Memorial Cup Memories

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer

A rare visit to the Toronto area for the junior hockey tournament offers up a chance to cover a sporting event where every game means something.

Here are a few of my favourite pictures from my coverage of the tournament.

Arena staff wait for the pregame flood before placing the nets.

Owen Sound Attack defenceman Matt Petgrave rides the top of the boards in first period action. The Kootenay Ice eliminated the Owen Sound Attack in the tie-breaker game to advance to the semi-final in Memorial Cup.

Kootenay Ice left wing Kevin King reacts after getting a stick in the ribs from Owen Sound Attack goalie Scott Stajcer.

Owen Sound Attack goalie Scott Stajcer composes himself in the tunnel after being pulled in third period action as the Kootenay Ice come back from a two goal deficit to beat the Owen Sound Attack 7-3.

Mississauga St. Michael's Majors Brett Flemming sends Kootenay Ice left winger Jesse Ismond  flying in first period action as the Kootenay Ice play the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the semi-final in Memorial Cup action at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga.

Kootenay Ice left winger Drew Czerwonka does quite see eye-to-eye with Mississauga St. Michael's Majors left wing Devante Smith-Pelly.

The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors who had attendance issues all season have some empty seats in the  semi-final in Memorial Cup action.

The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors' bench celebrates the insurance goal late in the third period as the Kootenay Ice lose to the  Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 3-1 in the semi-final.

Kootenay Ice goalie Nathan Lieuwen  is consoled by Cody Eakin after the game as the Kootenay Ice are eliminated by the  Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 3-1.

Mississauga St. Michaels Majors goalie JP Anderson watches the first goal of the final sail over his shoulder in the first period as the Saint John Sea Dogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the Memorial Cup final.

 Mississauga St. Michaels Majors left wing Riley Brace and Rob Flick try to create some traffic in front of Saint John Sea Dogs goalie Jacob DeSerres, who gave up nine goals in the Memorial Cup one year earlier.

Sporting Majors colours, a fan watches the action.

Saint John Sea Dogs centre Jonathan Huberdeau is leveled by Mississauga St. Michaels Majors Brett Flemming.

Mississauga St. Michaels Majors left wing Riley Brace's shot beats Saint John Sea Dogs goalie Jacob DeSerresin the second periodto make the score 2-1.

Saint John Sea Dogs captian Mike Thomas and Mississauga St. Michaels Majors centre Maxim Kitsyn collide.

Mississauga St. Michaels Majors defenceman Marc Cantin is leveled by Saint John Sea Dogs right wing Danick Gauthier.

The Saint John Sea Dogs celebrate the insurance goal as they go onto beat the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 3-1.

Mississauga St. Michaels Majors Devante Smith-Pelly and Brett Flemming sit near their bench as the Ice Dogs celebrate.

Saint John Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas picks up the Memorial Cup as the Saint John Sea Dogs get ready to rush him.

Saint John Sea Dogs Mike Thomas lifts the Memorial Cup after the Saint John Sea Dogs beat the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 3-1 in the Memorial Cup final.

As the Saint John Sea Dogs beat the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 3-1  in the Memorial Cup final.