St.Simon's and Brampton tied for the league title. That was when the real drama began. The O.L.A. ordered an one game final to be held at Weston. The Excelsiors had requested a two game home and away series. Consequently they refused to play the final. The chosen Saturday arrived and St.Simon's were awarded the championship by default. The following Monday, Brampton notified the league that they were prepared to play an one game final anywhere, even at St.Simon's, but not at Weston. The O.L.A. gave the Anglicans the choice of playing the game or keeping their tainted title. At a team meeting the older players voted to play, however the younger ones voted against and won out. Thus no tie break was played.

St.Simon's next turned its attention to the Mann Cup. It had been years since the O.L.A. champ had challenged for it because the trip west was simply too expensive. In 1919, however, the C.L.A. decided to hold the final in Winnipeg. Four clubs met in two semi-final series, with the winners then playing off. The Anglicans drew the host team and faltered badly. They lost twice by scores of 8-7 and 8-4. Meanwhile, Victoria defeated Edmonton 19-4 and 9-1. In the final contest Victoria topped Winnipeg 17-7.

Once again the accurracy of official records must be questioned. The 1919 Mann Cup champ is listed as Vancouver Foundation Club. It is quite possible they defeated Victoria after the Winnipeg tournament. It's just as possible that the records are incorrect(like in 1910?). The only thing certain is that Vancouver did not participate in the Mann Cup Final.

Montreal Shamrocks were back in the N.L.U. with most of their stars: Jim and Bill Walsh, Harry Hyland, Jim and Nate Penny. Nate was a professional boxer, a very useful skill in lacrosse. George Roberts rejoined the club for it's second game, claiming to be a changed man. On July 19th, he proved it by not retaliating after an Ottawa player cut him on the chin. His remarkable transformation was spoiled in September. Roberts thought he had beaten Cornwall goalie Hank Smith but umpire Aspell ruled no goal. The Shamrock star lost his irish temper and broke Aspell's umbrella. Shamrocks were very embarrassed and gave the umpire money to buy a new one.

The main story of the year was Happy L'Heureux's last game. The thirty-nine year old was in his twentieth season as Nationals' goalkeeper. He had led Sherbrooke to a Quebec junior title in 1897, then an Intermediate crown the next year. When Sherbrooke moved to the N.L.U. Happy switched from home to goal. By 1919 he had established himself as the N.L.U.'s most durable goaltender. His career wins(83) were 19 more than anyone else. Also his minutes played(13,741) were more than 5,000 ahead of his closest rival. Plus none of those statistics included the heavy workload he'd carried through three D.L.U. campaigns! Understandably it had all taken its toll on L'Heureux. In early July, he admitted to a friend that this would be his final season. Two weeks later, he took up his usual position to face the Colts. It was a big game for Nationals because they'd been embarrassed in Cornwall 12-2 the previous Saturday. To add insult to injury, the frenchmen's equipment had never arrived and they had to borrow some from their opponents. At Maissoneuve Grounds, Cornwall again had their number. They grabbed a 2-0 first quarter lead. Early in the second L'Heureux began to suffer chest pains and pulled himself from the contest. He promised his teammates he'd be back for the second half, then headed to the dressing room. With longtime teammate Dr.LaChappelle examining him, Happy was anxious to get back to the game. He asked for a cigarette but an attendant informed him that smoking was prohibited, due to a grandstand fire which had broken out in the spring. Seconds later, L'Heureux dropped dead of a heart attack. The game was postponed and replayed at season's end.

Shamrocks and Cornwall battled for the championship. The irish started the year by beating Colts 7-6 in overtime. Eddie Butler scored the winner. Yet Cornwall beat them a week later, thanks to Henry Donihee's hattrick. The '19 schedule was interesting because teams often met on consecutive weekends. Cornwall grabbed first place on Dominion Day by beating Shamrocks 8-6. They threw that advantage away on Orange Day when Ottawa defeated them 9-4. Cy Denneny and Frank Hearn starred in the Capital upset. It was one of only three games Ottawa won all year. Another was two weeks later, when they bounced Shamrocks 8-5. Eddy Longfellow made his Capital debut in this win. Cornwall soon had a big edge as the green shirts lost again the next week. Nationals upended them 9-8. Georges Dussault inspired the frenchmen with four points. A remarkable accomplishment. This was the first game for the violet et blanc after L'Heureux's death. Credit Happy with one more win? After that, the irish got serious. They ran off six straight wins to conclude the schedule. Leading the charge was Jimmy Walsh. He was married at the end of August but delayed his honeymoon over a month, until the season had concluded. On September 6th,Cornwall failed to clinch the pennant when Shamrocks beat them 12-4. The irish followed that by routing Caughnawaga 15-5 as Jimmy Walsh scored six goals. That forced Cornwall to reply the postponed game with Nationals. A full eighty minutes was to be played but Colts carried over their 2-0 lead. The big disagreement was over gate receipts. Neither side would compromise so the league decided that admission would be free! Cornwall won 7-5(officially 9-5).

