Monday, May 11, 2009

Kelowna Champs

Congrats to the Rockets for winning the 2009 WHL Championship.
They defintely earned it with wins over Calgary and Vancouver, plus a tough test against Tri City.
When the Rockets get to Rimouski for the Memorial Cup they'll probably get the same treatment from some of the fans that the ICE got in Halifax in 2000. "Where are the Hitmen. We want to see the Hitmen". That year the ICE took out Calgary in the 3rd round. Much like this year the 2000 Hitmen were ranked #1 in the CHL standings and the fans wanted to see the top ranked CHL team in their tournament.
In 2002 in Guelph the fans wanted to see the defending Cup champion Rebels but they lost to the ICE in the WHL finals.
The fans and organizers didn't show any disrespect towards the ICE but after seeing the rankings all year long I'm sure they were looking forward to seeing what the #1 rated team was all about.
Calgary had a great season but it's always sour to lose so late in the playoffs. Next year they'll lose at least 3 of their top 4 defensemen in Seabrook, Plante & Postma. Stone should get a long look in Phoenix. Forwards gone will be Bortis & McMillan and probably Sonne, Broda, Karpov and Golicic.