The wait is over, Shawinigan, Quebec are Canadian Hockey League Champions, after the host and home town team Shawinigam Cataractes won the Memorial Cup at Centre Bionest de Shawinigan in overtime vs the London Knights 2 to1.

Anton Zlobin is the the hero after scoring in overtime. Zlobin took a pass from behind the net from captain Michael Bournival and drilled a quick shot that beat Knights goaltender Michael Houser and sent the sellout crowd of 5, 250 into a frenzy. Zlobin also tied the game in the second period. Zlobin and teammate Kirill Kabanov are only the 5th & 6th Russian to ever win the Memorial Cup. Zlobin was named the game’s first star.

The Championship Game was very exciting, with strong goaltending and very fast paced.The overtime finish also marked the eighth time the Championship Final required extra time since 1983, and the first time since the 2001 event,  and it came with Shawinigan playing a fourth game in five nights. London was coming off a five-day break.

Shawinigan becomes the ninth host team since 1983 to win the title, and the first to eliminate all three league champions (WHL, OHL and QMJHL) in three straight games.

2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup Awards:

Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player) – Michaal Chaput (Shawinigan Cataractes)

Ed Chynoweth Trophy (Top Scorer) – Michael Chaput (Shawinigan Cataractes)

George Parsons Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player) – Zack Phillips (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Hap Emms Memorial Trophy (Outstanding Goaltender) – Gabriel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes)

2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup All-Stars:

Goaltender – Michael Houser (London Knights)

Defence – Jarred Tinordi (London Knights)

Defence – Brandon Gormley (Shawinigan Cataractes)

Forward – Austin Watson (London Knights)

Forward – Michael Chaput (Shawinigan Cataractes)

Forward – Henrik Samuelsson (Edmonton Oil Kings)

More information about the CHL & The Memorial Cup - PLEASE VISIT http://www.chl.ca

More information about the Shawinigan Cataractes - PLEASE VISIT http://www.cataractes.qc.ca