Creighton Cup Finals, Game 2

Game 2 shifted to the Millionaires' arena, where jubilant fans celebrated their team's stunning Game 1 victory on the road, as well as the return of convalescing center Harry Westwick. 

The first event of note from Game 2 was a questionable penalty to Millionaires captain Art Farrell. During the ensuing Thistles power play, Westwick snagged a pass and flipped the puck to Duke Keats -- the overtime hero of the wild-card game -- who skated in against Riley Hern on a breakaway and scored just the second playoff shorthanded goal in league history. The Thistles were unable to convert on the remainder of the power play, but seemed to find a bit of life later in the period when they killed off a penalty to Moose Johnson. Hern turned away several quality chances, and it appeared that he was starting to find a rhythm. That sentiment proved to be a bit premature, as Westwick set up speedy winger Frank Rankin for a goal, putting the home team up 2-0. 

Feeling the Creighton Cup slipping away from their grasp, the Thistles came out sharper in the second. Some strong work by Tommy Phillips and Alf Smith led to defenseman Hod Stuart's first career playoff tally. Later in the period, Dickie Boon fed Moose Goheen (yes, this team has two different guys nicknamed 'Moose') for the tying goal. The Thistles' rally was short-lived, thanks to the resurgent Rankin. Using Goheen as a screen, Rankin fired a shot from the top of the circle that Hern didn't see, and with his second score of the game, the period ended with the home team up 3-2. This goal also gave Westwick his third assist of the night.

In the third, Rankin had several more chances to complete the hat trick, but Hern delivered his best period of the series and did not allow any further damage. In the closing seconds, Dan Bain found Alf Smith for a cannon of a one-timer, but Lehman turned it aside as time expired to seal the one-goal win.

The Millionaires now have a commanding 2-0 lead in this best-of-five series. The Thistles now return home in search of answers and facing elimination. Millies fans, meanwhile, can start dreaming of which of their stars will earn the Playoff MVP trophy. Could it be Hugh Lehman (2.33, .924), Graham Drinkwater (3 G, 2 A, +4), or Frank Rankin (3 G, 2 A, +4)? Harry Westwick, Barney Stanley, and Duke Keats have all played key roles as well. The Millionaires certainly don't lack for candidates!