For the second year in a row, a jubilant city greeted the Windsor Spitfires as they brought the Memorial Cup home.

 

"Its very inspiring," said long-time Spits fan J.C. Cote, waiting on Ouellette Avenue for the team's victory parade to roll through. "It makes you want to get up every day and be proud of what you can do."

 

For Cote and some other celebrating citizens, the timing of the Spits' return couldn't be better. Hot on the heels of earning their second consecutive Memorial Cup Sunday with a 9- 1 drubbing of the Brandon Wheat Kings, the team returned on Windsor's 118th birthday.

 

Thousands of fans packed the downtown core Monday afternoon, blowing horns and cheering as the team's motorcade passed by. Though the parade was set to start at 2 p.m., it was delayed by about an hour and 45 minutes because the Spits' plane landed late.

 

Many brandished flags and signs. White towels were whirled in the hot summer-like air like flimsy helicopters. Cote carried a huge Spitfires flag with him, its far edge tattered. For him, the bolt of fabric was a good luck charm. When a storm tore it from its mount, he said, he delayed putting it back up. During that time the Spitfires lost three games in a row to the Kitchener Rangers, teetering on the brink of elimination. When he put it back up, the team won 12 in a row. The resiliency of the team, said Cote, reflects Windsor's character .

 

"The people of this city are behind the team. I think the city's on the upturn."

 

William Stockford, 9, was certainly behind the team.

 

"I'm proud of the whole team for winning the Memorial Cup two years in a row," he said.

 

Jenn Foster joined the throngs of revellers with red and white streaks painted on her cheeks. She brought 10- year-old Nick Harris and 11- year-old Kevin Harris with her on what she called a family outing.

 

"I'm very proud to be from Windsor," she said.

 

As for Sunday's big game, she never lost confidence in the Spitfires.

 

"It was one of those things you knew it was going to happen."

 

Mike Barat, 50, said he could sense that feeling of optimism in the community.

 

"It gives people confidence (the Spitfires) could change the situation and make it better," he said. As to the parade falling on Windsor's birthday, "the timing is perfect ... it's like icing on top of the cake."

 

Caught by The Star as the parade passed, Spits winger and Memorial Cup MVP Taylor Hall credited Windsor's fans with helping the team win.

 

"It feels great," Hall said of the welcome from the city.

 

"With the support we have it's no wonder we do so well (even) when we're away from home."

 

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said the Spits' big win helped cap off a "tremendous" year for the city.

 

"I think all of us are excited," he said. "The Spits have given us all a reason to be proud." After Sunday's win, Windsor erupted into celebration as thousands of fans flooded downtown in a sea of Spitfires red,white and blue.

 

"Tonight is the greatest thing in the world," said long-time Spitfires fan Kyle Reid, who raced to Ouellette Avenue with his face painted red and blue. Windsorites tore themselves away from their TVs, grabbed their Spitfires flags and jumped in their vehicles to celebrate the historic victory.

 

The Spits became just the eighth team in 92 years to win back-to-back championships. Howling fans united on the street, exchanging hurrahs, hugs and high-fives.

 

"When you're a Spitfires fan, there's never a doubt," Susan Wallace said from inside her family car, while her husband Gordon was honking the horn.

 

Kelly Cartier, already donning a Spitfires jersey and red tinsel wig, tied red, white and blue balloons to her waist and ran up and down Ouellette giving high-fives to everyone she encountered.

 

Windsor police were stationed at each intersection, allowing fans to celebrate and even giving the occasional cheer or high-five.

 

"Warren Rychel, Peter Dobrich and Bob Boughner, they put the greatest team on the ice, starting from scratch and now they're the greatest team in the world,"Reid said.

 

Earlier at the Fogolar Furlan Club, more than 200 roaring fans drowned out the sound of the game that was projected on three large screens around the room.

 

Each time the Spitfires scored the room broke out into madness.

 

"Last year wasn't a Memorial Cup team, this year they are a Memorial Cup team and we proved it," said Ewan Slavik, who broke into tears after one of the Spitfire goals.

 

Hildur "Freddie" Meyer, 84, proudly held up a homemade sign saying "Go Spits Go" with stars for every player and one for every team the Spitfires beat out during the Memorial Cup tournament.

 

Meyer said she has been a Spitfires fan since Michael Leighton (now starring for Philadelphia in the NHL playoffs) was goalie in 1998.

 

"I would be so happy if they won against Brandon," Meyer said as the game progressed toward that conclusion.

 

Brady Olar, 11, said he has been a Spitfires fan all his life. When asked why he likes the Spitfires Olar said it was because "they're just awesome."

 

Article Credit:

Jeff Bolichowski & Dylan Kristy

The Windsor Star