Belfast Ice Hockey (1939-1954)

This article details ice hockey activities in Belfast, Northern Ireland between 1939 and 1954:
All games played at Belfast Ice Rink unless otherwise noted.
==1939-40==
;Northern Ireland Ice Hockey League
*2/17: Harlandic Wolves - Thornton Wasps 4:3Northern Whig, 1940-02-19
Wolves roster: W. Freil, W. M'Farlane, R. M'Colgin, J. MacRae, G. Neill, E. Hammer, T. Robinson, J. Stewart, G. Steel. Wasps roster: J. M'Crea, G. M'Crea, J. Burns, J. Johnson, T. Gibson, J. Nelson, R. Diplock, R. M'Dowell, R. Graham, C.S. Malcolm. 
*2/24: Harlandic Wolves - Short Brothers Raiders 4:3Belfast News-Letter, 1940-02-26
Wolves roster: G. Uprichard, S. M'Farland, J. Kennedy (3), J. Brotherson, R. M'Colgan (1), G. Neill. Reserves: E. Hammer, J. Robinson, J. M'Crea, J. Stewart. Raiders roster: C. George, C. Steel, S. Finlay, H. Brookes, Magwood (2), D. Montgomery. Reserves: C. Dunbar, A. Bailie (1), Baptie, D. Johnston, A. Blackstock.
*3/2: Balmoral Tigers - Shorts Brothers Raiders 5:2Belfast News-Letter, 1940-03-04
Tigers roster: E. Johnson, G. Davison, N. M'Laughlin, R. Ayers, S. Cooley, G. Dickson (1). Reserves: D. Norwood, D. Monovitch (1), A. Greer (3), D. M'Intyre. Raiders roster: C. George, C. Steel (1), S. Finlay, H. Brookes, J. Robb, D. Montgomery. Reserves: C. Dunbar (1), A. Bailie, D. Baptie, G. Magwood, A. Blackstock.
*3/9: Balmoral Tigers - Thornton Wasps 7:2 - goals: Ayers, Dickson (2), Norwood, Ayre, M'Intyre, Davis/Diplock, JohnstonBelfast News-Letter, 1940-03-11
Tigers roster: E. Johnson, N. M'Laughlin, D. Norwood, R. Ayres, G. Dickson, I. Kester. Reserves: J. Monivitch, H. Ayre, D. M'Intyre, J. Davis. Wasps roster: J. M'Crea, S. Dickson, G. M'Crea, R. Diplock, E. Johnston, J. Nelson. Reserves: T. Gibson, C.S. Malcolm, J. Walker, J. Burns.
*3/16: Shorts Raiders - Thornton Wasps 3:2 - goals: Montgomery, Bailie (2)/Johnston (2)Belfast News-Letter, 1940-03-18
Raiders roster: C. George; C. Steel, S. Finlay, H. Brooks, B. Black, D. Montgomery. Reserves: C. Dunbar, A. Bailie, F. Robb, L. Lorimer, A. Blackstock. Wasps roster: C. M'Crea, J. Nelson, E. Johnston, R. Diplock, S. Malcolm, C. Gaw. Reserves: R. M'Dowell, T. Gibson, J. Walker, J. Burns.
*3/23: Balmoral Tigers - Harlandic Wolves 8:3Belfast News-Letter, 1940-03-25
Tigers roster: E. Johnson, D. Norwood (2), N. M'Laughlin, A. Greer (4), J. Monovitch (1), G. Davis (1), D. M'Intyre, R. Cooley, J. Taylor, O. Castor. Wolves roster: W. Friel, W. M'Farlane, J. Kennedy (1), J. Stewart, W. Brotherson, E. Hammer, R. M'Colgan, T. Robinson, G. Neill (2), J. MacRae.
*3/30: Thornton Wasps - Shorts Brothers Raiders 3:1 - goals: E. Johnston (2), J. Nelson/H. BrookesBelfast News-Letter, 1940-04-01
Wasps roster: Dickson, C. Gaw, Gibson, R. Diplock, E. Johnston, J. Nelson, J. Burns, J. Walker, Hamilton, Malcolm. Raiders roster: C. George, C. Steel, S. Finlay, H. Brookes, B. Black, D. Montgomery, C. Dunbar, A. Bailie, F. Robb, Lorimore, A. Blackstock. 
