9:33 AM Sat, May 24, 2008 | Permalink
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One final practice. For the Chiefs, it was the last chance to take to the practice ice as a team for 2007-08 as the team worked out for about 45 minutes Saturday morning at the Kitchener Auditorium. It was the final practice in the careers of captain Chris Bruton, Judd Blackwater and David Rutherford.
Those three, as well as the rest of the team, went through a high paced workout at the site of tomorrow's Memorial Cup final. The Chiefs know they will face the hometown Kitchener Rangers after Kitchener beat up Belleville 9-0 on Friday night. Kitchener played their best game of the tourney thus far, while the Bulls pretty much ran out of gas after beating Kitchener in the round robin game Wednesday.
The Rangers performance has pretty much convinced everybody in Kitchener, media included, that the Rangers have won the Cup and the Chiefs are along for the coronation ceremony on Sunday. People were honking horns, yelling 'We won the Cup' and carrying on like Sunday's game is a mere formality.
Kudo's to Kitchener on playing well Friday. They will no doubt be the favorite, being the top ranked team in the CHL all season long and playing in front of their home crowd, it will be a big boost to them. I for one, wouldn't be so quick to count the Chiefs out though.
This team has played better than any team in the CHL on the road this season. Spokane is 36-9-2-3 overall away from Spokane this year. The road does not faze this team.
The Chiefs have already won three games in this tourney, including a 2-1 win over Kitchener last Sunday. Spokane also played their two best games of the playoffs on the road, beating Vancouver 4-0 in game 5 of their West semi-final, and knocking off Tri City 4-1 in game 7 of that epic West final.
Sunday will prove to be another challenge in that area. The Chiefs are not the flashiest team in the world and don't overwhelm teams 9-0 like Kitchener. They just play the best defense in the CHL. I once heard...or maybe twice...that offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.
If the Chiefs play their game to their fullest on Sunday, it's a good bet Spokane will silence a few more fans here in Kitchener. Win or lose though, it's been a magical season for the Chiefs. How else would you characterize a Western Hockey League title for the first time in 17 years? By the way, that Chiefs team won the Memorial Cup after sweeping Lethbridge in 4 straight in the WHL finals and then won all 4 games in the Cup. Hmmmm....
Let's hope history can indeed repeat itself. The only thing I'll miss being here calling the game is seeing the Chiefs fans back in Spokane going to their favorite watering holes to watch the game. It should be an exciting afternoon in the Lilac City. Here's to having the boys bring one home for the fans!
I'll have the game call on AM 1510 KGA beginning at 1pm Sunday afternoon. If I sound excited about it, you have noooo idea how much. The boys haven't played since Tuesday, but they're chomping at the bit to get out and show what they're made of Sunday.
GO CHIEFS GO!
GO Chiefs these guys are great win or lose. we love you .