Horace Merrill quit ice hockey prior to the season, but would eventually play in a few games for the team.
The game began with team regulars Jack Darragh and Hamby Shore holding out in a contract dispute.
The Wanderers withdrew from the league six games into the season due to a fire burning down their arena, so that left the NHL with three teams, the Senators, Canadiens and the Torontos.
"The league did not accept the Wanderers' resignation immediately, electing to wait and see whether the team showed up for its scheduled match in Toronto on Saturday January 5.
The deadline did expire, and the once-powerful team that had been known as the Little Men of Iron was thrown onto the scrap heap of hockey history.
The Wanderers' scheduled games of January 2 and 5 were officially recorded in the standings as victories for their respective opponents, the Canadiens and Torontos."