*4/13: Harlandic Wolves - Shorts Brothers Raiders 7:0 - goals: Greer (3), Neill (2), Kennedy (2)Belfast News-Letter, 1940-04-15
Wolves roster: W. M'Farland, A. Greer, J. Richardson, J. Brotherston, J. Kennedy, G. Neill, J. Stewart, E. Hammer, T. Young, T. Robinson, G. Uprichard. Raiders roster: C. George, S. Finlay, C. Dunbar, C. Steel, V. Black, A. Bailey, F. Robb, D. Brooke, D. Montgomery, A. Blackstock. 
*4/20: Harlandic Wolves - Balmoral Tigers 4:3 - goals: Greer (2), Kennedy, Norwood/Cooley, Johnston, DunbarBelfast Telegraph, 1940-04-22
Wolves roster: Uprichard, Greer, MacFarlane, Brotherstone, Kennedy, Meekin, Hammer, Stewart, Norwood, M'Crea. Tigers roster: E. Johnstone, Dunbar, M'Laughlin, D. Johnston, Coolie, Davis, M'Clelland, Ayres, Monivitch.
*4/27: Balmoral Tigers - Thornton Wasps 5:2 - goals: Cooley, Davis, Ayres (3)/Gibson, NelsonBelfast News-Letter, 1940-04-29
Tigers roster: W. Lowry, N. M'Laughlin, E. Dancklefsen, J. Taylor, R. Ayres, J. Monivitch, D. M'Intyre, G. Davis, K. M'Clelland, S. Cooley. Wasps roster: J. M'Crea, C. Gow, J. Burns, J. Nelson, E. Johnston, R. Diplock, S. Malcolm, T. Gibson, D. Montgomery, S. Hamilton.
*5/4: Harlandic Wolves - Thornton Wasps 6:1 - goals: Kennedy (3), Neill (2), Greer/NelsonBelfast Telegraph, 1940-05-06
Wolves roster: G. Upritchard, A. Greer, J. Kennedy, J. Brotherstone, G. Neill, D. Norwood, W. M'Farlane, E. Hammer, T. M'Crea, T. Young. Wasps roster: C. Dunbar, G. M'Crea, S. Cooley, J. Nelson, E. Johnston, R. Diplock, R. Malcolm, G. Gibson, J. Hamilton, J. Burns. 
*5/11: Shorts Brothers Raiders - Balmoral Tigers 2:1 - goals: V. Black (2)/S. CooleyBelfast Telegraph, 1940-05-13
Raiders roster: J. M'Crea, C. George, C. Dunbar, B. Brookes, D. Montgomery, A. Bailey, F. Robb, S. Findlay, V. Black, A. Blackstock, E. Johnston. Tigers roster: H. Palmer, N. M'Laughlin, E. Danckfelsen, K. M'Clelland, S. Cooley, R. Ayres, J. Monivitch, G. Davis, D. M'Intyre, J. Taylor.
*5/22: Balmoral Tigers - Harlandic Wolves 2:2 - goals: E. Johnston (2)/Kennedy, Greer - finalBelfast News-Letter, 1940-05-23
Tigers roster: J. M'Crea; N. M'Laughlin, C. Dunbar; K. M'Clelland, E. Johnston, B. Black, G. Davis, R. Ayres, S. Cooley, J. Monivitch. Wolves roster: G. Uprichard; A. Greer, D. M'Farlane; J. Brotherson, J. Kennedy, G. Neil, E. Hamer, J. Robinson, D. Norwood, T. M'Crea. 
