New-York tribune., 1908-02-17
IN THE HOCKEY LEAGUES.
Victory of Yale Credited to Tom
HOacarGs Training.

To most persons who had followed the swork OF
Yale and Harvard In their hockey games previous
to Saturday it figured that Cambridge Wonid
win. but seemed to realize that Yale had
something up her sleeve which she would spring
on her opponents in this all important game
The latter figured it correctly, for the Yale men
certainly had in reserve the very thing most need
ed to win from their heavier and individually SUI
perior opponents-that was team work and Won
derfuIv close and hard checking. Repeatedly the
Harvard sticks were sent flying out of the hands
of her men, and again the stick would De neauy
raised Just ii to be placed on the puch
The master hand of Tom Howard was plainly IN
evidence in this style of play. and he deserves
great credit for the able manner in which he
whipped into winning team that. with the
exception of Williams has not what might be
called star among the seven men.
No better illustration is needed of the well
planned and thoroughly drilled methods of play
adopted by the New Haven seven than the work
Fels right wing. This man, when on the
attack, seemed utterly useless and never followed
up the puck, but for those who watched the inside
points of the play it plainly seen how he was
a strength to the team. He had evidently been
told watch Pell and TO reserve all his energy
for the purpose of holding this brilliant and most
dangerous man in check. How we'll he did IT was
clearly seen throughout the contest, for Pell was
so closely followed and checked that he seldom got
a clear opening for shot.
1t is several years since Yale has held the cham
pionshp Of the intercollegiate Hockey League, but
she well deserves it this year. Princeton won
honoTs last year. after taking the title from
Harvard, which had held it four years in success
sion
Prnceton's showing this year sad disap-
pontment to her followers. she only one
ga me in the series. and this from Columbia. The
trouble due mainly to the poor shooting of the
forwards.
Dartmouth started out well by atng Prince
ton after fine exhibition of hockey. but through
of bar,
games the following week one to Yale and the
other to Columbia, and February smot1-
cred by Harvard.
Columbia while showing Improvement over last
years FORM in, the running from the
start.
Considerable criticism has been levelled at the
Crescents regarding the game they played against
the Wanderers Friday the effect that they
deliberately went the ice to get even with their
opponents for the dirty work the latter used
against a the first meeting early in the sea-
SON 1t has been said they planned put the
Wanderer men, and Wall has been charged. direct
" and indirectly, with breaking the both
Gorham and Ruggles To any impartial observer
Il was plainly evident both accidents more the
fault of the unfortunate victims themselves than
due to roughness Wallis part. In the case of
Ruggles he and Cloran Wall from differ
ent directions. but the latter euded them and
Ruggles and Cloran came together. and the former
went into the side of the rink with a bang and had
to be carried from the ice in helpless condition.
Shirref the only the Crescent team
o do any deliberately rough work. and he the
first after the game TO admit that he lost his
head and deserved the three penalties inflicted upon
him in the contest.
In elis game against the Wanderers the Cres-
cents in poor form. but they will undoubtedly
strike their gait again before they meet the other
teams
The victory of the New York Athletic Club over
the ST. Nicholas Hockey Club Tuesday tied these
second position at
the time gave the Crescents a lead of two
games. which should be enough to win the cham
ponship. The Mercury Footers playing clever
hockey now and they going to give the Cres-
cents the hardest fight of the year at their next
meeting, March 5.
Only two games scheduled for this week. To-
morrow night the ST Nicholas Hockey Club anG
the Hockey Club of New York play. and on Friday
the New York Athletic Club and the Wanderers
sticks.