Tokarski named MVP

KITCHENER, Ontario – Team success has always been more important than personal achievement for Dustin Tokarski.

But when the NHL draft takes place next month in Ottawa, you can bet the ninth-ranked goaltender in North America – who backstopped the Spokane Chiefs to Western Conference, Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup titles this season – will hear his name called.

And it will be based on his individual achievements.

“Tik’s not ninth-ranked, he’s higher than that. Everyone knows that,” Chiefs captain Chris Bruton declared. “He’s a winning goalie, he’s proved that just now. He’s the No. 1 goalie in this league bringing us here.”

Tokarski, who split time with backup Kevin Armstrong during the regular season, stood tall and was a huge factor in the Chiefs’ 4-0 record on their way to a Memorial Cup title. Tokarski made 53 saves as the Chiefs defeated the Kitchener Rangers 4-1 on Sunday.

Prior to that the Watson, Saskatchewan, native finished among the top goalies through the regular Western Hockey League season and was named the Western Conference championship series MVP after the Chiefs beat the Tri-City Americans in a memorable seven-game series that included five total overtime and three double-overtime games.

On Sunday he added Memorial Cup MVP to the list of accolades. Tokarski stopped 143 of 150 shots he faced in the Chiefs run to the title.

“It’s unreal,” said Tokarski. “It’s been an amazing ride and to cap it off with a good game like that is just so amazing – for me but most importantly for the team. They scored on us in the first and the guys just battled back. Our defense played incredible.”

The feeling of becoming a Memorial Cup champion didn’t hit Tokarski until rookie defenseman Jared Cowen scored an empty-net goal with a minute left in the game.

“When he skated up the ice with those long legs and put it in the net,” said Tokarski, “I knew we had it.”

The victory was the ninth straight for the Chiefs, who swept the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL championship series on their way to the Memorial Cup. The last time the Chiefs lost was in Game 6 of their Western Conference championship series with the Americans. In their nine consecutive victories, Tokarski allowed 11 goals.

“They’re a great team, let’s not kid ourselves,” Chiefs coach Bill Peters said of the Kitchener Rangers, who peppered Tokarski with 25 shots in the third period on Sunday.

Tokarski made several saves in the final 20 minutes of play, including when he got his leg on the backwards bounce of a Matt Halischuk shot with 7 minutes remaining in the game. Defenseman Mike Reddington was in on the play, clearing the puck before the Rangers were able to swat in the rebound.

“They were coming at us hard in the third period at times,” said Peters. “We were trying to get going, get our feet on the gas, and play in the offensive zone a little more, but they were desperate beyond belief and that’s kind of what happens.

“Tik was there when we needed him.”

All season – both he and Armstrong always were.