PHL: 1959-60

The final season of the 1950s began with two new additions to the league in the Ottawa Beavers and the Nova Scotia Claymores. While the Claymores had a predictably tough first year, finishing last place with a 13-40-7 record, the Beavers had a surprisingly big first year, finishing in third place in the Canadian Division and earning a playoff spot on a strong effort from goaltender Jeff Hood. The Toronto Racers once again had a spectacular year, losing only 8 games with rookie Bobby Kitchen scoring 44 goals and Mark Benson scored 50 goals for the second time in his career. The Philadelphia Redshirts, with a strong effort from rookie Frank McDermit and a Whyte trophy winning season from goaltender David Zimmer, ran away with first place in the American division. In New York, Skippy Cleveland, at just 36 years old, became the second player to reach the 4-decade club. The season was a disaster for the Civics, however, as they fell to fifth place in the American Division, missing the playoffs.

The playoffs began with a classic battle between two bitter rivals as the Philadelphia Redshirts took out the Chicago Shamrocks in 7 games. The series was highlighted by consecutive bench-clearing brawls in games 4 and 5, before the league warned both teams that they would be fined if the violence continued. Both teams managed to settle down in time for games 6 and 7. Ottawa continuedto shock everybody by winning the first two games in Quebec, before the Nationale won the next four straight to take the series. It was the battle of Quebec in the Canadian Division finals after Montreal pulled off a stunning upset over Toronto, Quebec won a physical, fight-filled series in 6 to move on to the Lewis Cup Finals. In the American Division, the defending champion Bulldogs never stood a chance against the surging Redshirts, who won the series in 6 games to face Quebec for the Cup. Philadelphia was heavily favoured to win the series against Quebec after their big year, but one win was all they could muster as the Nationale won the series, and their first Lewis Cup, in five games.