but were turned down. They did
join in 1921.
Most of the players extended their careers well into the decade.
Bouliane, Cy Denneny and Vincent all played in the professional box
league of 1931-32. 'Goal A Game' Louis White outlasted them all. White
came out of retirement in 1943 and played one game for St.Regis. The
sixty-seven year old did not get his goal that game.
The East Canada League title was won by Ottawa Senators. They won 5
and lost 2 enroute to first place. Charlie Connell was the reason for
their success. He scored a hattrick in all but one game and finished
the year with 30 goals. Ottawa concluded the schedule with a
resounding 19-2 win over second place Montreal. Connell fired in eight
goals.
Toronto Maitlands joined the O.L.A. Senior league led by Lionel
Conacher. The Big Train scored twice in his debut, a 4-3 loss to Young
Torontos. Maitlands went on to place third and post a winning record
of 4-3. Fourth place for Young Torontos with only 2 victories.
Niagara Falls was the other new squad. Nine starters were from
St.Catharines. Due to poor attendance the team moved to the Garden
City in August. An improved crowd of 2,000 saw them lose a
heartbreaker to Brampton. The home side actually tied it, however
referee Bert Booth ruled that time had run out. That was the only
close game the winless Falls crew were involved in.
The Brampton/St.Simon's rivalry was renewed in June. Excelsiors
claimed revenge with a 10-6 win. Jack Burrell counted three for the
victors. The teams drew 4-4 on Dominion Day, leaving the championship
in doubt until the end of August. In the replay, Anglicans won 7-4 to
create another tie for first place. On this occasion the final was
played. St.Simon's won easily 8-2.
The Saints had a busy finish to the year. In late September, they met
the Eastern Amateur champs from Ottawa. The Toronto club won 9-3, then
tied in Ottawa 7-7. Next came a match against Brampton for the newly
created Desborough Cup. Excelsiors started fast and grabbed a 3-0
lead. St.Simon's battled back. They tied it while a Brampton player
lay injured on the field. The red shirts refused to play overtime,
thus the Anglicans claimed the cup. A number of oldtime players
attended the contest and they were not impressed by the level of play.
They would have been even more disappointed a week later. St.Simon's
met Intermediate titleholders Orangeville for the Clare Levack Trophy.
The series opened Wednesday up north. Due to Wednesday being a half
work day, Dufferins played most home games on this day. The green
shirted intermediates surprised the Saints with their free flowing
style and won 9-6. There was more grief in store for the Senior champs
on Saturday. Again Orangeville defeated them, by a 7-3 count.