On October 4th, the tie break began in Cornwall. As Jimmy Walsh's bride shivered in the cold, Hugh Campbell gave Shamrocks the lead ten seconds into the contest. The home side did not get into the game until the second quarter. A pair of goals by Watson, forty seconds apart, reduced the irish lead to 4-3. The green shirts replied by scoring the next eight! Four from George Roberts' stick. 12-7 was the final. Bill Fitzgerald scored once for Colts. He would miss the rematch, likewise for Bill Walsh. Never mind, it was another scoring exhibition for Roberts. Five more and teammate Butler chipped in four as Shamrocks romped to a 17-6 victory. Their last championship ever!

The N.L.U.'s last year began with Ottawa dropping out before the season had started. Too many Capitals had obtained amateur cards to play in the new East Canada League.

The three remaining teams lasted only five games. Drawing crowds as low as 200, the professional clubs couldn't possibly survive. The league's final game was played in Cornwall on July 3rd. Colts defeated Shamrocks 5-3 as veteran defender John White scored twice. An appropriate ending as Shamrocks and Cornwall were the two winningest teams in league history. Since 1885, the Montreal side had won 208 games, had 18 winning seasons and taken home a dozen pennants. Colts had won 180, along with 16 winning seasons plus 5 championships. Both teams tried to enter the amateur league but were turned down. They did join in 1921.

Most of the players extended their careers well into the decade. Bouliane, Cy Denneny and Vincent all played in the professional box league of 1931-32.'Goal A Game' Louis White outlasted them all. White came out of retirement in 1943 and played one game for St.Regis. The sixty-seven year old did not get his goal that game.

The East Canada League title was won by Ottawa Senators. They won 5 and lost 2 enroute to first place. Charlie Connell was the reason for their success. He scored a hattrick in all but one game and finished the year with 30 goals. Ottawa concluded the schedule with a resounding 19-2 win over second place Montreal. Connell fired in eight goals.

Toronto Maitlands joined the O.L.A. Senior league led by Lionel Conacher. The Big Train scored twice in his debut, a 4-3 loss to Young Torontos. Maitlands went on to place third and post a winning record of 4-3. Fourth place for Young Torontos with only 2 victories. Niagara Falls was the other new squad. Nine starters were from St.Catharines. Due to poor attendance the team moved to the Garden City in August. An improved crowd of 2,000 saw them lose a heartbreaker to Brampton. The home side actually tied it, however referee Bert Booth ruled that time had run out. That was the only close game the winless Falls crew were involved in.

The Brampton/St.Simon's rivalry was renewed in June. Excelsiors claimed revenge with a 10-6 win. Jack Burrell counted three for the victors. The teams drew 4-4 on Dominion Day, leaving the championship in doubt until the end of August. In the replay, Anglicans won 7-4 to create another tie for first place. On this occasion the final was played. St.Simon's won easily 8-2.

The Saints had a busy finish to the year. In late September, they met the Eastern Amateur champs from Ottawa. The Toronto club won 9-3, then tied in Ottawa 7-7. Next came a match against Brampton for the newly created Desborough Cup. Excelsiors started fast and grabbed a 3-0 lead. St.Simon's battled back. They tied it while a Brampton player lay injured on the field. The red shirts refused to play overtime, thus the Anglicans claimed the cup. A number of oldtime players attended the contest and they were not impressed by the level of play. They would have been even more disappointed a week later. St.Simon's met Intermediate titleholders Orangeville for the Clare Levack Trophy. The series opened Wednesday up north. Due to Wednesday being a half work day, Dufferins played most home games on this day. The green shirted intermediates surprised the Saints with their free flowing style and won 9-6. There was more grief in store for the Senior champs on Saturday. Again Orangeville defeated them, by a 7-3 count.

