MANITOBA MINTO CUP HISTORY- '50'S

STRONG SHOWING IN 1950

The Winnipeg Tribune described the 1950 Eastern Canadian Junior lacrosse play off between the St. Catherine’s Athletics and the Manitoba All Starts this way: “The thrill that local lacrosse fans experienced over the weekend was one that will be long remembered by lovers of Canada’s national game”. The Winnipeg Free Press described the series as: The finest exhibition of lacrosse that has ever been seen”.

In 1948, the St. Catherine squad rolled through Winnipeg trouncing the Isaac Brock team representing Manitoba in a quick two game total goal series. But in 1950, the Manitoba All Stars showed that a stop in Winnipeg is no longer the free space on the Minto Cup bingo card. Prior to the start of the series Tom O’Brien president of the Manitoba Lacrosse association labeled this squad as the best ever assembled by the province of Manitoba. While not winning a game in the two out of three series, Manitoba came within seconds of creating the “biggest upset in sport in modern times” (Winnipeg Free Press).

After a less than stellar performance in the ’49 series, the MLA chose again to assemble an all star team to present the province. A week long training camp, attended by over 30 players, and an exhibition game against the Senior Elmwood Pats, coach Len Swafford and manager selected 17 players to wear the provincial colours. For the first time, Manitoba had a true all star team composed of 8 Elmwood Terriers- Al Smallwood, Jack Rafferty, Bill Swanke, Ted Ermet, Al Bennett, Lionel Merrick, Keith Gray, and Clark Hicks, 4 Deer Lodge Hornets- Jimmie McGeorge, Len Brown, Bob McKracken, and Frank Horch, and 2 players from Isaac Brock- Bill Curtis and Charlie Sabo. The team was a significant overall ’49 squad, which was had seven juvenile aged players. These younger players were replaced junior aged players who competed regularly in the Senior League- seven of these players had Minto experience.

For all the confidence expressed by the Manitoba Lacrosse Association officials, the first game started in typical fashion with the Eastern squad building an 8-0 lead in the first periods. A small but vocal squad at the Olympic rink cheered themselves hoarse as the Manitoba boys clawed their way back into the game. Deep into the final period, Manitoba tied the Ontario squad on a goal by Al Smallwood and took the lead for the first time on a goal by Len Brown with only 54 seconds remaining in the game. With only seconds on the clock St. Kitt’s Derry Davies scooped a loose ball and beat ‘Toba goalie, Keith Gray to tied the game. In the overtime Charlie Sabo drew first blood scoring in the first 47 seconds of overtime. But as the overtime wore on, the pace of game and penalties proved to be the undoing for the plucky ‘Tobans. Final score St. Catherine’s 21 and Manitoba 16. Jim McGeorge led Manitoba scoring with 5 goals, Merrick, Brown, and Ridler contributed 2 goals apiece and singles going to Sabo, Curtis, Swanke, and Smallwood. Keith Gray who came into replace an injured Clark Hicks keep the home province in the game with numerous outstanding saves.

In the second game, St Kitts started quick holding the lead through the entire game. The second game was a more defensive affair, as the Ontario squad realized they needed to respect the offensive talent of the All Stars. St. Kitts jumped out to 5-1 led in the first period. In the second period the ‘Tobans narrowed the gap to 5-4 in the second frame and taking a 7-6 leading going into the final period. In the final frame the experienced and skilled Ontario scored 2 goals up 2 goals, “ragged” the ball and running out the clock.

With both teams emphasizing defense, the contest was a bit rough and tumble with numerous rhubarbs throughout the game. It was a series of penalties in the third period that nearly led to Manitoba stealing the victory.

Goal scores for Manitoba: Merrick (2), Smallwood (1), Houck (1), Ridler (1), Bennett (1), and Sabo (1). Hicks and Gray splitting the goal tending duties played brilliantly turning back numerous point point shots.

In an ironic twist, MLA president, Tom O’Brien presented St. Catherine’s with the Minto Cup. St.C. thought they had won the trophy sweeping the Vancouver Burrards. On their way home they were informed they would need to compete in Winnipeg to keep the Cup. This could only happen in lacrosse.

