PHL: 1956-57

Season Summary:

The Toronto Racers continued their rebuild in the summer of 1956, recruiting 17-year old Mark Benson. Benson led the Ontario junior league with 53 goals and was predicted to be a future superstar. In his first season with the Racers, Benson became the second player in history to score 50 goals in a season. Despite Benson's efforts, the Racers fell to 4th place thanks in part to a late-season injury to David Stairs. In the American Division, the Civics continued their domination, losing only 6 games all season. just days after Mark Benson scored his 50th of the season, Skippy Cleveland became the 3rd player in PHL history to score 50 goals in a season. A new concept was introduced in February, the PHL All-Star Game. The Canadian Division All-Stars took on the American Division All-Stars in NewYork. The American Division took the game 6-4 with Dave Riley scoring a hat-trick.

As the playoffs began, Toronto dropped three straight to Buffalo before winning the next four to take the series. They continued their hot streak in the Canadian Division finals, sweeping Quebec to reach the Lewis Cup final for the first time since 1942. In the American Division, the Boston Bulldogs gave New York all the could handle before the Civics won game 7 in overtime thanks to a goal by defenseman Red O'Ryan. the Civics would face the Detroit Mustangs in the American Division final. The Mustangs had pulled off an upset of their own, taking down the Chicago Shamrocks in five games. Detroit would also take the Civics to a full seven games before running out of gas in game 7 as New York won in a 8-0 blowout. In the finals, the Racers managed to skate with the Civics for all seven games before Skippy Cleveland and Bearnie Bassen each scored two in game seven to give the Civics a 2-0 win and their second straight Lewis Cup.

Logo & Uniform Changes:

The Toronto Racers update their uniforms, adding navy blue to their colour scheme.
The league holds it's first-ever annual All-Star Game, between the Canadian Division All-Stars and the American Division All-Stars.

Standings:

Canadian Division