1947–48 Brown Bears men's ice hockey season

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1947–48 Brown Bears
men's ice hockey season
ConferenceIndependent
Record
Overall5–9–0
Home2–4–0
Road2–5–0
Neutral1–0–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachWestcott Moulton
Captain(s)none
Brown Bears men's ice hockey seasons
« 1938–39 1948–49 »

The 1947–48 Brown Bears men's ice hockey season was the 23rd season of play for the program but first under the oversight of the NCAA. The Bears represented Brown University and were coached by Westcott Moulton, in his 1st season.

Season[edit]

After a 9-year absence, Brown returned to the ice with Westcott Moulton (class of 1931) now helming the program. The Bears were predictably having to contend with a lack of experienced players but, with the Rhode Island Auditorium still at their disposal, Brown could still get practice time regardless of the weather conditions. The first game for the Bruins came against Harvard who, though no longer the preeminent power, were still a tough team to beat. The Bears showed up well and kept the contest close, ending regulation with a 5–5 tie. The 10-minute overtime, however, demonstrated just how far the Brunos still had to go. Harvard was able to score 5 additional goals in the extra session which were mostly attributed to Brown's lack of depth.[1] The team performed nearly as well in their second game when they rallied from a 2–5 deficit in the third to end just 1 goal shy of a tie.[2] The same trend continued in Brown's third game when the Bears kept the game close only to see Princeton pull away late.[3]

Brown didn't play against until after returning from the winter break. In the interim, Moulton was able to put together a third line with new addition Rod Scheffer teaming with Henry Healy and Charlie Bryant while Warren Howard took over as the starter in goal. Unfortunately, they were met at home by one of the top teams in the nation. Boston University had little sympathy for the returning Bears and throttled Brown 2–13. Near the end of the game the Bruins, unable to match the offensive punch of the Terriers, fought back in the only way they could when Ned Dewey got into a fight with Don Cleary.[4] While it had no impact on the outcome of the game, the scuffle buoyed the team for their match with Colby. The inspired Bears tore through the Mules and posted their first win on the season in dominating fashion.[5]

There was renewed hope after the victory and Brown was looking for revenge against Harvard. Unfortunately, just like the BU game, very little went right for the Bears. The Crimson squad eviscerated Brown to the tune of 3–17, posting the most goals scored against the Brunos in program history (still a record as of 2022). The only consolation in the game was that star center Fred Nelson was able to keep his scoring streak alive.[6]

Unbowed by the severe defeat, Brown played well in the next game against Fort Devens State. While the score was close, it was only through the efforts of Chiefs' netminder Hal Downes. Brown was obviously the better team throughout the game and were able to post their second win of the season.[7] After an unfortunate but predictable loss to the best team in the country, Dartmouth, Brown headed to West Point for their final game before the semester break. Leading up to the game the Bears were unable to practice due to the Ice Capades being at the Auditorium. That and the fact that it was the third road game that week made the Bears sluggish and unable to counter a fairly strong Cadet team. Brown entered the examination period with a disappointing 2–6 mark but had played far better than their record indicated.

The Bruins went down the home stretch of their season with three games in four days after the break. Joining the team were newcomers George Menard, Dan Rawson and Jim Ferry. After a strong win over MIT, the Bruins stunned Yale with an 8–7 win. The winning streak was ended by Cal goaltender Ian Watson who stymied the Bears for much of the match.[8] Menard proved himself to be a great addition to the team when he played the entire game against New Hampshire and scored the Bears' final two goals in the match.[9] The Bears ended the season with a narrow defeat to MIT, however, despite the poor record the year was seen as a success; Brown had won several games and even in some of their losses they did not look out of place with some of the college hockey regulars.

