Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Windsor wins 11th straight, ends Wildcats season

In the 2001 Memorial Cup, the Red Deer Rebels had already secured a spot in the final when they took the ice against the host Regina Pats. The Pats won, picking up their first victory of the tournament to force a tie breaker game. They dispatched Ottawa in that affair before losing in the semi-final.

For most of Tuesday night's tilt at the Mastercard Memorial Cup it was looking like deja vu all over again. Moncton came into the contest winless, while Windsor had already punched it's ticket to Sunday's final. The scrappy Wildcats led by goaltender Shane Owen (more on his incredible story in a second)held leads of 1-0 and 3-2 before Windsor forced overtime and eventually won it on an Eric Wellwood goal.

This was the best game of the tournament so far, and tomorrow's could be the least interesting as both Brandon and Calgary will meet again in Friday's Semi-Final.

As for Shane Owen, he almost became the biggest story of the week, which has been Taylor Hall, after he started in place of an ill Nicola Riopel. Owen was waived through the entire Ontario Hockey League and was shelled earlier this season for 8 goals by Windsor. On this night though he stood on his head facing 52 shots as wave after wave of Windsor goal seeking forwards came at him. Windsor put up 20 shots in the 3rd and outshot Moncton 13-2 in overtime. The match up between Brandon Gormley, a top Dman for this year's draft and Taylor Hall was a great one to watch, and Hall was held to just a single assist. Gormley scored once and added an assist with a +1 rating and seemed to be out every second shift. Fellow blueline draft prospect Cam Fowler was very good as well, scoring a late first period goal that allowed the Spitfires to start the second period tied.

The Spitfires now have 3 full days before Sunday night's final, where they will either face Brandon or Calgary.

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