1928 - THE McLAUGHLINS' TEAM
Hard to believe a carriage manufacturer from Enniskillen could change
lacrosse history. Yet Robert McLaughlin set things in motion when he
moved his businees to the town of Oshawa. When the horseless carriage
was invented McLaughlin immediately transformed his operation. The
result: the Motor City was born, thanks to General Motors. How's all
this tie into lacrosse? In 1928 Sam McLaughlin decided to sponsor the
local team. Overnight Oshawa went from the backwoods to centre stage,
the O.L.A. Senior League. Thanks to General Motors, Toots White, Bob
Stephenson, Red Spencer, Jack Walsh and Ted Reeve were lured to Oshawa
by the promise of various incentives, all courtesy of GM. Toss in such
local talent as Kelly Degray, Chuck Davidson and Charlie Barron and the
Generals were ready to shake up the circuit.
The earthquake had hit before the season began. Perennial powerhouse
Weston were devastated by the loss of five starters. They would fall
to a 6-14 record, then drop down to Intermediate for the next season.
St.Catharines and Young Torontos returned to Senior. The Athletics
would make a good impression on the playoff race, thanks to the work of
Vince O'Brien and Bill Pennie. Torontos would win only four games and
make next to no impression.
St.Simon's began the season fastest, six straight wins. Two of those
were over Brampton. Angus McKinnon scored a hattrick in a 7-6 game.
Trios from Max McGregor and Moose Lount won the second encounter 13-4!
The Anglicans run stopped on the Dominion Day weekend. A Saturday loss
to Young Torontos. Ivan 'Turk' Davis potted the winner in a 3-2 game.
After that, the Saints tumbled to second place due mainly to three
losses to Oshawa. 13-7 was their record when the regular season
concluded.
Brampton took top spot with 15 wins and 5 losses. They lost three
games to St.Simon's but won three out of four over the Generals. Not
only did the Excelsiors have to manage without their defensive captain
Ted Reeve, they were also missing Norm Zimmer. He took the year off.
Quite a loss as Zimmer had never finished lower than third in league
scoring during his five year career.
Oshawa and St.Catharines battled for the final playoff spot. The Motor
City crew started slowly, winning only four times in ten games. That
forced them to chase down the Double Blues. They did not catch them
until August. The significant match was on the 18th. Athletics fell
to Oshawa 9-3. White's four goals had the first year Seniors playoff
bound. St.Catharines would settle for fourth palce, with a 9-10
record.
Oshawa's fortunes had actually turned around a month earlier. Tilly
Sparks began the year in goal but was replaced after ten games by Pat
Shannon. Shannon debuted by beating St.Simon's 5-3. He proceeded to
win eight out of ten to get Generals third spot.
In preparation for the Amsterdam Olympics, New Westminster visited
Toronto on July 23rd. 5,000 attended the exhibition game at Ulster
Stadium. O.L.A. All-Stars prevailed 7-4. Kelly Degray scored the final
two goals of the contest to secure the win. Jerry Kendall also had a
brace and Bill Davis added a goals and assist. George Feeney topped
the losers with a pair. The Salmonbellies went on to have moderate
success in Europe. They, the United States and Great Britain would all
finish the three team tournament tied.
The semi-final commenced September 15th at Alexandra Park. Both Pat
Shannon and Roy Sutherland played superbly and produced first half
shutouts. The break of the match came when referee Charles Querrie
called the day's only penalty on the St.Simon's netminder. While
Sutherland sat on the fence, Jack Walsh scored on a long shot. Six
minutes, later Bill Davis tied it 1-1. That was how the contest ended.
At Ulster Stadium the Anglicans had to play without Angus McKinnon,
then lost Moose Lount in the second quarter. The fast paced game had
Oshawa jump in front on goals by Toots White and Charlie Barron. Rowan
replied for the locals. They were soon down 4-1 as Chuck Davidson and
Barron added another brace. Gordon Thom counted the Saints last just
before halftime. Bob Stephenson and White made the final 6-2.
Back in Oshawa, a crowd of 2,000 watched the final commence. It was
Shannon's day as he shutout the rusty Excelsiors attack. Toots White
dominated the opening five minutes and rolled in the first goal, from
Mel Whyte. The contest was evenly played after that. Late in the
match disaster struck the visitors. Harold 'Mooney' Gibson received a
5 minute penalty for tapping Ernie Shepley on the head. Kelly Degray
and Ted Reeve came forward to help the Generals home players score
three quick ones. Oshawa would take a 4 goal lead to Roselea.
Over 6,000 fans tightly circled the field for the finale. 1,000 Oshawa
rooters made the trip, bringing with them a pipe band and two clowns.
After being sidelined for six weeks, Ingram returned to the red and
white to shadow Toots White. George Farr also rejoined the club after
a short retirement. He scored one of Brampton's four goals. The
others went to Stew Beatty, Jim Burton and Claude Jennings.
Unfortunately for the home side, the Generals counted three and were
never really threatened. Red Spencer and White put them ahead 2-1.
Degray made it 3-2 before the late Excelsior rally.
By this time it was well into October and the Mann Cup title had long
since been decided. It was the only Final to not feature a team from
Southern Ontario or B.C.. Salmonbellies Olympic engagement prevented
them from competing. Oshawa was out because the C.L.A. insisted that
the series be played in early September. Thus Ottawa Emmets filled the
void and took their only national championship by defeating Winnipeg
Tigers.
That left the O.L.A. to revive the Clare Levack Trophy. It was an
international matchup because Buffalo Bisons had won the Intermediate
title. The one game final was held at Brampton, one week after
Generals Senior success. 800 shivering fans watched the contest.
Bisons had auto trouble and arrived one hour late(those darn horseless
carriages!). Worse yet, only 11 men turned up to start. They did have
a full roster by the twenty minute mark but it made no difference.
Oshawa won 13-1. White led the offence with 4 goals and an assist,
followed by Jack Walsh(3-1) Chuck Davidson(2-2) and Charlie
Barron(0-3).
