Ottawa and Montreal Victorias tied for the league championship with records of six wins and two losses.
Ottawa defeated the Victorias in a two-game playoff to win the season and their first Stanley Cup championship, the first of "Silver Seven" era.
This season saw several impressive rookies including Frank McGee and Art Moore for Ottawa.
The season ended in a tie, which necessitated a playoff, won by Ottawa to win their first Stanley Cup.
Another Montreal HC vs. Winnipeg Victorias best-of-three challenge series was held in early 1903.
As the new CAHL and Cup champions, the Ottawas accepted a challenge from the Rat Portage Thistles of the Manitoba & Northwestern Hockey Association (MNWHA).