WHITBY -- The 2008 Whitby Dunlops weren't about to let the party be spoiled for the 1958 Whitby Dunlops. Despite falling behind early in their Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League playoff game against the Simcoe County Tundras, the current Dunlops provided a fitting conclusion to anniversary celebrations Sunday with a 5-2 win at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre.
Coming 50 years to the day after the historic Dunnies downed the Soviets 4-2 to win a world senior hockey championship, the game was played in front of 707 fans, including 10 of the players and manager Wren Blair from that '58 team.
"That's pretty special. The boys look at that and all of a sudden the wheels start turning," said Dunlops coach Mike Posavad after the game. "When you've played as long as these guys have you really get to respect what was accomplished and what they had to go through."
The Dunlops showed their respect by posting another important playoff win, upping their lead to 2-0 in the best-of-seven league final.
And, make no mistake, these Dunlops have a trophy in mind as well. After losing out in the Allan Cup national final two years in a row, the team is determined to make amends when the 100th anniversary of that competition is held in Brantford next month.
If Whitby can go that one extra step, the team name would be engraved on a trophy that bears the old Dunlops name in 1957 and 1959.
"This is my third year on the team and I think this is the best Dunlop team I've been on so far," Bob McQuat said after Sunday's game. "It's something that we all decided we'll give one more shot. It's here in Brantford, so we don't have to leave for a week this year like we did the previous two years. I think the guys are ready and I know we want to win."
McQuat's certainly doing his part. The Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League's defenceman of the year scored two power-play goals and added a pair of assists Sunday, upping his playoff totals to 3-9-12 in seven games.
"He's such a game-breaker player, but the other thing he doesn't get enough respect for is his defensive play," Posavad says of McQuat. "He's the guy that can go out in all situations whether its penalty kill or power play and everything in between. He's a huge, huge part of this team."
Captain Peter MacKellar was dominant as well Sunday, earning the first star nod after picking up a goal and an assist. Dale Junkin and Colin Baker scored as Whitby built a 5-1 lead through two periods.
Richard Kazda and John Vecchiarelli replied for the Tundras, who managed 40 shots on goalie Chad Ford. The Dunnies sent 47 pucks at the Tundras' Dave Digironimo.