While some say there is no such thing as a moral victory in sports, 1950 proved to be the turning point in Manitoba lacrosse, as Manitoba was able to compete on an equal footing with the big boys. The best was yet come when the first graduating class of the Greater Winnipeg Juvenile League filled the Manitoba Junior League with an influx of talent.

FINALLY SUCCESS IN 1951

The 1951 version of the Manitoba Lacrosse Junior All Stars had many familiar faces with five players having Minto Cup experience, led by goal tender Clarke Hicks playing in his fourth Cup. What made this team different was an infusion of young talent from the Winnipeg Minor Lacrosse League- West End ‘s Glen and Lorne Christianson, Deer Lodge Hornet grads: Ron Arkley, Jeep Woolley, Jim Palmer, Bill Welligan, Ernie Gaudreau, and Ron Leitch. The group of young talented players from the West Side of Winnipeg was built around a core of ten players from Elmwood, long the hot bed of lacrosse in Winnipeg: goaltenders- Clark Hicks and Mike Tymtysyn, forwards- Lionel Merrick, Gerry Ridler, Doug Smallwood, Gord Horner, Butch Wozniak, and defenders- Cliff Hamilton, Bill Swanke, and Effie Neubauer. In preparation for the Minto Cup play downs, all these players honed their skills by playing for teams in the Winnipeg Senior League. Jim Palmer, Lionel Merrick, Cliff Hamilton, Jerry Ridler, Bill Welligan, Gord Horner, and Doug Smallwood were all top ten scores in the senior loop. With a couple of weeks of practice and some inter squad games, coach, Les Swaffer and manager, Jim O’Dowda were confident that their young squad, with seven players still of Juvenile age were ready to face the challenge.

The Manitoba side was going to have their hands full with the BC team selected from the New Westminster Salmon Bellies, Vancouver Burrards, and Coquitlam Adanacs. The all-star team was thrown together hastily as the provincial Champion Burrards had to default their crown for using two over aged players. That being said coach, Earl McDonald, assembled an extremely talented and experienced crew- as good as any team BC has sent to the Minto Cup Series.

Game one, of the best of three series, played in front of small rabid crowd, was a penalty filled affair with the two teams sharing in 39 penalties and one slugfest between Cliff Hamilton and Harold McLennan resulting in major penalties. The violence from the floor spread to the stands with a scuffle between Bob Marsh, manager of the BC team, and Jim O’Dowda, President of the Greater Winnipeg Minor Lacrosse Association. But for the most part the joyful Manitoba fans were well behaved. As for the game, the Toba Team jumped into 7-1 lead at the end of the half, coasting to a 12-8 victory in a match that took over three hours to play. Glen Christianson lead the “Toba scoring onslaught with five goals, with the Jimmy “The Break away Kid, chipping in two. Singles went to Lionel Merrick, Don Leitch, Butch Wozniak, Lorne Christianson, and Bill Welligan. Dave Bedline replied with four for the BC All Stars.

In protest of the roughness of the game and what BC considered poor officiating the BC team boycotted the Minto banquet hosted by the Elmwood Terriers Lacrosse Club. This animosity could lead to bad blood between the teams.

In the second game of the series, the two teams played hard within the rules of the game. Referees, Eric Abbott and Charlie Harding called a tight game- keeping the players and their emotions in check. BC, displayed their offensive prowess, by jumping out to 5-3 lead a t half time. Manitoba started to take control of the game third period, but still trailed 7-5. In the fourth period, Manitoba charged out to an 8-7 lead, driving the jam packed out into hysterics. But BC put an end to the celebration scoring twice in the last 10 minutes, the winning goal coming with 42 seconds left to play- winning 9-7. Winnipeg scores were Jim Palmer and Bill Welligan, each with a pair and singles by Jeep Woolley, Butch Wozniak and Glen Christianson. With the significant number of penalties called by the officials, power play time was plenty, forcing both goalies, Hicks from Manitoba and Woods from BC to making numerous spectacular saves to keep the game close. The local newspapers predicted a remarkable display of lacrosse in the third game of the series if both teams focus on staying out of the penalty box.

