. . . if the player who received the first RMC penalty was in this class (or, presumably, any other of his history classes), that player would automatically pass his history course.

RMC had a strong team in 1955 with many veterans from the previous year and several good, new players from among the recruits and the previous year’s junior team.  Given that the game would be “normal” from the start (i.e., penalties would be called as required), there was high optimism that the previous year’s defeat would be avenged.  Coach Rowland encouraged the team with his usual call for, “Tons of shots, tons of shots”.  With regard to penalties, about the middle of the first period, Cooke was assessed with a minor penalty and, just as he returned to the ice, Roberts was penalized for another infraction.  These were the first two RMC penalties.  Incidentally, neither Ches nor McMurtry played in the game.

USMA Goalie Penalty 1954

As for the game, it was “definitely the most colourful and exciting” game of the season, as reported in the 1955 Review.  Down 2-0 at the end of the second period, RMC came back to tie the score in regulation time before a superb goal by Pitura in overtime procured victory for the Red and White visitors.  An interesting footnote:  Someone from the West Point retinue suggested that the game should go into the record books as a tie since there was no provision in the “rules” for overtime play!  Fortunately, this partisan “idea” was quickly rejected and victory was secured for RMC.

On the Monday morning following the return of the team to Kingston, the first period at 0800 h for Second Year was History.  Dr. Stanley was a stickler for punctuality.  When, coincidentally, because they were not in the same squadron or dormitory, Cooke and Roberts entered the lecture hall together a couple of minutes late, Dr. Stanley turned on them imperiously and cried, “Out, out, you’re late.  Charge them, class senior”.  Stunned momentarily by this command, they were about to leave when Roberts had the presence of mind to say, in a rather tremulous voice, “Sir, this is Cooke and he received the first RMC penalty in the game against West Point last Saturday, and my name is Roberts and I received the second RMC penalty!”.

Dr. Stanley did not hesitate for more than a heart beat, then came charging across the front of the hall with his robe flowing out behind him and his right hand extended towards Cooke.  “Congratulations” he said as he shook Cooke’s hand and, taking both players in under those wonderful eyebrows of his, he added, “You’ve both passed History.  Give me your names”.  Well, Roberts was an above-average student, but Cooke certainly was not.  At the end of the year Cooke failed every subject but one and was not allowed to return as a “drop”.  The only subject that he passed was History and that with the minimum pass mark of 50%!