After claiming the state championship the previous year, coach Wiggin was hoping for an bigger profile for the ice hockey team.
Wiggin implored any among the student body with skating experience to show up to further practices but, due to a lack of ice before the winter break, all early-season training was done inside the campus gymnasium.
The amateur squad played a fast, physical game but the teamwork and passing employed by Bates helped them carry the day.
Due to the prowess of the Stanleys and Scott on the blueline, hardly any scoring opportunities made it to the Bates cage and whatever did get through was easily turned aside by Wyllie.
The ice on the Weston Field Rink was too soft so the teams decided to wait until the following day in the hopes of better conditions.
Not only was Army a well-disciplined team, but their ice surface was in poor condition, leaving Bates to battle two different opponents in the match.
The inspired play continued the next week when Bates dropped both Colby and Maine to all but guarantee themselves another state championship.
Even with poor lighting for the rink, Cogan scored the first goal for Bates and that was all the team needed for the victory.
[8] The victory left Bates with not only an undefeated season in intercollegiate play, but also allowed them to take home the Governor Baxter trophy as the state champions in ice hockey.