N.L.U. STATISTICAL LEADERS

TEAMS
Games: Shamrocks(362) Cornwall(354) Capitals(277) M.A.A.A.(267) Toronto(221) Nationals(208) Tecumshes(93) Ottawa(35) Sherbrooke(20) Ontarios(18)

Wins: Shamrocks(208) Cornwall(180) Capitals(141) M.A.A.A.(121) Nationals(104) Toronto(88) Tecumsehs(58) Rosedales(12) Ottawa(10) Brockville(3) Quebec City(3)

Winning Percentage: Rosedales(100) Tecumsehs(63.7) Shamrocks(58.4) Cornwall(52) Capitals(51.5) Nationals(51.2) M.A.A.A.(46.5) Toronto(41.1) Brockville(30) Ottawa(28.6)

Winning Seasons: Shamrocks(18) Capitals(16) Cornwall(16) M.A.A.A.(9) Toronto(9) Nationals(8) Tecumsehs(5) Rosedales(1)

Pennants: Shamrocks(12) Capitals(6) Cornwall(5) M.A.A.A.(5) Nationals(3) Tecumsehs(2) Rosedales(1)

PLAYERS
Games: John White(184) Bob Degan(159) Jack Shea(153) Rod Finlayson(145) Jim Kavanaugh(142) Jack Brennan(136) Fred Degan(132) Don Cameron(126) Albert Dade(125) Ernie Butterworth(124) Charles Querrie(119) John Powers(118) Paddy Brennan(116) John Broderick(114) Clarrie McKerrow(114)

Goals: Jack Brennan(198) George Roberts(194) Didier Pitre(164) Newsy Lalonde(161) Albert Dade(157) Henry Scott(148) Jim Hogan(140) Paddy Brennan(140) John Powers(137) Oncle Lamoureux(136) George Kalls(134) Pete Barnett(134) Jimmy Walsh(130) Ed Murphy(116) Dolly Durkin(113)

Assists: Charles Querrie(88) Ambrose Degray(68) Neil Felker(63) Ed Robinson(63) John Currie(62) John Powers(58) Jack Brennan(55) Didier Pitre(54) Frank Nolan(54) Alf Kane(49) Paddy Brennan(48) Harry Hoobin(47) Bob Degan(47) Dolly Durkin(46) Dare Devil Gauthier(45) Billy Starrs(45)

Points: Jack Brennan(253) Didier Pitre(218) George Roberts(212) Charles Querrie(197) John Powers(195) Henry Scott(192) Albert Dade(191) Newsy Lalonde(190) Paddy Brennan(188) Jim Hogan(177) Oncle Lamoureux(175) Ambrose Degray(172) Pete Barnett(169) George Kalls(161) Dolly Durkin(159

Pennants: Jack Brennan(7) Paddy Brennan(7) John Currie(7) Ed Robinson(7) Harry Hoobin(6) John Howard(6) Spike Hennessy(5) Jim Kavanaugh(5) John Powers(5) Jack Adams(4) Alex Black(4) Norm Carpenter(4) Dave Danaher(4) Jim Hogan(4) Jim McKeown(4) Ed Murphy(4) Shaun O'Reilly(4) George Roberts(4) Harry Smith(4)

GOALTENDERS Minutes: Happy L'Heureux(13741) John Brennan Jr.(8070) Bouse Hutton(7660) Arthur Hamilton(5420) Jim Muir(4740) Corey Hess(4240) Archie Allen(4160) C.Fyon(4140) Norm Carpenter(3992) Hank Smith(3700) Clint Benedict(3690) Newsy Lalonde(3575) Percy Quinn(3540) Bun Clarke(3440) Tommy Crown(3420)

Wins: Happy L'Heureux(83) John Brennan Jr.(64) Bouse Hutton(49) Norm Carpenter(40) Tommy Crown(36) Percy Quinn(35) Corey Hess(29) C.Fyon(28) Hank Smith(28) Roy Kinsmen(26) Bun Clarke(26) Foley(24) Newsy Lalonde(24) Frank Tierney(23) Jim Muir(23) Clint Benedict(23)

Winning Percentage(min. 10 games): Wendall Holmes(100) Billy Aird(92.9) J.Stinson(86.4) Tommy Crown(83.7) Percy Quinn(78.6) M.Kenney(78.3) Norm Carpenter(77.8) James McKenna(66.7) John Brennan Jr.(64.6) Alex Robertson(64.3) V.Silsmer(64.3) Bun Clarke(63.4) Roy Kinsmen(63.4) Jim Kavanaugh(63.3)