The third game, started off slow with both teams wanting to avoid penalties and feeling the effects of the previous two games started off slowly. The first period ended with the score 1-1. In the second period BC unleashed a relentless offensive attack out scoring Manitoba 3 to 1. At the end of the half with the west coasters leading by a 7 to 3 margin, with many in the crowd thinking the Manitoba dream was about to come to an end. The Manitoba All Stars outscore BC 3 to 1 in the third period. Manitoba entered the final period trailing 8 to 6. But with 10 minutes left in the fourth period, Manitoba scored 2 power play goals to knot the game at 8. After the game was tied both team, bolstered by a loud raucous crowd played cautiously, sensing the game would go to overtime. But with three minutes left, Glen Christianson had a different idea, snapping the winning goal on a nifty passing play. From then it was goal tender Clarke Hicks who stymied any chance of the BC come back. Christianson topped the ‘Toba scoring with a hat trick, Lionel Merrick chapped in a pair, with singles going to Jeep Woolley, Jim Palmer, Lorne Christianson, Cliff Hamilton, and Ernie Gaudreau. Merrick’s strong performance came after the young player crawled of his sick bed- struck with the flu and fever- hours before the game.

In the bedlam at the end of the game, the full house cheered the victors until they were hoarse. The bedlam continued in the dressing room as the young team celebrated what was considered impossible- a Manitoba lacrosse team besting a squad of experienced and talented BC players.

How did the ‘Toba team pull off this storybook victory? Many BC supporters said the win was a fluke fuelled by BC’s lack preparation and some hometown officiating that favoured the local squad. Most of this was just sour grapes, as the west coast team was comprised of the best players from the BC junior league and both teams were affected the uneven officiating. The secret to Manitoba’s victory was goal tender Clark Hicks, whose play was a combination of steady and spectacular when the local gang needed it the most. Hicks gashed in the first game of the series came back bandaged- not missing a minute of the 3 games. Hicks was supported by a strong defensive effort lead by Woolley, Hamilton, Swanke, and Neubauer. The determined Manitoba defense lead to numerous turnovers that provided grade “A” scoring opportunities. Eleven different players cashed these opportunities providing balanced scoring through out the line up. Strong team play allowed David to slay Goliath.

Now it was on to Brampton and a date with the Mimico Mountaineers. There will be little time to prepare for the powerhouse Mounties, as the first game of the Minto Cup finals was set to go in four days. So as a despondent BC team boarded the train for home, a jubilant ‘Toba band headed east, dreaming of the ultimate upset. The injury free and rested Mimico club bolstered by additional talent from the Ontario junior league are going to a formidable challenge for the young (seven juvenile aged players) and inexperienced (with only 5 players with previous Minto Cup experience) Manitoba All-stars. Also lost was the element of surprise, by defeating the BC representatives the young team had caught the attention of eastern lacrosse community and the respect of every Mountie player.

In game one, the train weary squad kept the game close playing to a 6-6 tie half way through the game. But at the savvy Mounties struck for quick goals at the start of the second half, combined with the loss of star goal tender, Clark Hicks who was struck in the face took the wind out of the visitors’ sails. Mimico cruised to a 20 to 12 victory. Lorne Christianson led Manitoba with four goals. Lionel Merrick and Bill Welligan each contributed a pair and singles went to Jim Palmer, Ron Arklie, Doug Smallwood, and Effie Neubauer.

The second game of the best of five series was a chippy affair, with numerous minor penalties- four players banished from the game, and stick-swinging duel between Manitoba’s Cliff Hamilton and Mimico’s Fred Sandford. With plenty power play time, the Mounties out scored the visitors 20 to 9. Players picked for this series scored twelve of Mimico’s goals. Manitoba’s scorers were Bill Welligan (3), Doug Smallwood (2), and singles by Jim Palmer, Lionel Merrick, Lorne Christianson, and Ron Arklie. Game three of the best of series was to be played the next day.

The Mounties swept the series defeating Manitoba 17-9 in the third game. Manitoba jumped out to a quick 2-0 first quarter lead. After snuffing out the Manitoba margin, the home team controlled the game. Manitoba scorers with two each were Glen Christianson, Ron Arklie, and Bill Welligan. Jim Palmer scored a singleton.

