OHL Windsor Spitfires

Three Teams Left At The Memorial Cup

Published on May 21, 2010 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release


Three teams are still left in the hunt as the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup moves into the playoff round in Brandon, MB.

The defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires (3-0) earned the bye into the championship game and will wait for the winner of the all-Western Hockey League semi-final between the WHL champion Calgary Hitmen (1-1) and the host Brandon Wheat Kings (1-1) on Friday (8:00 p.m. Eastern on Rogers Sportsnet).

One year ago in Rimouski, QC, the Spitfires recovered from an 0-2 start to win four straight games and claim the national championship for the first time in team history. This year, they took an easier path through the round robin segment of the tournament, winning all three games, including a 4-3 overtime win on Tuesday that eliminated the QMJHL champion Moncton Wildcats from the tournament.

"We definitely learned our lesson from last year," said Spitfires' forward Scott Timmins, who will play in the championship game for the third straight year after also helping the Kitchener Rangers get there in 2008. "It's a little bit nicer to not have to worry about the road to the final this time around."

Meanwhile the Wheat Kings and Hitmen will renew their rivalry after meeting in the WHL's Eastern Conference final three weeks ago. Calgary won that series in five games and the Wheat Kings are looking forward to getting a re-match against the WHL champs.

"It's been a great battle between us," said Wheat Kings' forward Matt Calvert. "We've got a lot of friends on the other team but when you are out there you hate them too. They're definitely not our favourite team to play but that just gives us more motivation."

The Hitmen and Wheat Kings have met in the WHL playoffs four times in the past six seasons with the Hitmen winning the past three series. They meet in the final round robin game of the tournament on Wednesday and will meet two days later in the semi-final game.

"I think both teams don't want to show any signs of weakness in this game," said Hitmen forward Giffen Nyren. "For us, it's to keep that doubt in their mind that we're going to be a tough team to play against."

The winner of Friday's semi-final will play the Spitfires in the championship game of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup on Sunday (7:00 p.m. Eastern on Rogers Sportsnet).

Follow all the action from the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup online at www.mastercardmemorialcup.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 21, 2010


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