WP1920 WPG - VICS. V. EATONS, WINNIPEG (HOCKEY)

Date: March 9, 1912 (determined by the event pictured)

Publisher / Photographer: Lyall Commercial

The Winnipeg Victorias were a senior mens amateur hockey team that was first organized in 1889. In 1896 they were the first team from Western Canada to win the Stanley Cup. They did so again in 1901. When, the rules changed in 1908 and the Stanley Cup would only awarded to professional teams, the Victorias remained an amateur team and competed for the Allan Cup. In early 1911, they won the Allan Cup by default and successfully defended it until a loss to the Winnipeg Hockey Club in early 1913.

In defense of the Allan Cup, the Victorias played and won two games against the Toronto Eatons on March 9, 1912. This picture was taken at one of those games. (I believe that the Victorias are in the black uniforms.)

I haven’t been able to determine in which rink the game was being played, but I suspect that it was the Winnipeg (Shea’s) Amphitheatre which, constructed in 1909 and seating 5000, was Winnipeg’s largest indoor rink at the time. (It was also the only rink between Vancouver and Toronto to feature artificial ice.)

Of interest in the image:
* There appears to be a man standing behind the net, likely a goal judge.
* The sign in front of the small balcony reads “Winnipeg City Band” and men with instruments are behind it.
* Is that actually a pole rising from the ice on the left side?

The following information is from the website hockeygods.com:

The Winnipeg Victorias received a challenge from the Toronto Eatons, Ontario champions - Second challenge of the Allan Cup in 1912.

In defence of the Allan Cup, the Victorias played and won two games against the Toronto Eatons on March 9, 1912.
Winnipeg Victorias 8 - Toronto Eatons 4
Winnipeg Victorias 16 - Toronto Eatons 1

The Winnipeg Victorias received three challenges for the Allan Cup in 1912 - First challenge was from the Calgary Athletic Club, Alberta champions, with scores of Winnipeg Victorias 11 - Calgary Athletic Club 0 and Winnipeg Victorias 8 - Calgary Athletic Club 6.

The third challenge was from the Regina Capitals, Saskatchewan champions, with a score of Winnipeg Victorias 9 - Regina Capitals 3.

The 1912 playoff marked the 5th time the Allan Cup had a champion.

Winnipeg Victorias Roster
Basil Baker - Goal , Francis Caldwell - Center, Les Moffat - Cover Point, Hammy Baker - Right Wing, Corky Fowler - Point, Fred Bawlf - Left Wing, Coo Dion - Rover, Gordon Wickson - Spare, Charlie Belcher - Spare.