KITCHENER -- The organizing committee for the 2008 MasterCard Memorial Cup shouldn't have long to wait to find another job at the tournament's conclusion.
This year's slogan is "Beyond the Ordinary" which is perhaps the best way to describe the first two games of the tournament, making the host committee clairvoyant. After seeing the host Kitchener Rangers blow two three-goal leads in the opener, it was the Spokane Chiefs' turn in the second game.
Just like the Rangers before them, Spokane still walked away with the win thanks to a late third period goal by Drayson Bowman and the winner by Levko Koper in overtime.
The blown leads were uncharacteristic for the Rangers and Chiefs, once again proving the validity of the slogan.
Although this year's tournament has been hardest on each team's head coach thus far, Rangers general manager and head coach Peter DeBoer says it makes for an exciting tournament.
"It's great hockey for the fans of Kitchener and that's what the Memorial Cup's all about when you bring the four best teams in the country together," he said.
As far as tournament general manager John Thompson is concerned, the exciting and unpredictable play on the ice only helps add to the atmosphere of this year's "Beyond the Ordinary" tournament.
"As far as the on-ice product goes, I don't know how you're going to beat two overtime games," he said. "We're off to a great start."
It's clear picking a winner in this year's tournament is not for the faint at heart. The Rangers were a popular pick as favourites to capture the trophy while Spokane was viewed as a potential spoiler.
But perhaps what makes this year's Memorial Cup so special is its unpredictable nature. There's a reason why National Hockey League teams don't let many leads slip away as the players find out just how quick momentum can change while playing in junior hockey.
As this year's tournament has shown, no lead is insurmountable in what is shaping up to be a true classic.
