Apologies for the lack of updates in the last few days.
Some thoughts from the 2009 tournament, won on Sunday by the Windsor Spitfires:
1. It’s hard not to feel bad for Kelowna goaltender Mark Guggenberger. The 20-year-old netminder had an outstanding playoff run as the Rockets knocked off the Tri-City Americans, Calgary Hitmen and Vancouver Giants to get to the tournament. The Hitmen and Giants were nationally ranked all season and the Americans were ranked during the season as well. The veteran goaltender gave up goals on the Spitfires first three shots before being pulled before the first period was half over.
2. Speaking of goaltenders, credit goes to Spitfires goalie Andrew Engelage. He received some criticism from the media, myself included as being the Spitfires weak link. The team faced goaltending questions all season long. After a slow start to the tournament by the team, Engelage was sharp as the Spitfires beat Kelowna in the round robin to get into the tie-breaker game and going on a four-game winning streak to win the title.
3. Couldn’t help but think back to the title game last year as Harry Young accepted the trophy from Branch. You may remember Spokane Chiefs captain Chris Bruton having the trophy break in his hands as he handed it off.
4. For forward Scott Timmins, defenseman Ben Shutron and goaltender Josh Unice, the win is a little sweeter after losing to Spokane in the final last year while members of the Kitchener Rangers.
5. Windsor defenseman Ryan Ellis capped off quite the year. Last summer Ellis competed for Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament. At Christmas time, he won a gold medal with the Canadian entry at the World Junior tournament in Ottawa. He capped off the season with regular season and playoff titles with the Spitfires as well as the Memorial Cup title to end the season.
6. The Spitfires win marks the first time a team played in the tie-breaker game and won the tournament.
