Each team played eight games, and Montreal Victorias were first with a 7–1 record.
Their regular season team goal total was nearly double that of Ottawa.
After the season, Montreal and Shamrocks played an exhibition series of games in the United States:[1][2] The Montreal Victorias travelled to New York City for an exhibition against the New York Athletic Club.
[3] The first successful challenge to the Cup came in February 1896 by the Winnipeg Victorias, the champions of the Manitoba Hockey Association (MHA).
On February 14, Winnipeg beat defending champion Montreal Victorias, 2–0, becoming the first team outside the AHAC to win the Cup.