The 1916 Stanley Cup Final features the National Hockey Association champions facing the winners of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association.
After posting a regular season mark of 16-7-1, the Canadiens – led by Lalonde, a 31-goal scorer during the 24-game NHA schedule, and Pitre – match up in the final against the Portland Rosebuds, the first American team with an opportunity to win the Cup. Portland’s lineup includes PCHA scoring leader, Cyclone Taylor.
Montreal enjoys home-ice advantage throughout the series with all five games played at the Westmount Arena. With the two leagues competing under different rules, Games 1, 3 and 5 are played under NHA rules, and Games 2 and 4 are contested under those of the PCHA.
In the first game, the Canadiens are shut out by the score of 2-0, the result of a brilliant performance by veteran goalie Tommy Murray and the Rosebuds’ defense, led by Ernie Johnson and Del Irvine. The home team is far from done, as the Canadiens bounce back in the next two games with 2-1 and 6-3 wins.
After the Rosebuds even the series with a 6-5 victory in the fourth game, the Canadiens raise the Stanley Cup for the first time in team history with a win in the fifth and deciding game. The team overcomes a 1-0 deficit to claim a 2-1 victory thanks to a goal by role player Prodger midway through the third period.
Pitre drives the Canadiens’ offense with four goals in five games. Georges Vezina leads the way between the pipes, maintaining a 2.60 goals-against average.
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