In contrast to the stiff, slow, “gentleman’s” sport of the White Hockey Leagues, the Colored Hockey League of the 1890s was fast, athletic, acrobatic and hard hitting. Viewed at the time by White society and the media as a “savage display,” the games played in the Colored Hockey League, set the foundation for the style of play of today’s NHL. The creativity and athleticism of this league introduced the SLAPSHOT, the BODYCHECK, the GOAL CELEBRATION, the HALFTIME SHOW, the SECOND INTERMISSION plus other innovations. The sport was so exciting and entertaining that attendance at Colored Hockey League Games often surpassed by double or triple the attendance at White Hockey Games.

Wouldn’t you know it, they eventually got a chance to play a game against the holders of Lord Stanley’s Cup and…