The Winsdor Spitfires extend their record-breaking playoff series win streak to ten.
WINDSOR, Ont. -- If ever there was any doubt, consider it evaporated.
The Windsor Spitfires are that rare, once-in-a-lifetime team that continues to defy the odds and conventional wisdom. In case their back-to-back MasterCard Memorial Cup championships weren't enough, the Spitfires are still in the running for No. 3 and beating records along the way.
The Spitfires set the modern-era record for most consecutive playoff series victories with 10 on Sunday by defeating the Saginaw Spirit in their second-round series. The previous record of nine was set from 1978-1980 by the Peterborough Petes.
As impressive as the new record may be, it was just as unknown.
"Oh, really?" said team captain Ryan Ellis when asked how it felt to set the new mark. "It's exciting and I didn't know that. It's nice to be a part of it."
Although he may not have known it, Ellis is the only player that can proudly boast to have been a part of each of those series wins.
And yet, Ellis nearly didn't get his chance to live out this fairytale. The Spitfires were supposed to follow along the guidelines of most veteran teams that graduate the majority of their core by rebuilding this season.
The wheels were in motion to trade Ellis at this year's trade deadline, but general manager Warren Rychel is happy he never pulled the trigger.
"It was tough at the deadline," he said. "A lot of heart-strings were being pulled. A couple deals almost went, but didn't go. Ryan Ellis, number one, retires as a Spitfire (which) is huge."
Ironically, one of the teams that were in the running to acquire both Ellis and Zack Kassian at the deadline just saw their own players shake both players' hands following this playoff series. Now the Spirit will have the rest of the summer to wonder if this was the trade they should have made.
There's no denying the sense of accomplishment amongst the Spitfires' faithful following Sunday's series win. Through 10 playoff victories, Ellis acknowledged this year's playoff run was more satisfying than the previous two.
For once in a long time, the Windsor Spitfires are the underdog and they love every bit of that label.
"Last year we were supposed to win," Kassian said. "This year, no one's counting on us to get past the first round.
"Whatever doubters were out there, we never really listened to it. We just stuck to the game-plan and kept working in practice and we're getting rewarded with good wins."
Jack Campbell withdrew his commitment from Michigan to join the Spitfires this season. The world junior's goaltender of the tournament is now only helping cement the Spitfires' prestige as a generational team.
"These guys want to be a dynasty," Campbell said. "They don't want to just win every couple years -- they want to win every year. That's just their competitive nature."
The franchise's ability to win is making it one of the most desirable destinations in all of junior hockey. Taylor Carnavale grew a healthy hatred towards the Spitfires a year ago while a member of the Barrie Colts. Carnavale's Colts eventually became the eighth-consecutive team to lose to Windsor in a playoff series when the Spitfires swept them out of last year's final.
In spite of the painful memories, Carnavale was quick to waive his no-trade clause when he discovered those same Spitfires sought his services at the trade deadline.
"Everyone was kind of saying, 'would you ever go to Windsor?'" Carnavale recalled. "Them sweeping us in the finals last year did leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but as soon as this season started it was all behind me. I knew Windsor was the best opportunity to win a Memorial Cup and kind of go for it, so I'm happy I'm here."
Carnavale could get that opportunity even if the Spitfires fail to win the OHL championship. Should the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, the MasterCard Memorial Cup hosts, win the other semi-final, the winner of the Owen Sound-Windsor series would gain an automatic entry in the national championship.
"I think everyone's hoping for Mississauga -- besides Niagara," Carnavale said.
Kassian knows the prestige of the franchise may give that extra incentive for a team like Owen Sound.
"I think people look at us and might be intimidated and people look at us and want to knock us off," he said. "When you're playing the Windsor Spitfires the last couple years, the success they've had, obviously going into their barn they probably use that as motivation to get their team worked up and play the best games against us."
But no matter the outcome of the series, the Spitfires' post-season streak may never be contested.
"Nobody in the history of the OHL has won more series in a row and I really take pride in that as a manager and owner of the team," Rychel said. "Ten series in a row -- I mean, that's something special."
Some may say it's a dynasty.
