When the 1908 New Westminster Salmonbellies field lacrosse team
defeated the Montreal Shamrocks to win the Minto Cup it was the start of
a BC dynasty that lasted over twenty years.
In those days the Minto Cup was emblematic of the Canadian senior
lacrosse championship and was dominated by eastern teams. Field lacrosse
was Canada’s national sport, but teams from Montreal, Toronto and
Ottawa had been able to keep the Cup from coming out West.