The Cup challenge was again played in Ottawa, this time in a best-of-three series.
Media reports about the Thistles were more positive than those of 1903, the team being regarded as a strong chance for the Cup.
Attendance for the series was considerable;  the games attracted between 3,500 and 4,000 spectators, and hundreds more waiting outside for entry.
There were also thousands across Canada who eagerly waited in newspaper offices and other venues for live telegraph reports on the games.
Newspaper reports made a point of mentioning the home-grown nature of the team as some of them had begun to use professionals.

The Thistles won the first match 9–3, using a new style of play.
With forward passing forbidden in ice hockey, conventional strategy was for teams to shoot the puck into the opposing end and skate after it (thereby losing possession of the puck).
Instead, as they moved forward, the Thistles emphasised skating and passing the puck back and forth keeping control of it.
This strategy was aided by their point and cover-point men (early names for defencemen) who lined up on the ice side-by-side rather than one in front of the other as was common.
Ottawa's star Frank McGee had missed the first game.
He returned for the succeeding games, helping Ottawa to win the remaining games, 4–2 and 5–4, and retain the Cup.
Though the Thistles lost the challenge, they were praised, newspapers noting the players' speed in particular.
The Montreal Star claimed the Thistles were not only the fastest team from the west to challenge for the Cup, but the fastest "ever ... seen anywhere on ice".
Before heading home after the series, the team played exhibition matches in Montreal and Toronto attracting thousands of spectators.
The Cup challenge was again played in Ottawa, this time in a best-of-three series. Media reports about the Thistles were more positive than those of 1903, the team being regarded as a strong chance for the Cup. Attendance for the series was considerable;  the games attracted between 3,500 and 4,000 spectators, and hundreds more waiting outside for entry. There were also thousands across Canada who eagerly waited in newspaper offices and other venues for live telegraph reports on the games. Newspaper reports made a point of mentioning the home-grown nature of the team as some of them had begun to use professionals.
The Thistles won the first match 9–3, using a new style of play. With forward passing forbidden in ice hockey, conventional strategy was for teams to shoot the puck into the opposing end and skate after it (thereby losing possession of the puck). Instead, as they moved forward, the Thistles emphasised skating and passing the puck back and forth keeping control of it. This strategy was aided by their point and cover-point men (early names for defencemen) who lined up on the ice side-by-side rather than one in front of the other as was common. Ottawa's star Frank McGee had missed the first game. He returned for the succeeding games, helping Ottawa to win the remaining games, 4–2 and 5–4, and retain the Cup. Though the Thistles lost the challenge, they were praised, newspapers noting the players' speed in particular. The Montreal Star claimed the Thistles were not only the fastest team from the west to challenge for the Cup, but the fastest "ever ... seen anywhere on ice". Before heading home after the series, the team played exhibition matches in Montreal and Toronto attracting thousands of spectators.
Kenora Thistles