MEMORIAL CUP GAME DAY

GAME DAY
What: 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Final
Who: Brandon Wheat Kings vs Windsor Spitfires
When: 8:00 pm
Where: Keystone Centre, Brandon, Manitoba

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS
Regular season record: 50-18-1-3 (104 points)
League regular season ranking: Second overall, second in Eastern Conference
Combined regular season and playoff home record: 31-10-0-2
Regular season goal differential: 321-204
Playoff goal differential: 56-51
Playoff record: 9-6
Memorial Cup appearances: Three (1979, 1995 and 1996)
Memorial Cup championships: None
League championships: Two (1979 and 1996)
Preview: Rogers Sportsnet

WINDSOR SPITFIRES
Regular season record: 50-12-1-5 (106 points)
League regular season ranking: Second overall, first in Western Conference
Combined regular season and playoff road record: 29-10-1-3
Regular season goal differential: 331-203
Playoff goal differential: 90-54
Playoff record: 16-3
Memorial Cup appearances: Two (1988 and 2009)
Memorial Cup championships: One (2009)
League championships: Two (2009 and 2010)
Preview: Rogers Sportsnet

The 92nd edition of the Memorial Cup wraps up today in Brandon, Man. as the host Wheat Kings take on the defending champion Windsor Spitfires.

READY FOR A REMATCH
After the Windsor Spitfires dominated the home squad 9-3 in the opening game of the Memorial Cup, the Brandon Wheat Kings will look for revenge tonight.

“Obviously it was quite a goal differential in the first game,” said Wheat Kings’ co-captain Brayden Schenn to MemorialCup.com. “But if you look at it, I think we’re a lot better team from the beginning of the tournament until now. We’re going to have to come out with a good start. That will be a key.”

After getting off to a rough start, the Wheaties shutout the Moncton Wildcats before dropping a decision against the Calgary Hitmen. But Brandon would bounce back in the semi-final, defeating the Hitmen 5-4 in overtime to advance to the Final.

“The guys were really excited about the win last night,” said Wheat Kings’ forward Aaron Lewadniuk Friday. “It’s really exciting and everyone is just looking forward to the opportunity to be able to win it on our home rink here.”

ONE LAST TIME
Win or lose, several players will not play junior hockey ever again. For the Spitfires, a lot of their core players who have been dominant over the past two seasons will not return.

“A lot of these kids are going on to their own careers after Sunday’s game,” said Spitfires’ coach Bob Boughner to MemorialCup.com. “We’ve talked about it a lot. Sunday is going to be mixed emotions I think. Obviously our focus is going to be on trying to win this thing but afterwards there will be a lot of emotions I’m sure.”

THEY’LL BE READY
After cruising through most of the round-robin at this tournament, the Spitfires will not be underestimating the Wheat Kings.

"We're not going to underestimate them," Spitfires defenceman Mark Cundari said after practice Saturday to the Windsor Star. "It's not going to be a walk in the park."

"It's pretty much what they tried to do the first game," Spitfires defenceman Ryan Ellis said. "They've got some big bodies and our job is to get it out as quickly as possible."

LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY
According to Canoe.ca, Spitfire star forward Taylor Hall could become the first player to win back-to-back Memorial Cup MVP awards.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” said Hall. “That’s pretty special in its own right, too. In saying that, no one on our team can get MVP if we don’t win. That’s not what we’re worried about. It’s an incredible accomplishment and something I’d be proud about, but at the end of the day, I’d rather have the ring.”

Tonight could very well be Hall’s final junior game.

“I’ve kind of thought about that. It could be my last go at it and that’s special. I have a really good opportunity to finish off strong,” said Hall, who is expected to go in the first two picks of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles next month. “All I’ve got to do is work hard for 60 minutes. If I can perform like my team relies on me to do, I’ll be fine.”

“THE HIT”
In the first meeting of these two teams, Travis Hamonic hammered Taylor Hall into the end boards.


JOIN THE CLUB
It’s not like the Wheat Kings goal is impossible. The last two Western Hockey League teams to win the event as host did not win the league title.

"That's something we think about," Brandon defenseman Colby Robak admitted Saturday to Rogers Sportsnet. "Hopefully the hockey gods are in our favour and keep the streak alive."

OTHER STUFF
Full preview from Yahoo! Sports blog Buzzing the Net

Bowling, shopping, waterslides, and mini-golf – welcome to the world of Windsor Spitfire free time. (Canadian Press)

The Spitfires still think about the late Mickey Renaud. (Calgary Herald)

Windsor is on a roll entering the game. (Windsor Star)

MEDIA
Television: Rogers Sportsnet, RDS, and NHL Network (USA)
Webcast: Sportsnet.ca