Roster[edit]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team
Connecticut George E. Ball Junior F Hamden, Connecticut
Rhode Island Charles W. Bryant Senior D Providence, Rhode Island
Connecticut Lawrence G. Copeland Sophomore F 1928-06-06 New Haven, Connecticut
Massachusetts Charles R. D'Ewart Junior D Worcester, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Robert H. Davidson Junior F Dedham, Massachusetts
Minnesota Charles D. De Laittre Sophomore G 1928-10-03 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Connecticut Edward Dewey Jr. Sophomore D 1927-12-26 Hartford, Connecticut
James Ferry Sophomore F
Henry M. Healy Sophomore F
Rhode Island Warren R. Howard Sophomore G 1926-03-19 Johnston, Rhode Island
New York (state) John F. Kimball Jr. Sophomore 1928-03-16 New York, New York
Rhode Island George F. Menard Sophomore D 1927-09-03 Burrillville, Rhode Island
Frederick Nelson Junior F
Massachusetts Joseph W. Pridmore III Junior D Lynnfield Center, Massachusetts
Rhode Island Donald R. Rawson Sophomore F 1927-10-14 Burrillville, Rhode Island
Robert J. Rinfret Freshman D 1925-12-12
New York (state) Rodman C. Scheffer Sophomore F 1928-04-01 New York, New York
New York (state) Robert P. Shaughnessy Junior Brooklyn, New York
Lawrence Shepard Junior F
Connecticut William F. Smith Sophomore F 1924-04-21 New Haven, Connecticut
Massachusetts Frank A. Sternberg Sophomore 1927-03-04 Springfield, Massachusetts
Rhode Island Edward A. Vincent Junior F 1919-05-07 Slatersville, Rhode Island
Massachusetts Walter F. Walworth Jr. Senior F Arlington, Massachusetts

Note: John Kimball, Robert Shaughnessy and Frank Sternberg are listed as being members of the team but do not appear to have played in any of the games. [10]

Standings[edit]

1947–48 NCAA Independent ice hockey standings
Intercollegiate Overall
GP W L T Pct. GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Army 16 11 4 1 .719 78 39 16 11 4 1 78 39
Bemidji State 5 0 5 0 .000 13 36 10 2 8 0 37 63
Boston College 19 14 5 0 .737 126 60 19 14 5 0 126 60
Boston University 24 20 4 0 .833 179 86 24 20 4 0 179 86
Bowdoin 9 4 5 0 .444 45 68 11 6 5 0 56 73
Brown 14 5 9 0 .357 61 91 14 5 9 0 61 91
California 10 2 8 0 .200 45 62 17 5 12 0 87 89
Clarkson 12 5 6 1 .458 67 39 17 10 6 1 96 54
Colby 8 2 6 0 .250 28 41 8 2 6 0 28 41
Colgate 10 7 3 0 .700 54 34 13 10 3 0 83 45
Colorado College 14 9 5 0 .643 84 73 27 19 8 0 207 120
Cornell 4 0 4 0 .000 3 43 4 0 4 0 3 43
Dartmouth 23 21 2 0 .913 156 76 24 21 3 0 156 81
Fort Devens State 13 3 10 0 .231 33 74 – – – – – –
Georgetown 3 2 1 0 .667 12 11 7 5 2 0 37 21
Hamilton – – – – – – – 14 7 7 0 – –
Harvard 22 9 13 0 .409 131 131 23 9 14 0 135 140
Lehigh 8 0 8 0 .000 8 95 10 0 10 0 12 108
Massachusetts 2 0 2 0 .000 1 23 3 0 3 0 3 30
Michigan 18 16 2 0 .889 105 53 23 20 2 1 141 63
Michigan Tech 19 7 12 0 .368 87 96 20 8 12 0 91 97
Middlebury 14 8 5 1 .607 111 68 16 10 5 1 127 74
Minnesota 16 9 7 0 .563 78 73 21 9 12 0 100 105
Minnesota–Duluth 6 3 3 0 .500 21 24 9 6 3 0 36 28
MIT 19 8 11 0 .421 93 114 19 8 11 0 93 114
New Hampshire 13 4 9 0 .308 58 67 13 4 9 0 58 67
North Dakota 10 6 4 0 .600 51 46 16 11 5 0 103 68
North Dakota Agricultural 5 3 2 0 .600 27 28 6 4 2 0 37 29
Northeastern 19 10 9 0 .526 135 119 19 10 9 0 135 119
Norwich 9 3 6 0 .333 38 58 13 6 7 0 56 70
Princeton 18 8 10 0 .444 65 72 21 10 11 0 79 79
St. Cloud State 12 10 2 0 .833 55 35 16 12 4 0 73 55
St. Lawrence 9 6 3 0 .667 65 27 13 8 4 1 95 50
Suffolk – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Tufts 4 3 1 0 .750 17 15 4 3 1 0 17 15
Union 9 1 8 0 .111 7 86 9 1 8 0 7 86
Williams 11 3 6 2 .364 37 47 13 4 7 2 – –
Yale 16 5 10 1 .344 60 69 20 8 11 1 89 85