After travelling 2 days (over 2000 miles) on four days notice, then playing 3 games in 3 days, the plucky Manitoba line up gave it their best effort. The well rested Mimico side, aware of Manitoba’s up set of BC did not take the prairie squad lightly- playing every shift of all three games as their lives depended upon it. Mimico proved to be a true test of Manitoba’s ability to play at the national level. The Manitoba representatives, battered and bruised, arrived home to a rousing crowd at the train station. The crowd was there to salute the turn around in Manitoba lacrosse from doormats to worthy opponents. As the players and spectators mingled there could be heard mumbles of “wait until next year”.

’52 A SMALL STEP FORWARD, BUT STILL A DISAPPOINTMENT

With the Ontario Champions, Brampton Excelsiors, coming to Winnipeg for the 1952 Eastern Canadian Junior lacrosse championships, coach Eric Abbott is hoping to build upon the success of the ’51 All Star, convened a weeklong try out camp that attracted over 25 prospects. All twenty-five plus prospects are top-notch competitors having played in the senior league, competing against Manitoba’s best lacrosse players. Selecting the squad would not be an easy task for Abbott and team manager Jim O’Dowda, The Winnipeg Tribune stated that “the material at hand is good and Abbott and O’Dowda will have their troubles in naming the team”. The bulk of the players at the tryouts developed their skills playing in the Greater Winnipeg Minor Lacrosse Leagues. Selecting the crew was made a bit easier as a number of talented players withdrew due to commitments to work and other sports.

From the tryouts, Abbott built upon the natural strengths of the remaining prospects by selecting a light fast team hoping to use speed as a weapon to negate the big rugged Brampton team’s size advantage. The Ontario champion, Excelsiors, ran rough shod through the league schedule and playoffs with just one loss- garnering the reputation as one of the best teams to represent Ontario in the Minto Cup play downs.

Abbott and O’Dowda announced a line up of 15 players and 5 alternates. The roster include nine hold overs from the surprising ’51 team and a handful of juvenile aged players: in goal, Barry Thorncraft and Lorne Gullivan, on defense, Effied Neubauer, Lorne Christianson, Ralph Lyndon, and Dick Paulley, up front on the forward line, Ron Arklie, Don Leitvh, Ron McIntosh, Ernie Gaudreau, Gord Horner, Butch Wozniak, Doug Smallwood, Lionel Merrick, and alternates Ted Cade, Holly Stevens, Ross Fargey, and Gordon Chem.

The Brampton lineup, coached by Carl Madgett- a polio survivor, was full of talent, that some consider the best team Ontario has sent to the play downs in the last 10 years. The lineup featured Jack Bionda, the best lacrosse player of his era.

In game one, of the best of three series, the Tobans battled to a 6 to 5 lead at the end of the first half. Manitoba opened up fast, taking advantage of the travel weary Excelsiors (arriving 12 hours prior to the start of game) with crisp offensive attack lead by Ron Arklie, Don Leith, Ernie Goudreau, and Gord Horner. Brampton goalie, Jim Dodds made many brilliant saves in the first half until his teammates could fine their legs. With brilliant passing and some sharp defense Brampton erased the lead to take control of the game. Manitoba staged a brief come back in the third period on 2 quick goals by Doug Smallwood. In the fourth quarter, Manitoba ran into penalty problems, leading to four goals that capped the victory 18 to 8. Manitoba wax able to use their speed and rapid passing to overcome the Brampton size advantage, but in the end the talented eastern squad, led by Jack Bionda, was just too much for the All stars.

The second game of the series kept the large pro- Manitoba crowd on the edge of their seats, as each team took turns taking the lead. Toba team led at the end of the first period 4-2. At half time the two team were knotted at seven. The second half was like a heavy weight boxing match with teams exchanging scoring chances- only the goal tending of Brampton’s Dodds and Winnipeg’ Throndcraft limited the teams to only 1 goal a apiece. The fourth quarter was a nail biter with Manitoba taking the lead 8-7, but with nine minutes left Bionda scored a quick goals to tie the match at eights. The pace of the game took a toll on both teams as they chose to play defensively, letting game be decided in overtime. Manitoba started the overtime quickly pressing the Brampton goal only to come away emptied handed. Brampton with some smooth passing took a 9-8 lead. The lead held up until half way through the overtime with Manitoba responding with a goal by Lionel Merrick to bring the local squad even. With less than five minutes, on a solo effort by Bob Watson that put the eastern team ahead for the last time. Brampton is back on the train to face New Westminster for the Minto cup.

