1917–18 Ottawa Senators season

National Hockey League team season March 2026 NHL 1917–18 1917 Ottawa Senators (original)Ottawa Senators 5–9–0 (1st half)4–4–0 (2nd half) 6–4–0 3–9–0 103 114 Tommy Gorman Eddie Gerard,Harry Hyland Jack Darragh The Arena Cy Denneny (36) Cy Denneny (36) Cy Denneny (34) Clint Benedict (9) Clint Benedict (5.12) 1916–17 1918–19 The 1917–18 Ottawa Senators season was the team's first season in the newly formed National Hockey League (NHL) and 33rd season of play overall. The Senators, along with the Montreal and Quebec franchises of the National Hockey Association (NHA), voted to suspend the NHA and form the NHL. Ottawa finished second and third in the first and second halves of the season respectively, and did not qualify for the playoffs. Regular season Frank Nighbor was in the Air Corps and did not rejoin the team until later in the season. Horace Merrill quit ice hockey prior to the season, but would eventually play in a few games for the team. Rusty Crawford played for the Senators until Nighbor returned. The Senators began their membership in the new NHL with a 7–4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at The Arena in Ottawa on December 19, 1917. The game began with team regulars Jack Darragh and Hamby Shore holding out in a contract dispute. This would be resolved in time for the second period. By then, the Canadiens had a 3–0 lead and the Senators could not make up the difference. Joe Malone of the Canadiens scored five goals in the win.Toronto World December 20, 1917 8 The Canadiens Won Easily at Ottawa https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i5oFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lSkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5647%2C215045 The team recorded their first NHL win a week later on the December 26 on the road against the Montreal Wanderers. The Senators then recorded their first ever NHL home win three days later against the same Wanderers. The Wanderers withdrew from the league six games into the season due to a fire burning down their arena, so that left the NHL with three teams, the Senators, Canadiens and the Torontos. Ottawa picked up Dave Ritchie and Harry Hyland in the dispersal of players. Hyland became Ottawa's playing coach. Ottawa finished third in the first half, and second in the second half to miss out on the playoffs. Cy Denneny led the team in scoring with 36 goals, behind only Joe Malone of the Canadiens in league scoring. Goaltender Clint Benedict won all nine games for the team, and posted a 5.12 GAA. December December 19 – The Senators opened their inaugural season of the National Hockey League on home ice, hosting the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens scored three goals in the first 11 minutes of the game, with Joe Malone scoring two of them. Ottawa finally scored 4:30 into the second period, as Eddie Gerard scored the first goal for the club in the NHL. Montreal stormed back with two goals by Malone, taking a 5–1 lead, however, the Senators Cy Denneny scored twice before the end of the period to cut the Canadiens lead to 5–3. In the third period, Malone scored 6:00 into the period, his fifth goal of the game, followed by a late goal by Didier Pitre, giving Montreal a 7–3 lead. Denneny scored his third goal of the game with two minute remaining, making the final score 7–4 for Montreal.Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 19, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712190OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 December 21 – Ottawa played their first ever road game, as they faced the Toronto Arenas at Arena Gardens in Toronto. Rusty Crawford opened the scoring for Ottawa just one minute into the game, with his first goal of the season, however, the Arenas stormed back and took a 5–1 lead after the first period. Cy Denneny recorded his second consecutive hat trick, however, the Arenas defeated the Senators 11–4.Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: December 21, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712220TRA.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 December 26 – The Senators travelled to Montreal for their first ever meeting against the Montreal Wanderers at Montreal Arena. The Senators took a 2–0 lead after the first period with goals by Cy Denneny and Hamby Shore. Ottawa took a 5–0 lead midway through the game as Denneny scored his second of the game, while Jack Darragh and Georges Boucher scored their first goals of the season. The Senators won the game 6–3 as Frank Nighbor led the way with a goal and two assists. Clint Benedict earned the first victory in Senators history.Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Wanderers Box Score: December 26, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712260MTW.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 December 29 – The Senators returned home for a meeting against the Montreal Wanderers. Cy Denneny led the scoring with four goals and an assist, while Georges Boucher scored twice and earned an assist in a 9–2 victory.Montreal Wanderers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 29, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712290OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 Ottawa finished December with a 2–2–0 record, earning four points. The Senators sat in a tie for second place in the NHL with the Toronto Arenas, two points behind the first place Montreal Canadiens. January January 2 – The Senators hosted the Toronto Arenas at home. Eddie Gerard scored three goals and added an assist, however, the Senators lost to Toronto 6–5, dropping their record to 2–3–0.Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 2, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801020OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 5 - Ottawa travelled to Montreal for their first ever road meeting against the Montreal Canadiens at Jubilee Arena. Cy Denneny scored two goals and added an assist as Ottawa took a 5–4 lead into the third period. The Canadiens tied it up at five with a third period goal by Joe Malone, sending the game into overtime. Malone scored in the extra period, as Montreal defeated the Senators 6–5.Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 5, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801050MTL.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 12 - After a week with no games scheduled, the Senators returned to Jubilee Arena in Montreal to face the Montreal Canadiens for their second straight game. Four different Senators scored goals, however, the Canadiens, led by Joe Malone with his five goals and two assists, defeated Ottawa 9–4, extending the Senators losing streak to three games.Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 12, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801120MTL.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 14 - The Senators faced the Toronto Arenas on home ice. Jack Darragh led the way with three goals and five points, while Cy Denneny scored three goals, as Ottawa defeated the Arenas 9–6 to end their three-game losing streak.Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 14, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801140OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 16 - Ottawa travelled to Toronto to face the Arenas in the back end of a home-and-home series. The Arenas defeated the Senators 5–4 despite a third period surge in which the Senators nearly fought back from a 5–2 deficit.Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: January 16, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801160TRA.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 21 - The Sens returned home to face the Montreal Canadiens. Harry Hyland scored a goal and added an assist for Ottawa, however, Joe Hall scored three times for Montreal as the Canadiens defeated the Senators 5–3, dropping the Senators record to 3–7–0.Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 21, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801210OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 23 - Ottawa travelled to Montreal for the second game of a home and home series against the Montreal Canadiens. Ottawa took a 3–1 lead into the third period, however, the Canadiens scored twice to tie the game midway through the period. Harry Hyland, with his third goal of the game, restored the lead for Ottawa at 10:25 of the third, as the Senators hung on for a 4–3 victory.Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 23, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801230MTL.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 26 - Ottawa was back on home ice to face the Toronto Arenas. Ottawa stormed out to a 6–0 lead late into the third period before the Arenas scored three goals in the final four minutes, as the Senators won the game 6–3. Eddie Gerard scored two goals and added an assist, Jack Darragh scored twice and Cy Denneny had a goal and two assists in the victory.Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 26, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801260OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 January 30 - The Senators two game winning streak is snapped on home ice, as the Montreal Canadiens defeat Ottawa 5–2. Joe Malone scored four goals for the Canadiens.Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 30, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801300OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 The Sens finished January with a disappointing 3–6–0 record. The club slipped into last place in the NHL with a 5–8–0 record, earning 10 points. Ottawa was four points behind the Toronto Arenas for second place, and ten points behind the league leading Montreal Canadiens. February/March February 4 - The Senators first game of February was officially their final game of the first half of the season. The Senators travelled to Toronto and dropped the game by a score of 8–2, finishing the first half of the season with a 5–9–0 record, which placed them in last in the NHL and failing to earn a berth for the NHL finals.Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: February 4, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802040TRA.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 February 6 - Ottawa opened the second half of the season on home ice against the Montreal Canadiens. Cy Denneny led the way for the Senators, scoring three goals and an assist, while Frank Nighbor scored a goal and an assist in a 6–3 win over Montreal.Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 6, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802060OTS.html Hockey-Reference 10 December 2022 February 11 - The Senators travelled to Toronto for the second time in a week as they faced the Toronto Arenas for the first time in the second half of the season. Despite strong goaltending by Clint Benedict, the Senators dropped a 3–1 decision to the Arenas. Hamby Shore scored the lone goal for Ottawa.Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: February 11, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802110TRA.html Hockey-Reference 11 December 2022 February 13 - The Senators matched up against the Toronto Arenas on home ice for the second game of a home-and-home series. Ottawa was overmatched in a 6–1 loss to the Arenas as Frank Nighbor scored the only Senators goal. The loss dropped Ottawa to 1–2–0 in the second half of the season.Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 13, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802130OTS.html Hockey-Reference 11 December 2022 February 16 - Ottawa travelled to Montreal for a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. The Senators struggled once again, as the Canadiens coasted to a 10–4 win over Ottawa. Cy Denneny scored twice in the losing effort.Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 16, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802160MTL.html Hockey-Reference 11 December 2022 February 23 - After a week with no games, the Senators were back on the road, heading to Toronto to face the Toronto Arenas and hoping to snap their three-game losing streak. Toronto, led by three goals and three assists by Reg Noble, easily defeated the Senators 9–3, extending the Senators losing skid to four games and dropping Ottawa to a 1–4–0 record in the second half of the season.Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: February 23, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802230TRA.html Hockey-Reference 11 December 2022 February 25 - The Senators faced the Montreal Canadiens on home ice. Cy Denneny scored three goals, while Frank Nighbor scored a goal and four assists for a five-point game to lead the Senators scoring. Clint Benedict stopped every shot he faced, recording the first ever shutout in Senators history, as Ottawa defeated Montreal 8–0, snapping their four-game losing streak.Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 25, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802250OTS.html Hockey-Reference 11 December 2022 February 27 - Ottawa travelled to Montreal for a road game against the Montreal Canadiens. The game was played at Quebec Arena in Quebec City. Frank Nighbor scored twice and added an assist, while Clint Benedict surrendered only one goal, as the Senators defeated the Canadiens 3–1.Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 27, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802270MTL.html Hockey-Reference 11 December 2022 March 6 - The Senators closed out their inaugural NHL season with a home matchup against the Toronto Arenas. Frank Nighbor scored four goals, while Cy Denneny scored three goals and two assists, as Ottawa defeated the Arenas 9–3. The win extended the Senators winning streak to three games.Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 6, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191803060OTS.html Hockey-Reference 11 December 2022 Ottawa finished the second half of the season with a 4–4–0 record, earning eight points. This placed the Senators in second place in the three team NHL, two points behind the first place Toronto Arenas. As Ottawa did not have the best record in the NHL in either the first or second half of the season, the team did not qualify for the NHL championship. Final standings First half standings OTT Second half standings OTT Record vs. opponents OTT Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 5px solid; 1917–18 regular season1917-18 Ottawa Senators Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/OTS/1918_games.html Hockey-Reference.com April 8, 2025 y background:#fff; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid; First half: 5–9–0 (home: 3–4–0; road: 2–5–0) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Arena Record Pts Recap |- | 1 || December 19 || Canadiens || 7–4 || Ottawa || || Benedict || "Nearly 6,000"Champion Canadiens Won Opening Game From Ottawa in National Hockey League December 20, 1917 8 Ottawa Citizen https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-citizen/80021360/ June 22, 2025 || The Arena || 0–1–0 || 0 || Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 19, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712190OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 2 || December 21 || Ottawa || 4–11 || Toronto || || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 0–2–0 || 0 || Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: December 21, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712210TRA.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 3 || December 26 || Ottawa || 6–3 || Wanderers || || Benedict || N/A || Montreal Arena || 1–2–0 || 2 || Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Wandereres Box Score: December 26, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712260MTW.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 4 || December 29 || Wanderers || 2–9 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 2–2–0 || 4 || Montreal Wanderers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 29, 1917 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191712290OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 5 || January 2 || Toronto || 6–5 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 2–3–0 || 4 || Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 2, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801020OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 6 || January 5 || Ottawa || 5–6 || Canadiens || OT || Benedict || N/A || Jubilee Arena || 2–4–0 || 4 || Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 5, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801050MTL.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 7 || January 12 || Ottawa || 4–9 || Canadiens || || Benedict || N/A || Jubilee Arena || 2–5–0 || 4 || Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 12, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801120MTL.