We’re Going On A Boat…To Europe!
On April 11th, 1938, the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and a plethora of NHL executives boarded the RMS Ausonia in Halifax, Nova Scotia en route to Liverpool, England. A gruelling 9-day expedition awaited them that would end in Europe where they would play a series of exhibition games in England and France.
On April 22nd, in Earl’s Court, a suburb of London, the Canadiens and Red Wings would face off in front of 8,500 in an all out spectacle of entertainment. The Habs would win this one 5-4.
The second game would be played in famous Brighton neighbourhood, before setting said across the English Channel onto Paris, France where the teams would face off at the Palais Des Sports for three games.
The Canadiens would win 2 of the three matchups in France. Game one saw a spectacular comeback by the Canadiens when they were trailing 8-5 with 10 minutes left to the game, only to win it 10-8.
After a short break, both teams would return to England where they would win a pair of games each.
The trip was a resounding success. Both French and English fans loved the spectacle and would cheer at every chance. Canadiens goaltender Wilf Cude, a native of Barry, Wales was received as a conquering hero in England. English fans would resort to cheering “Go Canada Go” in favour of the Canadiens.