Average(min 10 games): Billy Aird(1.78) Tommy Crown(1.89) Norm Carpenter(2.24) J.Stinson(2.50) Shanks(2.61) R.McLellan(2.67) Sam Martin(2.72) Percy Quinn(2.80) Thomas Prior(2.82) James McKenna(3.25) J.Clewes(3.38) Corey Hess(3.40) Foley(3.46) John Reddy(3.53) Jim McConaghy(3.61)

The East Canada League continued but the balance of power had shifted westward to southern Ontario and British Columbia. Lacrosse in Ontario was on the road to recovery as the O.L.A. Senior League boomed to eight teams and two divisions. Orangeville moved up to senior and tied for Group Two honours. Maitlands' upset win over St.Simon's created the deadlock. Lionel Conacher scored a pair, including the winner, in the 3-2 victory. Both Dufferins and Anglicans finished 9-3-1. Maitlands placed last with only 2 wins. Buck Johnston led them with 11 goals. It was also an sad season for Brampton. Excelsiors finished a 3-8 in a rebuilding year. Their only reliable players were George Sproule on offence and John '100%' Campbell in goal. Sproule scored 9 goals and 15 points to finish sixth in the circuit.

Lacrosse would not be lacrosse without a controversy and Group One had it. Weston posted an 8-4 record, including 4 wins over St.Catharines. Both Toronto Riversides and Beaches were 6-5 with games left against Athletics. Apparently the Group title was Weston's. Not so fast. St.Catharines declined to play their final two contests. Even though the leaders could not be caught O.L.A. rules dictated that all A's results must be thrown out. This was an old C.L.A. law which the O.L.A. had inherited. Remember 1898 and Seaforth being cheated out of a pennant? Both Riversides and Beaches had lost once to the Double Blues. Thus the ruling created a three way tie at 4-4.

The tie breaks opened at Alexandra Park, in Oshawa. Riversides and Weston met in a wild match. Two third quarter goals gave the Toronto crew a comfortable 5-2 lead. An ugly mix up marred the last twenty minutes. Riversides' O'Rourke was knocked out which sparked a brawl, spectators included! Riversides went on to win 6-4.

On September 17th, the black and white Riversides won again. Their defence was invincible as Beaches home players were too light to penetrate. Roy Sutherland held them to two goals. Even flashy Art Pim made little impression. At the other end Max McGregor starred. The easterners were unable to contain him as he scored twice while setting up another. Riversides cruised to a 5-2 victory.

Group Two's sudden death game was held at Island Stadium. Orangeville entered the contest with the league's best offence. Youngsters Clyde Gordon and Conny Golden were having a very good year. Gordon, the Fergus native, was league scoring champ. Everyone's favourite dentist Doc Zinn led the club in goals with 16. The Browns, Bert and Blythe, were also a force for Dufferins. The green shirts jumped in front 3-1 as Zinn scored twice and Earl Stevenson counted the other. Herb Scott replied for St.Simon's. The second quarter was scoreless though Anglicans did have an slight edge in play. At one point Dufferins had a three man advantage yet failed to score. Second half goals by Gene Dopp, from Mouse Lount, and Kirby, from Bill Scott, drew the Saints level. The contest was decided in the eightieth minute. St.Simon's netminder Bill MacArthur, a notorious wanderer, ran the ball up to midfield. From there he made a long pass. Orangeville goaltender Bert Booth raced from his crease to intercept but the ball deflected past him and into the open net. Thus MacArthur became the first and only goalie in O.L.A. Senior A history to score a playoff goal.

The league final commenced on Octorber 1st at Scarborough Beach. It was a match up of contrasts between a fast, aggressive Riversides squad and the slow, deliberate, steamroller style employed by St.Simon's. Goalkeeping mistakes were once again key. Short, stocky Roy Sutherland was caught out, gifting the Saints their second goal. Herb Scott later put Anglicans up 3-2. Riversides retaliated immediately but were robbed by MacArthur. Big Bill was enjoying his best effort of the season. Eventually he was beaten. A third quarter goal by Mouse Lount, from Gordon Thom, tied the contest.

The championship was decided the next Saturday. Riversides dominated with three times as many scoring chances. They counted two early: Max McGregor against close checking and Roy Chandler who completed a "give and go" with Cliss Starling. St.Simon's hopes were dashed late in the third quarter when Starling was left alone in front of the goal. Riversides added two more in the final twenty minutes.

