It was my absolute pleasure to have seen the Vees this last time at the Dudley.

In the post game celebrations at the local Drifters Lounge , it was a jubilant gathering. I talked to as many of the players as I could, individually, and offered them my congratulations and those of the forum faithful who have hung in to support the Vees.

In fact, a couple of players I wanted to mention individually who expressed their heart-felt appreciation for coming to the Dudley, need some special aknowledgement.

#23 captain Tyler Hill
He told me he wanted to see me at the RBC. In fact, he pleaded with me. It was so sincere. I do not believe it was because he thought he and the Vees needed me to help them win but simply this; that there has been something special happening for this Vees team and they wanted me to be there to share it with them. I have already shared it all with each of you, Tyler, and it has been one of the best experiences in my life. And having them hand me the Dudley to touch was just awesome. What more could a fan ask?

#16 Michael Farrell
"You just gotta go to Victoria. I do not want this to end here tonight. You have to be there with us." That is what he told me. Phew! What a wonderful compliment. Not just for me but all Vees' fans and parents. That kind of exhuberance and special appreciation is not something I take lightly. It best exemplifies how the Vees' players feel in general. About their fans and all of those who have supported them on this amazing run.

I wish I could be there but so do a lot of other people. Just know, Tyler and Michael, that all of those who support the Vees on this fan forum are with you.

Wexdog summed it up perfectly. You have, indeed, walked softly and carried a big stick all season long. Your success, this far, has been because of one thing; a belief in yourselves and in each other, all along. Neither a single ranking in the CJHL rankings nationally, nor a mention of an honourable mention have deterred you from your ultimate goal. All the talk of Oakville, Georgetown, Couchiching, Huntsville and Wellington but it is you who stand near the top of the mountain.

Something awesome for the Vees and their fans happened on the Schreiber ice surface at the game's end. The players jumped in joy on top of each other just as all the predecessors had done before them.

But that chant "RBC, RBC, RBC" sent shivers down my spine as a fan. It was one of the sweetest things i have ever heard. In fact, as many celebrated throughout the night with you, that chant was clearly heard all night long and it was the Vees' players who kept it up.

As I walked across the parking lot, after the game celebrations, I recall a bunch of exhuberant Vees' players on the balcony of their motel in Terrace Bay. It went something like this;

"Hey, Wayne; RBC, RBC, RBC, RBC!" It, perhaps, did not occur to them that each "RBC" was for a trophy. One for the Ruddock, one for the Ruddock/Phillips, one for the Buckley and one for the Dudley Hewitt.

I say to all of you, "RBC, RBC, RBC, RBC, RBC!"

I do not have to tell any of you who the fifth "RBC" is for.

For #15 Craig Laliberte, it is a chance at another national championship. He won one as a midget last year for his Sudbury team. He knows something about National Championships.

As my friend, 09hawks says; "Not bad for an old Ruddock team, isn't it?"

Stay tuned.






Wayjoy

Will the RBC be televised.

In the East, only the final game on TSN as it has been before.