First indoor ice hockey game at the Victoria Skating Rink

Background. The Victoria Skating Rink was an indoor facility in Montreal used for pleasure skating and sports on natural ice. While not the first indoor rink in the city, it hosted the first recorded organized indoor ice hockey match. The building served as a social hub for the Victoria Skating Club, drawing members from Montreal's upper classes who participated in various winter activities.

Organization. The game was organized by James Creighton, a member of the Victoria Skating Club and a figure skating judge. It was played between two teams of nine players chosen from the club's membership. This event is recognized as the first indoor organized ice hockey game, distinguishing it from earlier informal outdoor winter games.

Rules. Moving the game indoors necessitated changes to the rules. The smaller dimensions of the rink limited organized contests to a nine-man team size, a significant departure from the outdoor version. This restriction helped define the structure of the modern sport, which involves teams using sticks to advance a vulcanized rubber puck into the opponent's net.