By Patrick King, Sportsnet.ca
KITCHENER, Ont. — The 2008 MasterCard Memorial Cup lived up to its slogan of "Beyond the Ordinary."
The Spokane Chiefs walked away with the Memorial Cup on Sunday, albeit in several pieces. Captain Chris Bruton was on his way to deliver the cup to defenceman Trevor Glass, who lost in last year’s final as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers, when the Memorial Cup slipped apart and fell to several pieces.
Bruton and Glass stood in shock at center ice, motionless seeing the trophy they worked so hard to win now in several pieces. The faithful at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium let the Chiefs know of their displeasure over the handling of the trophy.
"They definitely made us know we broke it but I think it was loose before Bruton picked it up," Glass explained. "It’s just one of those things that happened and it’s not going to put a damper on our celebration.
"We might be the first team that gets to celebrate with two cups but we enjoyed it."
Overage forward David Rutherford, who had been a spectator two years ago with the Vancouver Giants, was able to look back at a special moment with his father five years ago. His father, who passed away from cancer, told him everything happens for a reason.
"Like he said, everything happens for a reason and we went through the front door here and no one can take anything away from us," he said. "We’re champions and it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life."
Chiefs head coach Bill Peters received a text message before the game from an old friend and former colleague. Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock, who coached the Chiefs while Peters was an assistant in Spokane, passed along some memorable advice.
"Something about good luck, breathe deep and put your foot on the gas," Peters said. "I told our guys to put your foot on the gas, get it to the floorboard and take the other foot and stomp on it."
For Peters, seeing the trophy split in half was a memorable moment but nothing will be held closer to his heart than the memories his team provided him.
"Even if there wasn’t a cup and there weren’t rings and all that stuff, the memories this group has given me here over the last nine months will last a lifetime," he said. "I’m so proud of my guys."
The Chiefs have plenty to be proud of. Spokane was the first team in three tournaments to go undefeated while also becoming the first American-based team since the 1998 Portland Winter Hawks to win the Memorial Cup and only the fourth in history. Spokane also won the Memorial Cup in 1991.
Spokane may have been the most complete team in the Memorial Cup tournament. Chiefs goaltender, Dustin Tokarski, who was cut by two Western Hockey League teams before catching on with Spokane, took home the Most Valuable Player award after a 53-save performance in the final.
The Spokane defence was nearly impenetrable, giving little in the way of scoring chances or second chances in front of the net. Spokane shut down a very impressive line from the Kitchener Rangers in Justin Azevedo, Matt Halischuk and Nick Spaling. The top line had a very hard time creating opportunities in both games against the Chiefs, proving just how tough a defensive group they are.
One can’t help but feel for the host Rangers. Kitchener put on a great show but had a difficult time overcoming injuries. Goaltender Steve Mason, who is widely considered the best goaltender in junior hockey, was unavailable after having surgery following the second round.
Meanwhile, defencemen Yannick Weber and Robert Bortuzzo were impressive despite playing injured in the tournament.
The Rangers appeared to have a difficult time finding their game in the tournament. They blew a three-goal lead in the opener against the Gatineau Olympiques, eventually winning the game in overtime. Their round robin play was solid, yet not on par with that of Spokane. Kitchener can take comfort in the fact they reached the final but were outmatched by the relentless Chiefs.
The Belleville Bulls, meanwhile, experienced heartbreak in their semifinal game against the Rangers. After battling from behind against the Rangers throughout their seven game playoff series and in the Memorial Cup, Kitchener found a lead which the Bulls could not overcome, winning the semifinal 9-0. As Rangers head coach Peter DeBoer said, the Bulls’ performance was gutsy and their team should be proud of their accomplishment.
The Olympiques never found their game in Kitchener, falling behind and needing to deal with some injuries at key positions. Gatineau’s top line of Claude Giroux, Matthew Pistilli and Paul Byron left something to be desired from their performance, rarely finding the score-sheet while goaltender Ryan Mior struggled.
Sportsnet.ca’s Memorial Cup Awards
Tournament MVP: Dustin Tokarski, Spokane Chiefs
As if there was any doubt. Tokarski is one of many feel-good stories on the Chiefs roster, being overlooked by many teams and not just in his WHL career. The product of Watson, Sask. rose to the challenge by providing his team with the stellar and reliable goaltending in the close games. Without Tokarski, the Chiefs likely don’t walk away with the Memorial Cup.
Top Forward: Drayson Bowman, Spokane Chiefs
Just call him the Ranger-killer. Although Azevedo and Halischuk finished with more points, Bowman’s clutch performance in the tournament will never be overlooked. Had it not been for Tokarski’s performance, Bowman likely takes home tournament MVP honours. Bowman will, however, have the distinction of scoring the championship winning goal, while also chipping in the winner against Kitchener in the round robin game.
Top Defenceman: Trevor Glass, Spokane Chiefs
Acquired from the Medicine Hat Tigers for his experience and dependable two-way style, Glass was a catalyst pushing the Chiefs to victory. Glass finally accomplished his goal of winning the Memorial Cup after losing in last year’s final. He may not put the points on the board, but his reliable defensive play was a big part of his team’s success. Not being known for his offence, it must have felt good for him to score the insurance goal in Sunday’s win.
Top Goaltender: Dustin Tokarski, Spokane Chiefs
Tokarski was hoping the NHL scouts were keeping a close eye on his Memorial Cup performance. Of the four starting goaltenders, Tokarski’s play never wavered in the tournament despite facing loads of pressure in some of the games, including the third period of the final. Although smaller in stature, Tokarski should garner more interest as the draft rolls around next month, displaying a solid technical game based on positioning.
