So much for a day off. After yesterday's trip to Toronto, the Chiefs were right back to work this morning as they get ready for theee biggest game of their lives on Sunday with the Memorial Cup final.
Friday was a full practice day with a chance for the team to get geared up not only physically, but mentally for what promises to be a huge battle Sunday. The team still doesn't know who they will play, as Belleville and the host team Kitchener meet for the 9th time in the last 3 weeks tonight in the semi-finals.
I'm sure the boys are hoping for the Bulls and Rangers to beat up each other over 3 overtimes and wear themselves down before Sunday. It's the reward of having won all 3 games in the round robin that the Chiefs get to sit back and watch rather than play themselves out on the ice.
The one realization that is starting to set in is that it is the end of the season. Only one team will get to end the year with a win and the Chiefs want to be that team. The boys are pretty anxious to get back out on the ice and go after the prize that every kid who ever plays junior hockey in Canada wants to win. They realize they are close to that goal and will let nothing stand in the way of it.
The biggest boost for Spokane is that they have beaten both Belleville and Kitchener in the tournament already. They know they can beat those teams if they play Chiefs hockey, and they also know what those teams are capable of doing. There's no great surprises awaiting, so the fear of the unknown has been removed.
Not only are the boys ready to play this game, they're ready to win it and go home. It's been over a week since we arrived in Kitchener and sleeping in the same hotel room can get a little stale after while. The people here in Kitchener have been great and the hospitality unrivaled. It will still be nice to sleep in my own bed and just have a couple days to myself.
Not to mention this sinus cold that's been passed throughout the team. I got it when I first got back here. I seem to be on the down side of it now, but I know our trainer, equipment manager and video guy are all battling it now...not to mention several of the players. It's nothing serious, but just an aggravation more than anything. Now I know what elementary school teachers go through with colds through the classroom!
The team did get to do a team bonding trip during the afternoon as they got to travel to a police training center in Kitchener. We've had a couple of police escorts throughout the tourney, Wally and Chris, who have been with us to make sure nothing happens. I can't even imagine that coming up here in Kitchener as the people have been as nice as can be. It has to be a good break for those guys though, as they don't have to track down criminals for a week and a half!
The team will watch tonight's Belleville-Kitchener battle and once a winner has been determined, thennn the focus and work really begins. Once you know who you're facing, it becomes pretty easy to prepare for them. It should be interesting to see who the Chiefs will face for Jr. Hockey's biggest prize Sunday.

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