The 1894 Amateur Hockey Association of Canada season lasted from January 5 until March 10. The season ended with a four-way tie, necessitating a playoff to decide the league and Stanley Cup championships. The Montreal Hockey Club defeated the Ottawa Hockey Club in the final playoff game to claim the title.
In two games players scored five goals. In the opening game, in which Montreal soundly defeated Quebec 7âÂÂ0, Haviland Routh scored five. On January 20, Bert Russel of Ottawa scored five.
Note GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against
Note: GP = games played, G = Goals scored.
Note: GP = Games played, GA = Goals against, SO = Shutouts, GAA = Goals against average
The first Stanley Cup playoff game occurred on March 17, 1894. At the end of the 1894 AHAC season, four teams tied for the AHA championship with records of 5âÂÂ3âÂÂ0. This created problems for the AHA governors and the Cup's trustees since there was no tie-breaking system in place. After long negotiation and the withdrawal of Quebec from the championship situation, it was decided that a three-team tournament would take place in Montreal, with Ottawa getting a bye to the finals (being the sole "road" team). The Montreal HC defeated the Montreal Victorias, 3 â 2. Five days later on March 22, 1894, Montreal successfully defended their title with a 3 â 1 win over Ottawa. They later awarded the winning players gold pocket watches. The OHA champion Osgoode Hall challenged for the Cup, but this was abandoned due to the lack of natural ice.
Ice conditions were described as not very good. The game was considered exciting, however, with Haviland Routh and Billy Barlow starring.
The final was close and in doubt until Billy Barlow scored the winning goal at 9'00" of the third quarter.
According to the Globe report of the game:
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