- I think few would have thought the Windsor Spitfires, rated as the top teams in the CHL rankings for the majority of the season, would be 0 and 2 at the Memorial Cup. The Spitfires dropped their second straight game though, losing a 5-4 decision Sunday to the host Rimouski Oceanic.
- It was the most physical of the three games we've seen so far with two fights breaking out over the course of the contest. I thought the Oceanic played with more heart and desperation after looking flat in the opening. That said, both teams haven't 'wowed' me in the first two games. Windsor is beatable if the Rockets play their game. Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner said they will have to play a flawless defensive game against Kelowna if they want to win their first game of the tournament on Tuesday. Boughner says his team has yet to play their 'A' game.
- Let's face it, a Rimouski win is only good for this tournament. A host team going 0 and 3 is never a good thing for the credibility of the championship. Also local fans stay engaged in the event for a longer period of time.
- The Rockets face Drummondville Monday. We have the game on AM-1150 starting with the pre-game show at 3:30 and the play-by-play at 4. Both the Rockets and Voltigier are undefeated after wins in their opening games. The Rockets beat Rimouski 4-1 while the Quebec champs beat Windsor 3-2 in overtime.
- Is it just me or does Spitfires goaltender Andrew Engelage remind you of former Rockets goaltender Kris Lazaruk? The pads that Engelage wears are identical to the ones Lazaruk had in his short stint with the Rockets. Plus his stance is a mirror image of the veteran goalie.
- Do Ian Duval and teammate Kyle Verdino get along? I am sure their are some friendly barbs after the suggestion that the NHL would like to see the Phoenix Coyotes move to Winnipeg if the franchise is sold to Jim Basille. Duval is from Winnipeg, the former home of the Jets while Verdino is from Phoenix, the city that stole the Jets from Duval's home province in 1996.
- No team, other than the Rockets on opening night, have been called for delay of game for shooting the puck over the glass in the defensive zone.
- I spent the third period of Sunday's game sitting with WHL referee Chris Savage. Savage told me he was born near Melfort. Now that I know Savage is a Saskatchewan boy, he can't do anything wrong in my eyes. Ok, almost anything wrong.
- NHL heavyweights taking in Sunday's game included New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.
- Color Anaylst Gord McGarva had some company on his ride from Quebec City to Rimouski tonight. McGarva drove in with the parents of Evan and Lucas Bloodoff.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Spitfires Stumble At Memorial Cup
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4 comments:
boy it will be interesting on monday i think our boys will have an awesome game lets start throwing some major league hit the game on sunday was a good one but i think we can beat any of those teams with a good physical effort .....easy for me to say ....so from the deep bush of the kootenay our whole planting crew will drink some pop and cheer you on........ come on guys make our day
we need a 100% effort,guggs needs to be on his game,we need evan,gogol,calli,granny,those guys need to come and play their roles,and of course scoring. the defense really doesn't much worry me with how good they've looked,assuming,knock on wood that that there is no major breakdowns we have a very legit chance.
regan,i'm going to assume you watched the last couple games,is it just me or is the Q and OHL less physical? it seems to be more of a european style,more speed and not as much hitting.
I thought last night's game was the most physical of the three. I hope it ramps up tonight.
must have been the second game i was thinking of then,i didn't watch the one last night.
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