An inside look at the Memorial Cup - the colour, the conversations, the fanfare, the fun.

As if the raw emotion inside the Budweiser Gardens wasn’t powerful enough when the London Knights started their bid to win another Memorial Cup Friday, the band the Trews managed to pique the intensity with a stirring song.

Written for a fallen soldier from their hometown in Nova Scotia, Highway of Heroes caused the crowd of 8,800 to rise, unprompted.

Many removed their hats in respect and listened to the poignant tribute, while others had tears.

The Trews performed the song on the ice in a ceremony before the game. They later entertained in the beer tent outside on the square. There was a long lineup waiting to get into the beer tent to hear the Canadian rockers.

The result on the ice wasn’t what London fans had hoped for. The Val d’Or Foreurs managed a 1-0 victory over the Knights, with Anthony Mantha, a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, scoring.

“We just build on this game and I think good things will happen,” says Knights goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who had 27 saves. “We let too many shots go to the net with no traffic.”

He admits to some nerves. “Seeing the Memorial Cup brought to centre ice … kind of gets you ramped up. I had jitters. Once I got the first couple of shots, I kind of settled down.”

Up next is the Guelph Storm versus the Edmonton Oil Kings Saturday.

Junior hockey ain't what it used to be

Guelph Storm coach Scott Walker, who played in the NHL for several teams, was shocked when he watched his first Memorial Cup in London as "a fan" in 2005.

"There was a lot of hype about Sidney Crosby and I wanted to come see him and I wanted to see the London Knights. It was the first time I'd been to an event like that. It was an eye opener.

"I was still playing in National League at the time and I thought I was just coming down to watch a hockey game. When you can't park four blocks within the arena, 'It was whoa, this is a little bigger than just a hockey game.'

"I wandered through one of the tents and found my way to the game."

What he took away: "Junior hockey has really grown, from when I (played). I played in Owen Sound. We had basically a dressing room and one bicycle. Looks like it's grown a fair bit from that."

Walker also says London is the team to beat at this Cup (despite the loss). "I'd make London the favourite." That's because the Knights had the longest time to rest and heal and they now have everyone back in the fold after some injuries. 

Baby arrives in time to make Cup assignment

London native Sean Reid, who is officiating during the Memorial Cup, wasn't sure if his schedule would work out. 

Reid's wife was expecting to deliver their baby right around the start of the Memorial Cup and Reid had to travel from the Ottawa area. Luckily, his wife delivered a baby girl, Sydney, earlier in the week.

“It’s a very exciting week with everything. It’s great to see the passion in the city for the event,” Reid says.

Reid will be on the ice Saturday.

Celebrity sighting: Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock

Tweet of the Day: @43_Kadri Nazem Kadri: Go @GoLondonKnights Go, we know it's ur year hate the fact I'm missing it but I'll be cheering from a distance #russia #mem #alumni

Quote of the Day: Val d’Or goalie Antoine Bibeau about a 200-foot save that he made at the last second after realizing action had resumed. “The crowd started getting really loud. I didn’t notice there was five seconds delay. (He was watching the replay). I saw the puck at the last second. It was an easy save, but a key save.”

Predicting the Knights will win the championship: Local horse whisperer Gord Young has spoken to the Clydesdales, who say it will be another Cup win for London.

Worth Checking Out: The Clydesdales will be at FanFest Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

CJBK Greatest Knight

A contest on  NewsTalk 1290 CJBK asked the public to pick the greatest London Knight ever. The winner: Corey Perry.

If you didn't vote, who would you pick as the best London Knight?