Spitfires raise Mastercard Memorial Cup championship banner
The Windsor Spitfires celebrated in style on Thursday night, raising their 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup championship banner to the heights of the WFCU Centre before proceeding to defeat the visiting London Knights 3-1.
Graduated captain Jeremiah Addison returned for the pre-game festivities, joining seven Spits teammates that remain with the club including current captain Aaron Luchuk, goaltender Michael DiPietro, forwards Luke Boka and Cole Purboo as well as defencemen Sean Day, Austin McEneny and Tyler Nother.
The 2017 Spitfires are the OHL’s third consecutive Mastercard Memorial Cup champion and became the first club to hoist the prestigious trophy on home ice since the 2012 Shawinigan Cataractes.
“It was really special, especially seeing that banner go up,” Boka told Jim Parker of the Windsor Star post-game. “We’re part of history forever. It’s something really special.”
Luchuk scored a pair of goals in the 3-1 victory over the rival Knights that came before 4,870 fans at the WFCU Centre.