1919–20 Ottawa Senators season

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1919–20 Ottawa Senators
Stanley Cup champions
1919–20 record9–3–0 (1st half)
10–2–0 (2nd half)
Home record12–1–0
Road record7–4–0
Goals for121
Goals against64
Team information
General managerTommy Gorman
CoachPete Green
CaptainEddie Gerard
ArenaThe Arena
Team leaders
GoalsFrank Nighbor (26)
AssistsFrank Nighbor (7)
PointsFrank Nighbor (33)
Penalty minutesSprague Cleghorn (62)
WinsClint Benedict (19)
Goals against averageClint Benedict (2.66)

The 1919–20 Ottawa Senators season was the club's 35th season of play and third season in the NHL. It was a very successful season, as they set an NHL record for wins (19), points (38), and won both halves of the season, therefore the Sens automatically were awarded the NHL championship and the right to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Senators defeated Seattle to win their eighth Stanley Cup title.

Regular season[edit]

Team picture as published in 1921 Ice Hockey Guide

The Quebec Bulldogs team was relaunched and added to the league and the schedule changed from 18 games to 24. Also, the Toronto Arenas would get new ownership and be renamed the Toronto St. Pats.

Frank Nighbor led the Sens offensively with 26 goals, good for 3rd in the NHL, and his 33 points ranked him 4th. Clint Benedict would set an NHL record with 5 shutouts, and he led the league in both wins (19) and GAA (2.66).

December[edit]

Ottawa finished December with a 2-0-0 record, earning four points. The Senators were in first place in the NHL, as second place Toronto also had four points, however, they had played more games by the end of December.

January[edit]

  • January 7 - The Senators returned home for a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Punch Broadbent scored three goals and an assist, all in the first period, as Ottawa held on for a 4-3 win over Montreal.[5]
  • January 10 - The Quebec Bulldogs made their first ever visit to Ottawa. After a scoreless first period, the Senators scored three in the second period, followed by four in the third in a 7-1 win over Quebec. Jack Darragh scored three goals in the win.[6]
  • January 17 - Ottawa continued their road trip with a game against the Montreal Canadiens. Punch Broadbent scored both of the Senators goals, however, Amos Arbour scored the winning goal for the Canadiens late in the third period as the Senators lost the game 3-2.[8]
  • January 24 - Ottawa was back on the road with a game in Toronto against their provincial rivals, the Toronto St. Patricks. Sprague Cleghorn led the Senators offensively with a goal and an assist, however, Cully Wilson scored twice for the St. Patricks as the Senators lost the game 5-3.[10]
  • January 28 - The Senators returned home for the second game of a home-and-home series against the Toronto St. Patricks. Ottawa was led by Punch Broadbent, who scored two goals and two assists, while Clint Benedict stopped every shot he faced, as the Senators shutout Toronto 7-0.[11]
  • January 31 - The Montreal Canadiens came into Ottawa for the final game of the first half of the season. Both clubs had identical 8-3-0 records and the winning team would earn a berth in the NHL championship. Punch Broadbent scored three goals, Frank Nighbor scored two goals and four assists, and Jack Darragh scored twice and earned three assists as the Senators humiliated the Canadiens by a score of 11-3 and clinch first place in the first half of the season.[12]

February[edit]

  • February 7 - Ottawa returned home for their first home game of the second half of the season against the Toronto St. Patricks. Frank Nighbor scored twice and earned an assist, however, it wasn't enough as the Senators lost the game 4-3.[14]
  • February 11 - The Montreal Canadiens visited Ottawa for the first time in the second half of the season. Jack Darragh scored his second and tie-breaking goal of the game late in the third period, as the Senators defeated the Canadiens 4-3.[15]
  • February 14 - The Senators travelled to Montreal to complete a home-and-home series with the Montreal Canadiens. Sprague Cleghorn and Frank Nighbor each scored as the game was tied 2-2 heading into overtime. In the extra period, Cy Denneny scored 1:30 into the extra period, as the Senators defeated the Canadiens 3-2.[16]
  • February 28 - Ottawa closed out the month of February back on the road in Toronto for a matchup against the Toronto St. Patricks. Frank Nighbor scored a shorthanded goal, while Clint Benedict earned the shutout, as the Senators defeated the St. Patricks 1-0.[20]

The Senators finished February with a 7-1-0 record, earning 14 points, and sitting in first place in the second half standings.

