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HITMEN CLAIM ED CHYNOWETH CUP WITH GAME 5 WIN OVER AMERICANS – The Calgary Hitmen were crowned 2010 WHL Champions and hoisted the Ed Chynoweth Cup after defeating the Tri-City Americans 4-1 in Game 5 of the WHL Championship Series on Friday night in front of 15,335 fans at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, AB.

It’s the second WHL Championship in franchise history for the Hitmen, who won the 1999 WHL title 11 years ago to the day, and books them a spot at the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament in Brandon, MB.

Michael Stone scored two goals in a three-goal second period for the Hitmen, who win the best-of-seven series 4-1 over the Americans.

“I really can’t think of anything to say,” Stone told SHAW’s Cam Moon. “I’m just so proud and happy to be a WHL Champion with the Hitmen.”

Martin Jones turned in a 32-save performance for the Hitmen in the Game 5 victory. Jones, the WHL’s Goaltender of the Year, was named the MVP of the 2010 WHL Championship series after allowing only seven goals on 141 shots through the entire series.

“We started off a little rocky, we faced adversity but we found a way to get through and we got better as the playoffs went on,” said Jones.

Adam Hughesman opened the scoring 5:02 into the contest for the Americans, who were making their first ever appearance in a WHL Championship series.

Misha Fisenko tied the game at 1-1 a minute later with an end-to-end rush on a power play while Tyler Fiddler also scored for the Hitmen, who went 2-for-3 on the power play.

Alexander Pechurskiy made 23 saves for the Americans in the loss. Pechurskiy, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, played the final three games of the series, performing admirably, after Drew Owsley had played the Ams’ previous 19 games.

The Hitmen will now head to Brandon, MB, as the WHL representative at the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament. The Host Brandon Wheat Kings, whom the Hitmen defeated in the Eastern Conference Championship, and the defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires – the OHL Champions – will also be there, as well as the QMJHL champions.

“We’re very excited,” said Jones of the upcoming Memorial Cup tournament. “We’re going to soak this up for a few days, then it’s back to work.”

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4-1.