*5/29: Harlandic Wolves - Balmoral Tigers 4:2 - goals: Kennedy (2), Neill, Norwood/Black, Monivitch - final replayBelfast News-Letter, 1940-05-30
Wolves roster: G. Uprichard; A. Greer, D. M'Farlane; J. Brotherson, J. Kennedy, G. Neil, E. Hamer, J. Robinson, D. Norwood, T. M'Crea. Tigers roster: J. M'Crea; N. M'Laughlin, C. Dunbar; K. M'Clelland, E. Johnston, B. Black, G. Davis, R. Ayres, S. Cooley, J. Monivitch.
Harlandic Wolves won the Gaston Cup.
;Other games
*12/2: Wembley Colts - Wembley Terriers 8:6Belfast News-Letter, 1939-12-04
*12/2: Wembley Terriers - Wembley Colts 12:7Wartime NI
*12/16: Earl's Court Redwings - Earl's Court Marlboroughs 6:4Belfast News-Letter, 1939-12-18
*2/3: Balmoral Tigers - Short Brothers Raiders 7:5 - first game between local Belfast teamsBelfast News-Letter, 1940-02-05
*4/6: Balmoral Tigers - Wembley All-Stars 4:2Belfast News-Letter, 1940-04-08
Tigers roster: E. Johnson, A. Greer, C. Dunbar, N. M'Laughlin, E. Johnson, R. Ayres, S. Cooley, J. Kennedy, D. Norwood, G. Davis. All-Stars roster: J. Smith, R. Wyman, R. Willson, P. Woozeley, A. Ridley, N. Mairlot, K. Perrin, E. Jones, E. Nani, M. Willson.
==1947==
The Belfast Eagles traveled to Glasgow to face the Mohawks.
*1/17: Glasgow Mohawks - Belfast Eagles 3:2 OT @ GlasgowBelfast News-Letter, 1947-01-18
There were plans to hold a return game in Belfast, but it never materialized.
==1949-50==
*12/16: Belfast Eagles - Balmoral Wasps 6:4 - goals: M'Keown (2), S. Hamilton, D. Norwood (2), A. Bradshaw/G. Neill (2), D. Walker, P. Wright - this was the first game played in Belfast since 1940Belfast News-Letter, 1949-12-17
*2/10: Balmoral Wasps - Belfast Eagles 5:4 - goals: Neil, Johnson, Walker (2)/Mahood, M'Eweon (2), ParsonBelfast News-Letter, 1950-02-11
*2/17: Harlandic Wolves - Belfast Eagles 7:1 - goals: G. Neill (2), D. Gardner (2), J. Thompson (2), A. Baird/J. BlackBelfast News-Letter, 1950-02-18
*2/24: Probables - Possibles 4:3 - trial game for upcoming match against LiverpoolBelfast News-Letter, 1950-02-25
*3/4: Liverpool Leopards - Belfast 5:2Belfast News-Letter, 1950-03-06
*3/11: Balmoral Wasps - Belfast Eagles 11:5 - goals: G. Neil (4), D. Gardiner (3), J. O'Sullivan (2), G. Simpson, J. Thompson/D. Black (2), S. Hamilton, R. M'Colgan, A. BairdBelfast News-Letter, 1950-03-13
*3/17: Belfast Juniors - Balmoral Cubs 3:3Belfast News-Letter, 1950-03-18
*4/1: Glasgow Mohawks - Belfast 6:2 - goals: F. Jones (3), B. M'Kay, F. Jardine, S. Ferguson/J. Thompson, J. O'SullivanBelfast News-Letter, 1950-04-03
*4/8: Belfast - Blackpool 8:2 - goals: Gardner (3), Neill, Person, M'Keown, M'Kenzie, Simpson/Atkinson, ChapmanBelfast Telegraph, 1950-04-11
*4/14: Wolves - Wasps 7:6 - goals: G. Neill (2), D. Gardiner (2), R. Diplock, J. Keenan, J. Thompson/M'Kenzie (3), A. Brashaw (2), G. SimpsonBelfast News-Letter, 1950-04-15
The Harlandic Wolves won the Gaston Cup.
An Irish Ice Hockey Association was formed in mid-February. The officials were: Mr. John Pearson (president), Mr. S. Clarke (vice president), Mr. F.J. M'Kinlay (chairman), Mr. R. Diplock (hon. secretary and treasurer), G. Neill, W. Graham, and J. Thompson (committee).
