Broken trophy still beautiful for Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs

KITCHENER, Ont. — The Memorial Cup was in two pieces, which meant there was more of it for the Spokane Chiefs to hoist above their heads.

Spokane beat the host Kitchener Rangers 4-1 to win the 90th Memorial Cup on Sunday.

Captain Chris Bruton lifted the trophy over his head twice and kissed it and then as he was about to hand it to teammate Trevor Glass, the cup became separated from its heavy base, which fell to the ice.

While that prompted boos from spectators at Memorial Auditorium already disappointed that their home team lost, the good news is that it’s a replica trophy.

“That was the longest third period of my life,” he said. “When we got that fourth goal, it was an amazing feeling.”

The Rangers were the favorite heading into this tournament, as they were the No. 1 ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League 15 of the last 16 weeks of the season.

Spokane may have been ranked No. 2 at season’s end, but came into this tournament somewhat under the radar.

The Chiefs don’t have the high-octane offence that Kitchener has, but Spokane dismantled that attack Sunday by taking time, space and the middle scoring lanes away, while making the most of turnovers and power-play chances.

A U.S.-based team won the  championship for only the fourth time in history after Spokane (1991) and Portland (1983 and ‘98).

Spokane, a city of about 225,000 in eastern Washington, has had a WHL franchise since 1985.

Read more at The Canadian Press Website