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Oshawa Generals defeat Kelowna Rockets in overtime to win Memorial Cup

Oshawa Generals captain Josh Brown holds the Memorial Cup trophy over his head after his team won the tournament 2-1 in overtime against the Kelowna Rockets Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the Memorial Cup final in Quebec City.
Oshawa Generals captain Josh Brown holds the Memorial Cup trophy over his head after his team won the tournament 2-1 in overtime against the Kelowna Rockets Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the Memorial Cup final in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

After three periods of deadlocked hockey, it was over in 88 seconds.

Anthony Cirelli scored his second goal of the game 1:28 into overtime, as the Oshawa Generals defeated the Kelowna Rockets 2-1 in overtime to win the Memorial Cup.

The Rockets’ Leon Draisaitl, who was drafted third overall by the Edmonton Oilers last year, received the MVP award in a losing effort.

The Western Hockey League champions from Kelowna scored the first goal of the game at the Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, and led after the one period.

But the Ontario Hockey League champion Generals tied it in the second and put increasing pressure on the Rockets as the game progressed.

Their best chance to win the game in regulation came with just over two minutes to go – but Hunter Smith’s tap-in was disallowed.

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After one period, the Rockets led 1-0, courtesy of a Tomas Soustal goal 15:08 into the game.

Anthony Cirelli scored for the Generals to tie the game at 13:50 of the second period, as the Ontario Hockey League champions roared to life after a lackluster first half.

The Rockets outshot the Generals in regulation 38-24.

Kelowna was looking for their first Memorial Cup since 2004, while the Generals hadn’t won since 1990.

In their previous match this Memorial Cup, Oshawa also defeated Kelowna 2-1.

An announced crowd of 10,391 turned out for the final hockey game at the Pepsi Colisee, which is to be demolished and replaced by the 18,000-seat Videotron Centre next door.

Total attendance for nine games was 79,930, or 8,881 per game. Next year’s Memorial Cup will be in Red Deer, Alberta.

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