The moment Blast Nation has been waiting for has finally arrived. The Blast are set to kick off the 106th Allan Cup this afternoon at 3:30 at JL Grightmire Arena in Dundas against the Kenora Thistles. This game will become a rematch of last year’s Renwick Cup against the same Kenora team that beat the Blast 2-0 in the best-of-three series. Both teams have gotten faster and stronger since this time last year. It sets the stage for an interesting game.
The Blast will open the tournament and then take part in the Tournament Opening Ceremonies just before the Dundas game tonight at 7:30. The Blast close out their Round Robin portion of the tournament on Wednesday against Terry Ryan and the Clarenville Caribous.
This is the Blast’s second Allan Cup appearance in franchise history. The last time they appeared in the tournament was when they hosted the 100th Allan Cup in 2008 (and won it!). The City of Brantford in total has 3 Allan Cup Championships (1977 – Brantford Alexanders, 1987 – Brantford Motts Clamatos, 2008 – Brantford Blast). Another interesting fact about Peter Ham led Brantford franchises in the Allan Cup is that when he won in 1977, the Alexanders finished 4th in their league and won, and in 2008 – the Blast finished 2nd and won the Allan Cup. Back in 1978 the Brantford Alexanders finished first in their league and made it to the Allan Cup Final but lost. This season the Blast finished 3rd in their league.
No roster updates have been provided to us, but Brett Leggat should start in goal for the Blast. The lineup more or less should be very similar to the one that beat the Dundas Real McCoy’s in Game Six of the Robertson Cup Final last Sunday. Updates on the lineup will be posted prior to the game this afternoon.
Kenora’s roster can be found here: http://bit.ly/1gvJqBp. The roster features former Blast (2008 Allan Cup winner) and Real McCoy’s defenceman Dan Pitre, as well as former Dundas player TJ Sakaluk.
Tickets are available with a limited quantity at the door (doors at 2:30) for $20 a person this afternoon. Get there early if you’re planning on coming out to make sure you get yours. If you can’t make the game, be sure to follow live via Twitter @BrantfordBlast or on Pointstreak at: http://bit.ly/1iial3Z
The journey is just beginning… GO BLAST GO!