05-30-2007, 09:21 PM
Well, Vancouver didn't automatically get in the final, they did have to play their round-robin games just like everyone else in the tournament. They happened to play themselves into the final. Just in case there was any confusion about that.
Now whether there should be a host team that gets to that level may be another question. Logistically a four-team tournament is much better than a three-team one, and I'm not sure how else you set that up with only three major junior leagues.
Here's the other thing... these kids, while young and highly trained athletes, have already gone through four playoff series to get to this point (granted the host team doesn't necessarily have to get to this point, but host teams have for the last few years anyway), and often those series are gruelling. So does it seem fair after that to ask them to play one or two more seven game series? Not to me it does. The format may not be perfect, but it works and creates an exciting tournament feel, so I am happy with the Memorial Cup as it is now.
Now whether there should be a host team that gets to that level may be another question. Logistically a four-team tournament is much better than a three-team one, and I'm not sure how else you set that up with only three major junior leagues.
Here's the other thing... these kids, while young and highly trained athletes, have already gone through four playoff series to get to this point (granted the host team doesn't necessarily have to get to this point, but host teams have for the last few years anyway), and often those series are gruelling. So does it seem fair after that to ask them to play one or two more seven game series? Not to me it does. The format may not be perfect, but it works and creates an exciting tournament feel, so I am happy with the Memorial Cup as it is now.