==1950-51==
;Ulster Ice Hockey League
*11/10: Harlandic Wolves - Shorts Redwings 9:2Northern Whig, 1950-11-11
*11/14: Harlandic Wolves - North End Racers 6:2 - goals: D. Norwood (2), J. Seaton, K. Thompson, A. Baird, A. Foster/M. Polz (2)Belfast Telegraph, 1950-11-15
*11/17: Balmoral Wasps - Shorts Redwings 5:1 - goals: R. Perso, A. Brashaw (3), R. M'Colgan/B. M'KenzieBelfast News-Letter, 1950-11-18
*11/21: Shorts Redwings - North End Racers 12:3 - goals: G. Simpson (5), G. O'Sullivan (3), N. Major (2), J. Cleeland, T. Mahood/J. Roberts (2), M. PolzBelfast News-Letter, 1950-11-22
*11/28: Shorts Redwings - Harlandic Wolves 4:1 - goals: Major, M'Kenzie (2), J. O'Sullivan/A. BairdBelfast News-Letter, 1950-11-29
*12/1: Balmoral Wasps - Harlandic Wolves 7:2 - goals: R. Person (3), R. M'Colgin (2), D. Green, A. Bradshaw/G. Neill (2)Belfast News-Letter, 1950-12-02
*2/2: Short's Redwings - Balmoral Wasps 2:2 - goals: R. M'Cutcheon, B. M'Kenzie/R. M'Colgan, R. PersonNorthern Whig, 1951-02-03
*2/16: Balmoral Wasps - Harlandic Wolves 2:1 - Donohue, Brashaw/FosterBelfast News-Letter, 1951-02-17
 	Club 	GP	W	T	L	GF	GA	Pts
1.	Balmoral Wasps 	5 	4	1	0	22	10	9
2.	Harlandic Wolves	6 	3	0	3	38	20	6
3.	Shorts Redwings 	5 	2	1	2	21	20	5
4.	North End Racers	4 	0	0	4	12	41	0
;Gaston Cup
Semifinals
*3/3: Balmoral Wasps - Harlandic Wolves 5:0 - goals: R. Person (3), A. Brashaw, S. HamiltonBelfast Telegraph, 1951-03-05
*Shorts Redwings - North End Racers 7:1
*Shorts Redwings - North End Racers 6:1
*3/24: Balmoral Wasps - Harlandic Wolves 3:1
Final
*4/7: Balmoral Wasps - Shorts Redwings 3:1 - goals: A. Brashaw, S. Hamilton, R. M'Colgan/R. M'KenzieBelfast Telegraph, 1951-04-09
;Other games
*10/31: North End Racers - Shorts Redwings 9:8Belfast Telegraph, 1950-11-01
*11/25: Liverpool Leopards - Belfast Eagles 11:5 @ LiverpoolBelfast News-Letter, 1950-11-27
*12/9: Streatham Royals - Belfast Eagles 6:1Belfast News-Letter, 1950-12-11
*2/10: Belfast - Liverpool
*2/23: Harlandic Wolves - Belfast Selected 3:2Belfast News-Letter, 1951-02-24
*3/17: Belfast Eagles - Richmond Wybees 3:3Belfast Telegraph, 1951-03-19
*5/12: Liverpool Leopards - Balmoral Wasps 13:1 @ LiverpoolBelfast News-Letter, 1951-05-14
==1951-52==
*11/10: Ulster Monarchs - Sudbury Maple Leafs 6:1Belfast Telegraph, 1951-11-12
*12/8: Ulster Monarchs - Glasgow Mohawks
*2/16: Ulster Monarchs - Richmond Wybees
*2/29: Balmoral Wasps - North End Racers 3:1 - goals: Lehane, Donahy, Bradshaw/CoxBelfast Telegraph, 1952-03-01
*3/8: Liverpool Leopards - Ulster Monarchs 10:0Belfast Telegraph, 1952-04-04
*3/11: Balmoral Wasps - Harlandic Wolves 2:2 - goals: Donaghy, Doak/Neill (2)Belfast Telegraph, 1952-03-12
*3/25: Balmoral Wasps - Shorts Redwings 3:1Belfast Telegraph, 1952-03-26
*4/5: Ulster Monarchs - Liverpool Leopards 3:3Liverpool Echo, 1952-04-07
*4/12: Shorts Redwings - Balmoral Wasps - Gaston Cup final
The Shorts Redwings won the Gaston Cup.
