1923 - RISE OF THE EXCELSIORS
With Norm Zimmer, Pete Machell and Jerry Kendall having graduated from
their championship junior team Brampton were poised to take Senior
honours. Weston, however, had added Bob Stephenson and Toots White.
They were better than ever. Stephenson was soon famous for the
spectacular goals he scored from behind the net. Air Stephenson had
arrived and at a time when the Gaits were mere twinkles in their
grandmother's eyes.
The league had only one nine team division, yet there was still
playoffs. The top two teams would meet, regardless of their records.
Unfortunate break for the Excelsiors. They finished first at 14-2 but
had to playoff against 13-3 Weston.
The new format did not help the bottom five clubs. None were a factor
and all had losing seasons. The most stunning collapse was by
St.Simon's. The Anglicans had goaltending woes, plus Max McGregor
jumped to Riversides. In his place Mouse Lount led the offence with 9
goals and Bill Scott supported him with 8. The Saints still fell to
3-12-1. McGregor led Riversides with 14 counters. He simply replaced
the offensive output lost with the departure of Lionel Conacher.
Riversides also won only three times. St.Catharines was even worse
with a pair of victories. Percy Oille had a terrific year with 14
goals but he received no help from his friends. Matters were little
better for Young Torontos(5-9) or Mimico(6-9). George Laceby's 9
tallies topped Torontos marksmen. Jack McDonald scored 14 for
Mountaineers.
Orangeville and Maitlands remained in contention until the end of
August. Dufferins were as high scoring and as exciting as ever to
watch. Maitlands offence was just as productive, thanks to the return
of Conacher. The Big Train's finest showing was on June 9th against
Mimico. He missed the first 20 minutes due to a baseball game.
Immediately after driving in the winning run, Conacher hopped into a
waiting car and raced across town. By the time he reached Scarborough
Beach Mountaineers were up 2-0 and threatening an upset. That all
rapidly changed. In the remaining three quarters Conacher scored six
goals as Maitlands won 12-3.
Orangeville's title hunt looked strong until the last month. They
entered August with only two losses, tied with Brampton and right
behind Weston. Maitlands were a close fourth with three defeats. The
two pretenders soon started to slide. On the 1st, Dufferins lost at
home to the frontrunners 3-2. On the 11th, Maitlands fell, losing a
5-4 thriller to Orangeville. The next week, Art Pim's hattrick led
Brampton past Weston 6-5. That created a tie at the top. The
Suburbanites recovered to again defeat Dufferins, 6-3. Four days
later, the red shirted Excelsiors provided the knockout blow by beating
Orangeville 5-4. With four losses Maitlands were still alive and drew
within one game of Weston by doubling them 4-2 on Labour Day. They now
had to hope for an St.Simon's upset win and also defeat Brampton
themselves. The Suburbanites clinched the last playoff spot by
crushing the Anglicans 13-2. Meanwhile Maitlands fell to Brampton
11-2.
Over 6,000 lacrosse enthusiasts made their way to Weston on September
15th. The home side took double the penalties but still controlled the
opening game of the final. The red shirts were listless, struggling to
make and catch the simpliest passes. Pete Machell tried to get them
going in the second quarter. His sparkling individual effort deserved
a goal but Fred Rowntree saved sensationally. The Suburbanites were up
2-0 on Ramshaw goals before Brampton broke through in the third.
George Sproule scored during a two man advantage when Rowntree was
caught wandering. Toots White responded instantly, surprising John
Campbell with an over the shoulder shot. The last twenty minutes were
evenly played. Hutch Keith made the final result 4-1 when he put one
into the top of the net.
Up north the red shirts continued to struggle. They did score first
but were outclassed the entire opening half. Bob Stephenson set up the
Weston attack. The big fellow tied it 1-1, then led the visitors to a
4-1 lead. Brampton saved face in the final forty minutes as
substitutes Dr.McLean and Alex Hilgartner sparked their comeback.
McLean scored all three, however 4-4 wasn't good enough.
With Orangeville in Senior they could not defend their Intermediate
title. The crown passed on to Hamilton Tigers. They defeated
St.Mary's for the championship. The Clare Levack competition commenced
in Weston. The locals were off their stride but still won 7-4.
Stephenson and Harry Coulter both counted a pair. Tigers were at a
disadvantage. They dressed Guy Smith and veteran native player Dave
Thomas, however referee Eddie Powers ruled both ineligible. Thus the
visitors had to play without a substitute.
The rematch in Hamilton was a fiasco. Weston started Toad Farr in goal
and he shutout the Tigers. That plus Gordon Coulter's hattrick were
the only positive efforts. The trouble began when the home side's
netminder Bob Rohmer was injured. Brother Ernie attacked the Weston
players which sparked a brawl and a field invasion. The fans were
barely back in their seats when a rumour circulated that referee Bill
Fitzgerald had struck a Hamilton player. They raided the playing area
again, in an attempt to lynch Fitzgerald. He needed a police escort to
the dressing room. By the way, the final score was 9-0.