Scorers for Manitoba were Merrick Smallwood, and Horner, each with two, and singles going to Lyndon, Wozniak, and Kirby.

The ’52 result was not as exciting as the ’51 Western Championship, but it again proved Manitoba was a province not to be taken lightly in Minto Cup play. Manitoba went “toe to toe”- with a perennial powerhouse, taking the Jack Bionda (the Wayne Gretzky of lacrosse) led Excelsiors to overtime.

After improved performances in the last two Minto Cup play downs, the Manitoba Lacrosse Association, under advisement from Jim O’Dowda, changed the way the team would be selected. For the last two play offs, a junior all-star team was assembled a couple of weeks prior to the competition. This process lead to improved performance and one Western Canadian Championship in 1951, but it was felt to achieve the goal of winning a Minto Cup a team of junior all-stars should be assembled as a team that would compete in the Winnipeg Senior Lacrosse League. Over the last couple of years the bulk of the team was composed of junior aged players who played on different teams. These teams, pulled together 2 weeks prior to the play downs lacked cohesion and that playing as a team all year could provide stronger team work. It was hoped that this was the missing ingredient.

The team competing in the senior league played under the banner of the Elmwood Terriers. This made sense as the bulk of the team was Elmwood products. The Elmwood influence started in goal with Mike Tymschyn and Jack Campbell protecting the cage. The Elmwood forwards on the squad were: Doug Smallwood, Butch Wozniak, Lem Morrow, Gordie Horner, Ted Harris, Gord Chem, Dick Paulley, Denny Brown, and Don Nightingale. The Terrier anchors on defense were Rocky Prost and Ross Fargey. Imports brought in the bolster the squad were Ralph Lyndon (from Isaac Brock/ Orioles), Daryl Young9 (from Isaac Brock/ Orioles), Gary Alcorn (from Isaac Brock), Jack Carnegie (from Deer Lodge), and Bill Friesson (from Deer Lodge). Friesson at 16 years of age is the youngest member of the team. Coach, Len Swafford, and manager, Jim Odowda believe this unit has the ability to catch the power house BC squad napping.

The BC representatives are the New Westminster Salmonacs. The Salmonac went un defeated in 21 games this season as they captured the BC junior title. Coach Ralph Douglas has built the team around a stout defense built around the MVP of the junior league goal tender, Ron Delimonca. With a sizeable advantage in height and weight, the Salmonacs hope to slow down the speedy Manitoba forwards.

The smooth passing BC juniors defeated the Elmwood Terrier in the first game of the best of three series 20-15 in front of a thousand fans at the Olympic rink. The game was close from pillar to post but spectacular play by BC goalie, Wally Davis, kept the “Tobans to get a lead in the game. Davis’s antics in the net and Manitoba’s inability to maintain a sustained consistent attack allowed the Salmonacs to maintain a comfortable cushion throughout the game. Manitoba had their moments where they were able to use their speed to put the BC defense on their heals, but never enough to close the gap. Manitoba was lead by Doug Smallwood’s 4 goals, Dick Paulley “hat trick” and brace of goals from Gord Horner, Butch Wozniak, and Gord Chem. Rocky Prost and Jim Carnegie chipped in singles. Post-game analysis chalked the loss up to Toban’s inability to finish around their net and at times loose play on defense.

In game two of the series almost flipped the script rushing out to a 4-1 first period lead. Four quick ‘Toba goals and brilliant goal tending by Jack Campbell allowed the Manitoba squad to take control of the game right out of the gate. After a tight checking second period, BC battled back to 5-5 tie. In the third period Campbell continued to play well, but Delomnica in the New West net was more than his equal, allowing the BC team to take 11-6 spread. Tempers flared near the end of the game as BC systematically closed out the game by shutting down the Manitoba power play. BC triumphed 18-7. Goal scorers for Manitoba were Doug Smallwood (2), Gord Horner (2), Ralph Lyden (1), Grod Cehm (1), and Butch Wozniak (1). Again a bit of hot goal tending and an inability to put the ball in the net was the undoing of the Manitoba side.