==1952-53==
;Ulster Ice Hockey League
 	Club 	GP	W	T	L	GF	GA	Pts
1.	Harlandic Wolves	3 	3	0	0	3 	0 	6
2.	Shorts Redwings 	3 	1	1	1	3 	3 	3
3.	Balmoral Wasps 	3 	1	0	2	1 	2 	2
4.	North End Racers	3 	0	1	2	2 	4 	1
;Gaston Cup
*Shorts Redwings - Harlandic Wolves
==1953-54==
*11/6: Harlandic Wolves - North End Racers 5:2Belfast Telegraph, 1953-11-12
*11/13: Harlandic Wolves - Shorts Redwings 6:5Belfast Telegraph, 1953-12-10
*12/4: Shorts Redwings - North End Racers 5:1
*12/11: Harlandic Wolves - Shorts Redwings 5:3 - goals: T. Doak, A. Baird (2), G. Chouinard, G. Neill/G. Simpson (2), T. MahoodNorthern Whig, 1953-12-12
Harlandic Wolves won the Ulster League Championship.
*12/18: Harlandic Wolves - Rest of UlsterBelfast Telegraph, 1953-12-23
*1/15: Shorts Redwings - Harlandic Wolves 2:1Belfast Telegraph, 1954-01-28
*1/22: Harlandic Wolves - North End Racers 3:2 - Gaston CupBelfast Telegraph, 1954-01-23
*1/29: North End Racers - Shorts RedwingsBelfast Telegraph, 1954-02-04
*2/5: Harlandic Wolves - North End Racers 4:2 - Stanley Charity Cup, presented by V.E.E.W.O organizationBelfast News-Letter, 1954-02-06
*3/10: North End Racers - Harlandic Wolves 5:3 - Stanley Charity CupBelfast News-Letter, 1954-03-11
*3/12: North End Racers - Shorts Redwings - Stanley Charity Cup final
*3/20: Glasgow Mohawks - Ulster Monarchs 7:3Belfast News-Letter, 1954-03-26
*3/26: Glasgow Mohawks - Ulster Monarchs 10:3 @ GlasgowBelfast News-Letter, 1954-03-27
*4/2: Harlandic Wolves - Shorts Redwings 5:1 - Gaston Cup final
;Stanley Charity Cup Standings
 	Club 	GP	W	T	L	GF	GA	Pts
1.	Harlandic Wolves	2 	1	0	1	10	3 	2
2.	Shorts Redwings 	2 	1	0	1	6 	11	2
3.	North End Racers	2 	1	0	1	2 	4 	2
Replay
 	Club 	GP	W	T	L	GF	GA	Pts
1.	Shorts Redwings 	1 	1	0	0	6 	5 	2
2.	North End Racers	1 	1	0	0	5 	3 	2
3.	Harlandic Wolves	2 	0	0	2	8 	11	0
;Gaston Cup Standings
 	Club 	GP	W	T	L	GF	GA	Pts
1.	Harlandic Wolves	2 	1	0	1	4 	4 	2
2.	Shorts Redwings 	2 	1	0	1	2 	2 	2
3.	North End Racers	2 	1	0	1	3 	3 	2
Prior to the 4/2 game, the Wolves had a record of 7-4 on the season, with 44 goals for and 35 against. The Redwings had a record of 6-3, with 40 goals for and 24 against.Belfast Telegraph, 1954-04-01
==Images==
1939-12-16 Redwings-Marlboroughs.png|Earl's Court Redwings and Marlboroughs in action on December 16, 1939.
1947 Belfast Eagles.png|The 1947 Belfast Eagles.
==References==
Category:History