Schedule and results[edit]

Date Opponent Site Result Record
Regular Season
December 4 Harvard* Rhode Island Auditorium • Providence, Rhode Island L 5–10 OT 0–1–0
December 10 at Yale* New Haven Arena • New Haven, Connecticut L 4–5  0–2–0
December 13 at Princeton* Hobey Baker Memorial Rink • Princeton, New Jersey L 4–7  0–3–0
January 8 Boston University* Rhode Island Auditorium • Providence, Rhode Island L 2–13  0–4–0
January 10 at Colby* South End Arena • Waterville, Maine W 7–0  1–4–0
January 14 at Harvard* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts L 3–17  1–5–0
January 19 vs. Fort Devens State* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 2–1  2–5–0
January 21 at Dartmouth* Davis Rink • Hanover, New Hampshire L 1–7  2–6–0
January 24 at Army* Smith Rink • West Point, New York L 2–3  2–7–0
February 11 at MIT* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 9–2  3–7–0
February 12 Yale* Rhode Island Auditorium • Providence, Rhode Island W 8–7  4–7–0
February 14 California* Rhode Island Auditorium • Providence, Rhode Island L 4–10  4–8–0
February 18 New Hampshire* Rhode Island Auditorium • Providence, Rhode Island W 4–2  5–8–0
February 25 MIT* Rhode Island Auditorium • Providence, Rhode Island L 6–7  5–9–0
*Non-conference game.

[11]

Scoring statistics[edit]

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
George Ball C - - - - -
Charlie Bryant LW/D - - - - -
Larry Copeland RW - - 10 - -
Chuck D'Ewart D - - - - -
Bobby Davidson LW - - - - -
Chuck De Laittre G - - - - -
Ned Dewey D - - - - -
Jim Ferry F - - - - -
Harry Healy RW - - - - -
Warren Howard G - - - - -
George Menard D - - - - -
Fred Nelson C - 11 10 21 -
Joe Pridmore D - - - - -
Don Rawson F - - - - -
Bob Rinfret D - - - - -
Rod Scheffer C - - - - -
Larry Shepard RW - - - - -
William Smith - - - - -
Eddie Vincent LW - - - - -
Wally Walworth RW - - - - -
Total

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bruin Hockeymen Drop Harvard Tilt In Overtime". The Brown Daily Herald. December 5, 1947. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Bruin's Late Drive Narrowly Misses Tie". The Brown Daily Herald. December 11, 1947. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Tigers Down Skaters 7-4". The Brown Daily Herald. December 15, 1947. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "B.U. Romps". The Brown Daily Herald. January 9, 1948. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Colby". The Brown Daily Herald. January 10, 1948. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Harvard Whips Brown Sextet". The Brown Daily Herald. January 15, 1948. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Bruins Outpoint Ft. Devens 2-1 in Boston Arena". The Brown Daily Herald. January 20, 1948. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "Bear Hockeymen Stopped by Cal". The Brown Daily Herald. February 16, 1948. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Brown Sextet Scored 4-2 Victory Over N. H." The Brown Daily Herald. February 19, 1948. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "1947-1948 Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  11. ^ "2009–10 Brown men's ice hockey media guide part 2" (PDF). Brown Bears. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
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