6:55 PM Sun, May 18, 2008 | Permalink
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It was billed as a possible Memorial Cup championship preview and Sunday's Chiefs game with Kitchener certainly lived up to that billing. Hopefully the result is a preview of things to come as well, as Spokane edged Kitchener 2-1 Sunday to run the Chiefs record to 2-0 at the Cup.
Basically the win has set Spokane up to advance directly to the championship game next Sunday if one of two things happen. 1) If Belleville beats Gatineau Monday night, the Chiefs go right to Sunday's championship no matter what happens in Spokane's game Tuesday with Gatineau. A Belleville win would leave Gatineau as the only 0-2 team, while Belleville and Kitchener would be 1-1. Having beaten both Belleville and Kitchener, Spokane owns the tiebreakers against both teams, thus advancing to Sunday.
2) If Spokane beats Gatineau Tuesday, Spokane would be the only team to go 3-0 in the round robin, thus advancing automatically.
As for the day, it didn't start too well for yours truly. When I woke up, the first thing that happened was my glasses broke in half. Yes, in trying to open them, the things broke in half. Fortunately for me, trainer Tim Holmstrom knew the maintainance guys at the rink and the soldered them back together for me. They aren't pretty, but they work....kinda like the Hanson Brothers.
The boys were a little sore after Saturday's game, but ready for the challenge with the home team and Cup favorite, Kitchener. The game didn't start too well as the Chiefs gave up a shorthanded goal just 4:30 minutes into the game. Spokane got a huge goal from defenseman Justin Falk 3:30 minutes before the period ended though to tie the game at one apiece after 20 minutes.
It was a hugeee goal momentum wise, and the boys carried that into the second period. Mitch Wahl, who had assisted on Falk's goal, set up Drayson Bowman with a drop pass at the top of the slot, and Bows did the rest, snapping home his 4th goal of the Cup to make it 2-1 Spokane. Who was to know that would be the game winner 5:30 minutes into the second?
Goalie Dustin Tokarski took over from there. Tik made 18 of his 36 saves in the second period, including some brilliant stops towards the end of the period to preserve the lead.
In the third, the Chiefs killed off a 5 on 3 Kitchener power play for 45 seconds to start the period, and held the Rangers to 8 shots in the period.
The Chiefs had some great chances to score in the third, but hit 2 posts, including one with the net empty, but did enough defensively to win it.
It was a classic Chiefs win...generating enough offense, and playing lock down defense in their own zone. I made the comment on air that it reminded me of the Tri City series and the final score certainly reflected it.
The boys will now get Monday off to practice. It will be a light workout and then the guys get to spend time with their families, many of whom traveled to Kitchener to watch the tourney. It's really neat that after the games, there's a room set up for the players to hang out with their families. It's great to see everyone share in the team's success.
I just made the comment that I hope we're as happy in that room after next Sunday's game. For the Chiefs, it's two down, two to go.....
Way to go Chiefs, on another outstanding effort today! You got to love watching hockey in May when its 80 degrees outside. These 3 tourney games have been a wonderful treat to watch! What a wonderful position the Chiefs are in at this point!
There is still some unfinished business to take care of but you just have to love these guys!
GO CHIEFS GO!!
Thanks Mike for the blog.
The Chiefs are running on all cylinders so far. From lines 1 to 4 and all D pairings have been great.
Keep it up boys!!! We're here with you in Kitchener, in spirit. We're yelling loud from Spokane.
GO CHIEFS GO!!!!