7:06 PM Sat, May 17, 2008 | Permalink
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Well, after 10 days away from a game, the Memorial Cup began in earnest for the Spokane Chiefs Saturday as they took on the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario League.
After all the interviews and hoopla, the Chiefs could finally begin their quest towards their second Cup title.
Spokane looked a bit rusty the first couple of minutes, especially when Mitch Wahl stole the puck at the Bulls blue line and proceeded to lose the puck off his stick before getting off a shot. The boys didn't panic though, and midway through the period, Chris Bruton hit Drayson Bowman in stride at the Belleville blue line and Bows backhanded a beautiful shot top shelf over Bulls goalie Mike Murphy to give Spokane a 1-0 lead.
Mitch Wahl would score less than 3 minutes later on a beautiful Bowman feed netfront to make it 2-0 Spokane. It looked like it was going to be an easy one for the Chiefs at that point. Bowman would then score late in the first on a rebound after a Wahl shot and suddenly it was 3-0 Chiefs after one as Spokane outshot Belleville 20-4. Was it supposed to be this easy? I had visions of 1991 going through my head.
I mean, how many times has Spokane given up a 3 goal lead in a game this year? Not once...two goals, yes. Three, no. Until Saturday. Belleville scored three times in the second period to tie the game after two. The Chiefs totallyyy got off of their game plan and started playing unorganized pond hockey.Anytime Spokane has done that this year, they've paid the price and they did on Saturday. Belleville is a very talented offensive team, and Spokane let them get back on their game in the second.
The Bulls then took a 4-3 lead midway through third and it looked like the Chiefs would suffer a crippling loss in game one. Spokane, as they have so many times this year though, would fight back and turn the game around. The Chiefs outshot the Bulls 19-8 in the third, but still didn't get a tie until less than three minutes to go. Bowman capped the hat trick with a rebound of a Bruton shot to send it to OT. Spokane outshot Belleville 50-25 through regulation, yet had to scramble to get to overtime.
If it had been Tri Cities on the other side, Spokane probably would have been in trouble in overtime. The Chiefs did lose 3 OT games to the Ams..their only 3 losses in overtime in the playoffs. So when the game went to overtime, I actually felt good about the Chiefs chances. It wasn't Tri we were playing after all!
Turns out I was right. Levko Koper's rebound of a Justin McCrae shot put the game away less than 5 minutes into OT and the Chiefs celebrated out of relief more than joy.
Now Spokane takes on the home team, Kitchener, Sunday afternoon. After the game, owner Bobby Brett and his brother George came on the bus to congratulate the team.
George said he was now 3-0 watching the Chiefs at the Memorial Cup between 1991 and today's win. Let's hope he's 4-0 after watching tomorrow's contest!
The Chiefs know Sunday's game is huggeeee. The winner will probably head to next Sunday's championship game, so with a 4:30 local time start, there's no celebrating here in Kitchener tonight. The Chiefs know they're probaby 3 wins from doing what they set out to do, so there's a lot of a business like approach to things.
I can say the Chiefs fans were greattt at the game. There were probably 200 fans in Spokane jerseys and shirts and they were vocal. It was great to hear the Chiefs goal song everytime they scored too. It reminded me of the Arena and how our fans must be reallyyy enjoying this!
Believe me, we are as well. Let's hope to keep the good times going Sunday!
Wow!
Its great to get a win under our belts. I wish it would have come a little easier, it looks like any thoughts of that are long put to rest! These are 4 great teams that play at a very high level. Whoever wins the Cup is going to have to earn it!
It was two great games for fans to view so far.
Go get the Rangers! They looked great at times, and yet vulnerable at others. Gatineau played well enough to win but....
I can't wait for CHL #1 vs #2!
Thanks for the reports Mike...Enjoy tomorrow's game!