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Nothing is perfect.
Windsor and its Spitfires organization raised their profile, impressed Hockey Canada officials, and brought tourists to town this week while hosting Hockey Canada’s world junior team summer camp.
It culminated Wednesday night with Team Canada playing Sweden in front of close to 5,000 fans at the WFUC Centre.
There was just one downside — Canada lost 3-2 in overtime.
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“It was a great game because it went to a shootout,” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. “Obviously the result, I would have preferred to go the other way.
“But the audience stayed. People were not leaving that bowl. The game lasted longer and the audience was there to root on both teams. It was just really nice, out of season, to see some great world junior hockey played on our ice and see the WFCU Centre alive.”
Team Canada members arrived in Windsor Sunday for summer camp, which included an open practice and a Red vs. White scrimmage. After the exhibition game against Sweden, the teams headed to Plymouth, Mich., for the World Junior Summer Showcase along with the U.S. and Finland.
“It was a great night for sure and an excellent couple days,” said Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler. “It was a credit to our Spitfire fans. We were thrilled to host almost 8,000 fans over the two games and 500-plus for the open practice.”
After Hockey Canada reached out with the idea of doing a summer camp in Windsor, Bowler said fans embraced the team.
“Windsor and Essex, all the people stepping up, all the volunteers, just a ton of support,” he told the Star. “We have a premiere facility with all the amenities.
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“It’s an attractive venue for everyone, all the world-class athletes and obviously for Hockey Canada.”
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Orr said Team Canada’s short tenure in Windsor was a “great community event” that also brought out-of-town visitors, but it was much more.
“It helps develop our sport tourism roster, showcasing and highlighting events that we are capable of hosting,” said Orr, who watched the Red vs. White game.
“And it shows and solidifies our partnership with Hockey Canada. The Windsor Spitfires have done a great job in nurturing that relationship as well, and bringing this to Windsor outside of our regular season.
“It gave us a great opportunity to celebrate Canada’s game.”
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