8 Memorial Cup Finals Decided in Overtime Since 1972

Previous to 1972, the Memorial Cup was decided with a multi-game series between two teams. Since 1972, the ultimate prize in Canadian major junior hockey has been competed for in a three or four team tournament with a one-game final to decide the champion. In the 40 years with this format, the Memorial Cup final game has been decided in overtime on seven occasions.

The 1979 Peterborough Petes beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 2-1 in overtime to win the Memorial Cup. Along with the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs, each team at the tournament finished the round-robin portion with two wins and two losses. Peterborough was led by future Hockey Hall of Fame member Larry Murphy on defense with Tim Trimper and Keith Crowder up front.

The following year, Peterborough, once again, found themselves in overtime of the final game of the Memorial Cup. This time, they fell at the hands of the Cornwall Royals, 3-2. The two teams played each other twice in the round-robin, with each team winning once. The Royals lost to the Regina Pats in the round-robin 11-2, Regina’s only win of the tournament. The Royals were led by future Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk, as well as, Scott Arniel and Marc Crawford.

In 1989, two teams from Saskatchewan took the final game to overtime. The Saskatoon Blades beat the Swift Current Broncos during the round-robin, but fell to their provincial rivals in the final game 4-3. The Laval Titan and Peterborough Petes also competed in the tournament. Swift Current was led by Brian Sakic, brother of Joe Sakic, and was coached by the infamous Graham James.

The next year, it was two Ontario teams unable to decide a winner in regulation time. The Oshawa Generals came out ahead of the Kitchener Rangers 4-3 in the second overtime period. During the round-robin, the teams also needed double overtime before Oshawa came out on top 5-4. Both teams needed overtime during the round-robin to beat the Kamloops Blazers. The Laval Titan were the QMJHL representative for the second year in a row and the Kamloops Blazers were the WHL champions. Oshawa was led by Eric Lindros, Fred Brathwaite and Mike Craig.

In 1998, the Portland Winterhawks beat the Guelph Storm 4-3 in overtime to be crowned Memorial Cup champions. Portland had a much easier time of it during the round-robin, beating the Storm 6-2. Portland was led by future NHL stars Marian Hossa and Brenden Morrow.

The following year, the Ottawa 67’s needed overtime to out duel the Calgary Hitmen 7-6 in the final game. Ottawa also beat the Hitmen during the round-robin, 4-3 in regulation time. The Belleville Bulls and Acadie-Bathurst Titan were also-rans at the tournament. Ottawa was led by Brian Campbell and Zenon Konopka.

The last Memorial Cup to be decided in overtime occurred in 2001 when the Red Deer Rebels took out the Val D’Or Foreurs 6-5. It also took overtime to decide the round-robin game between the two teams, with Red Deer coming out victorious 5-4. The Ottawa 67’s and Regina Pats also competed. Red Deer was led by current NHL players Colby Armstrong, Martin Erat and Boyd Gordon.