10:57 PM Sun, May 25, 2008 | Permalink
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Wowwwww.....
It's all I can really say after watching our Chiefs win the toughest trophy to win in sports, the Memorial Cup. I mean, think about it. Spokane had to win 4 seven game series just to get to the Cup, then win 4 more games against the 3 best teams in a 60 team Canadian Hockey League.
To win the Stanley Cup, it's just winning 4 seven game series. That's tough enough, but imagine if Detroit or Pittsburgh had to turn around and play Russia, Sweden, Finland or the Czech Republic in a 4 team round robin to win theeee cup. That's what the Chiefs did Sunday and they did it in front of a sellout hostile crowd as the top ranked team in the CHL, Kitchener, had everything in their favor.
The Rangers were coming off a 9-0 bludgeoning of rival Belleville in the semi-finals Friday night, and everyone in the area was convinced Kitchener was going to win the Cup over the Chiefs Sunday. This despite the fact Spokane beat Kitchener just a week ago 2-1. I think that fired the boys up. It seemed the entire time the Chiefs were here, noooo one really thought Spokane would win it all.
This team proved time and time again this season that they could rise to the occasion. Look at game 5 against Vancouver in the West semi-finals. With the series tied 2-2 and the game on the defending Memorial Cup champions ice, the Chiefs responded with their best game of the year, shutting out the Giants 4-0.
In game 7 at Tri City in the West finals, Spokane rebounded from a devasting overtime defeat the night before at home to score 3 goals in the third on their way to a 4-1 win.
Then came the Memorial Cup final. Spokane went an impressive 3-0 in the round robin, while Kitchener went an average 2-2, including a loss to the Chiefs. Yet every TV show I watched and every newspaper I read, not to mention internet blog and chat site, gave the Cup to KItchener.
The Chiefs played a solid defensive game once again, and goalie Dustin Tokarski was his usual amazing self. Tik picked the last game of the year to play his best, and that's what champions do. He turned away 53 Kitchener shots, including 25 in the third period alone, and won his second Cup in 3 seasons. You see, Dustin led the Prince Albert Mintos to the Telus Cup in the Canadian Midget League championships two years ago. Now he's got a Memorial Cup to go with it. Not bad for a kid that was not drafted as a bantam, and passed over by both Swift Current and Calgary in WHL tryouts.
Thank goodness the Chiefs were alert to the case and scout Bill Chow got Tik a tryout in Spokane. The Chiefs had the best 1-2 tandem in the CHL in Tokarski and Kevin Armstrong and let's face it; you win with goaltending and defense. Just look at the Chiefs.
As for the game, the Chiefs fell behind 1-0 just 5 minutes in, but Spokane didn't panic.
Judd Blackwater, a listed player signed two years ago and playing in his last game as a Chief, scored a power play goal on a great feed from Ondrej Roman to tie the game at one after one period.
Drayson Bowman, who led the Cup with 6 goals, would score the game winner 4 minutes into the second period to make it 2-1. Then 1:01 later, Trevor Glass, who lost in the Memorial Cup final last year with Medicine Hat, scored a power play goal to make it 3-1. From there, Tokarski took over, turning away every point blank Ranger opportunity and single handedly took the wind out of Kitchener's sails.
Jared Cowen would net an empty net goal in the final minute and the celebration was on.
What a win for this team. Imagine, just two years ago the Chiefs finished tied for the worst record in the WHL with Red Deer with 58 points. Now, Spokane is at the top of the Canadian Hockey League.
The team will return to Spokane about 10:30-11 AM Spokane time Monday morning, then head to the Spokane Arena for a celebration that's open to the public at Noon. If any team in Spokane history deserves a heroes welcome, it's this one folks. Turn out, see the Cup and tell this team how much this means to Spokane. You're the best in Junior Hockey....come celebrate it! Look forward to seeing you....
THE CHIEFS ROCK!!! Awesome Season.