March[edit]

  • March 3 – Ottawa returned home for the second game of a home-and-home series against the Toronto St. Patricks. Cy Denneny and Eddie Gerard each scored two goals and Frank Nighbor scored a goal and two assists as the Senators extended their winning streak to seven games with a 7-4 victory.[21]
  • March 6 - The Senators visited the Montreal Canadiens for the final time of the season. Frank Nighbor scored three goals, including the overtime winner, as Ottawa defeated Montreal 4-3 to extend their winning streak to eight games.[22]
  • March 8 - Ottawa was back at home for a game against the Quebec Bulldogs. The Bulldogs held a 5-4 lead in the third period, however, the Senators scored seven goals in the final 11:30 of the game to defeat Quebec 11-6. Eddie Gerard had three goals and two assists, Frank Nighbor scored three goals and an assist, while Cy Denneny also scored three goals to lead the Senators. With the win, the club extended their winning streak to nine games and clinched first place for the second half of the season.[23]
  • March 10 - The Senators travelled to Quebec for their final game of the regular season against the Quebec Bulldogs. As the Senators had clinched first place, they rested some players in the season finale. The Bulldogs took advantage and snapped the Senators nine game winning streak with a 10-4 victory. Quebec's Joe Malone scored six goals.[24]

Overall, Ottawa had a record of 3-1-0 in March. The Senators won the second half of the NHL season as they posted a league best 10-2-0 record, earning 20 points.

Final standings[edit]

First half
GP W L T Pts GF GA
Ottawa Senators 12 9 3 0 18 59 23
Montreal Canadiens 12 8 4 0 16 62 51
Toronto St. Patricks 12 5 7 0 10 52 62
Quebec Athletics 12 2 10 0 4 44 81
Second half
GP W L T Pts GF GA
Ottawa Senators 12 10 2 0 20 62 41
Toronto St. Patricks 12 7 5 0 14 67 44
Montreal Canadiens 12 5 7 0 10 67 62
Quebec Athletics 12 2 10 0 4 47 96

[25] Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents[edit]

1919–20 NHL Records [26]
Team MTL OTT QUE TOR
Montreal — 1–7 7–1 5–3
Ottawa 7–1 — 7–1 5–3
Quebec 1–7 1–7 — 2–6
Toronto 3–5 3–5 6–2 —


Schedule and results[edit]

1919–20 1st half game log (9-3-0)
1919–20 2nd half game log (10-2-0)

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs[edit]

Ottawa won both halves of the schedule, and no NHL playoffs were played.

Stanley Cup Finals[edit]

Main article: 1920 Stanley Cup Finals
Ottawa Senators 3, Seattle Metropolitans 2

The Senators would face the Seattle Metropolitans for the Stanley Cup, with all games scheduled to be played in Ottawa. However an unseasonably warm spring in the Ottawa area led to some problems with the ice at Dey's Arena, and the final two games were moved to Toronto's Arena Gardens, which had artificial ice equipment.