No Mann Cup challenge for the O.L.A. this season, nor in any of the ones to come. The season was long enough already without a cross country trip to conclude it. Thus New Westminster held the title for a record six years(1920-25).

That left the Levack Trophy to play for. A chance for Senior Lacrosse to redeem itself. St.Mary's Alerts were Intermediate champs, having slipped past Oshawa 17-15 in a two game final. Their defence was roughly treated by Riversides. They outscored the green and white Alerts in every quarter enroute to an 11-5 win. St.Mary's goaltender Stephens suffered a foot injury but held fast at his post throughout the onslaught. In St.Mary's, Alerts put their perfect home record on the line. The match was fast and clean, with few penalties. The visitors took a 4-3 lead to the final quarter but surrendered five goals and lost 8-6. They still took the series, however Intermediate had given Senior Lacrosse another black eye.

Nine teams started the O.L.A. season but Toronto Shamrocks only lasted five games. Young Toronto's Bill MacArthur made it through only six. A railroad accident ended his season prematurely.

The defending champs added Lionel Conacher to their lineup. He led them in scoring, however Riversides finished second to St.Simon's in Group Two. The Anglicans only loss came on September 3rd, after they had clinched first place. Fat Gallagher scored three as Riversides upended them 5-1. Also in the Group was St.Catharines and Toronto Beaches. Both had losing records. The duo of sniper Vince O'Brien and playmaker Ducky Switzer kept the Athletic offence humming. Art Pim was Beaches hero and he topped the league with 21 goals in 7 games.

The fight for Group One honours was much tighter. An improved Brampton squad, with junior Pete Machell, battled Weston hard. They left Maitlands and Young Torontos well behind. The latter lost every game. The Suburbanites, as the Toronto media called them, had built a team to dominate the decade. The three Coulters, Kingdon brothers, Earl Stevenson(over from Orangeville) Toad Farr, Nels Riley and Fred Rowntree would lead the lacrosse renaissance of the twenties.

The four head to head meetings between the contenders would decide first. Weston won on July 8th 5-2. The next week Brampton topped them 5-1. Thus they headed down the home stretch even. On August 19th, Excelsiors were doubled 4-2. The following Saturday they rebounded to rout Young Torontos 14-6. Meanwhile the Suburbanites defeated Maitlands 5-1. In their final encounter, Machell scored a pair and George Sproule a single goal for Excelsiors. Three was not enough as Weston counted eight. Harry Coulter's hattrick broke Brampton's spirit.

The final was a tough defensive series. Bill Coulter was given the task of covering Max McGregor and he succeeded admirably. Weston won at home 3-1 but had to fight for dear life to hang on at Scarborough Beach. 5,000 watched a tight contest with the play mostly ragged. Riley scored 5 minutes in to put Weston up three goals. Jack Cudmore replied before quarter time, then Mouse Lount gave St.Simon's a 2-1 lead in the second. Just after the halftime break, Bill Scott made it 3-1, tying the series. Midway through the third quarter cover point Toad Farr potted the series winner. The Suburbanites fell back on their defence for the last 30 minutes to secure the title.

Orangeville were again Intermediate champs and once again after the Clare Levack Trophy. The opening match in Weston drew only 2,000 spectators. It was a rainy Saturday and between the drizzle and fog the fans had difficulty seeing much. The soaking wet field was a big advantage for the husky Suburbanites, thus they controlled play. What they could not control was the Dufferin counter attack. All four Orangeville goals came on such lightening charges. Weston might have lost the contest had they not scored two weak goals on long shots. The final 20 minutes were played in semi darkness as the players groped their way to a 4-4 tie.

All would be decided on Wednesday at Idylwyld Park. Over 5,000 witnessed the match, 500 having come on a special train from Weston. Andy Hawkins put Orangeville ahead in the opening quarter. Kingdon answered midway through the second frame. The third was a nightmare for the Senior titleholders. Conny Golden scored after a pretty pass from Hawkins. Clyde Gordon followed with a shot from 15 yards out. Raspin Scott, then Roy Cruickshank extended the lead to 5-1. Ramshaw brought the visitors one back after Bert Booth was caught out of his crease. Nels Riley made it 5-3. With only 15 minutes remaining the Westonmen would get no closer. Another triumph for Dufferins! Another failure for Senior Lacrosse.

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