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 8 || January 14 || Toronto || 6–9 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 3–5–0 || 6 || Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 14, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801140OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 9 || January 16 || Ottawa || 4–5 || Toronto || || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 3–6–0 || 6 || Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: January 16, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801160TRA.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 10 || January 21 || Canadiens || 5–3 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 3–7–0 || 6 || Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 21, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801210OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 11 || January 23 || Ottawa || 4–3 || Canadiens || || Benedict || N/A || Jubilee Arena || 4–7–0 || 8 || Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 23, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801230MTL.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 12 || January 26 || Toronto || 3–6 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 5–7–0 || 10 || Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 26, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801260OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 13 || January 30 || Canadiens || 5–2 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 5–8–0 || 10 || Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 30, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191801300OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 14 || February 4 || Ottawa || 2–8 || Toronto || || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 5–9–0 || 10 || Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: February 4, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802040TRA.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid; Second half: 4–4–0 (home: 3–1–0; road: 1–3–0) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Arena Record Pts Recap |- | 15 || February 6 || Canadiens || 3–6 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 1–0–0 || 2 || Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 6, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802060OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 16 || February 11 || Ottawa || 1–3 || Toronto || || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 1–1–0 || 2 || Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: February 11, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802110TRA.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 17 || February 13 || Toronto || 6–1 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 1–2–0 || 2 || Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 13, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802130OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 18 || February 16 || Ottawa || 4–10 || Canadiens || || Benedict || N/A || Jubilee Arena || 1–3–0 || 2 || Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 16, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802160MTL.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 19 || February 23 || Ottawa || 4–9 || Toronto || || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 1–4–0 || 2 || Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Arenas Box Score: February 23, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802230TRA.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 20 || February 25 || Canadiens || 0–8 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 2–4–0 || 4 || Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 25, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802250OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 21 || February 27 || Ottawa || 3–1 || Canadiens || || Benedict || N/A || Quebec Arena || 3–4–0 || 6 || Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 27, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191802270MTL.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- | 22 || March 6 || Toronto || 3–9 || Ottawa || || Benedict || N/A || The Arena || 4–4–0 || 8 || Toronto Arenas vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 6, 1918 https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/191803060OTS.html www.hockey-reference.com 27 April 2023 |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black Player statistics Scoring Player GP G A Pts PIMCy Denneny 22 36 0 36 34Jack Darragh 18 14 0 14 3Eddie Gerard 21 13 0 13 12Frank Nighbor 9 11 0 11 3Buck Boucher 22 9 0 9 27Harry Hyland 12 8 0 8 3Dave Ritchie 13 5 0 5 9Hamby Shore 18 3 0 3 0Eddie Lowrey 11 2 0 2 3Rusty Crawford 11 1 0 1 9Sammy Hebert 1 0 0 0 0Horace Merrill 4 0 0 0 0Morley Bruce 7 0 0 0 0Clint Benedict 22 0 0 0 0 Source: hockeydb.comhttp://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0053751918.html 1917–18 Ottawa Senators hockeydb.com June 26, 2011 Goaltending Player GP Min W L T GA SO GAASammy Hebert 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0.00Clint Benedict 22 1337 9 13 0 114 1 5.12 Transactions The Senators were involved in the following transactions during the 1917–18 season. Dispersal Draft November 28, 1917From Quebec BulldogsRusty Crawford January 4, 1918From Montreal WanderersSprague Cleghorn January 4, 1918From Montreal WanderersHarry Hyland January 4, 1918From Montreal WanderersDave Ritchie Free agents December 7, 1917From Ottawa Munitions (OCHL)Morley Bruce See also 1917–18 NHL season References National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 Works cited Holzman Morey Joseph Nieforth Deceptions and Doublecross: How the NHL Conquered Hockey Toronto, ON Dundurn Press 2002 Holzman 2002 External links SHRP Sports The Internet Hockey Database Category:Ottawa Senators (original) seasons Ottawa Ottawa Category:1910s in Ottawa