  • Game 1 - The series opened on March 22 in Ottawa. The Metropolitans Frank Foyston scored the lone goal of the first period, giving Seattle a 1-0 lead over the Senators. Foyston scored his second goal of the game 5:46 into the second period, as Seattle went up 2-0. Frank Nighbor finally got Ottawa on the scoreboard with a goal 14:15 into the second period, cutting the Metropolitans lead to 2-1. In the third period, Nighbor scored his second goal of the game 10:00 into the period, tying the game 2-2. The Senators Jack Darragh scored with 4:00 remaining in the game, as Ottawa held on to a 3-2 win and a 1-0 series lead.
  • Game 2 - The second game was played in Ottawa on March 24. The Senators Jack Darragh scored the only goal of the first period, as Ottawa took a 1-0 into the first intermission. Neither team scored in the second period, as this was a very tightly defensive game. In the third period, Eddie Gerard scored 6:00 into the period, giving Ottawa a 2-0 lead. Frank Nighbor scored a late goal, as the Senators shutout the Metropolitans 3-0 and took a commanding 2-0 series lead.
  • Game 3 - The third game was played on March 27 in Ottawa, as the Senators could close out the series and win the Stanley Cup with a victory. The Senators Georges Boucher got Ottawa on the board first with a goal 5:00 into the game. The Metropolitans Frank Foyston replied with his third goal of the series three minutes later, tying the game 1-1 after the first period. In the second period, Foyston scored once again, as Seattle took a 2-1 lead into the third period. The Metropolitans Roy Rickey scored the only goal of the third period, as the Senators couldn't beat Hap Holmes. Seattle won the game 3-1 and cut the Senators series lead to 2-1.
  • Game 4 - The fourth game was moved to Arena Gardens in Toronto due to ice problems in Ottawa on March 30. The Metropolitans used this to their advantage, as they took a 2-0 lead after the first period. Frank Nighbor brought the Senators to within a goal as he scored 2:00 into the second period, however, the Metropolitans responded with a goal six minutes later, taking a 3-1 lead in the game. Ottawa would once again bring the game to within a goal by the end of the period, as Nighbor scored his second of the game, making it 3-2 Seattle after two periods. In the third period, the Metropolitans scored two goals, including the sixth of the series by Frank Foyston, as they won the game 5-2 and tied the series up at 2-2.
  • Game 5 - The fifth and deciding game was played in Toronto on April 1. The Metropolitans Bobby Rowe gave Seattle an early 1-0 lead with a goal 10:00 into the first period, however, the Senators Georges Boucher tied the game four minutes later, making it 1-1 after the first period. The teams skated to a scoreless second period, as the game remained tied heading into the third period. Ottawa's Jack Darragh broke the tie with a goal 5:00 into the period, giving Ottawa a 2-1 lead. At the 10:00 mark of the period, the Senators took a 3-1 lead after a goal by Eddie Gerard. Darragh then scored two goals within a minute, giving the Senators a 5-1 lead. Frank Nighbor closed out the scoring with a goal 30 seconds after Darragh's second goal, as Ottawa crushed the Metropolitans 6-1 to clinch the Stanley Cup for the first time since the club joined the NHL.
Stanley Cup finals

Player statistics[edit]

Scoring leaders[edit]

Player GP G A Pts PIM
Frank Nighbor 23 26 7 33 18
Jack Darragh 22 22 5 27 22
Punch Broadbent 20 19 4 23 39
Sprague Cleghorn 21 16 5 21 62
Cy Denneny 22 16 2 18 21

Goaltending[edit]

Player GP MinI W L T GA SO GAA
Jack Darragh 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Clint Benedict 24 1443 19 5 0 64 5 2.66
Note:
Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records[edit]

Transactions[edit]

The Senators were involved in the following transactions during the 1919–20 season. [51]

Trades[edit]

November 25, 1919 To Ottawa Senators
Rusty Crawford 		To Quebec Bulldogs
Tommy Smith

Free agents[edit]

November 29, 1919 Did not play in 1918-19
Horace Merrill
December 19, 1919 From Ottawa Munitions (OCHL)
Jack Mackell

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 23, 1919". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: December 27, 1919". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: January 1, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: January 3, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 7, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 10, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: January 14, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 17, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 21, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: January 24, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 28, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 31, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: February 4, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 7, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 11, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 14, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 18, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 21, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 25, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 28, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 3, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: March 6, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 8, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: March 10, 1920". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  25. ^ Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
  26. ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  27. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 23, 1919". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: December 27, 1919". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: January 1, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  30. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: January 3, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  31. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 7, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  32. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club//Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 10, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: January 14, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 17, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club//Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 21, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  36. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: January 24, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  37. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 28, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  38. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 31, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  39. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: February 4, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  40. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 7, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  41. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 11, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 14, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  43. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club//Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 18, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 21, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 25, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  46. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 28, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  47. ^ "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 4, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  48. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: March 6, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  49. ^ "Quebec Athletic Club//Bulldogs vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 8, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  50. ^ "Ottawa Senators vs. Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs Box Score: March 10, 1920". www.hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  51. ^ "NHL trades for 1919-20 - NHL Trade Tracker".
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