KENT, Wash. -- Forty years of waiting ... and finally a championship!



The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Regina Pats 4-3 in overtime Sunday night to win the Western Hockey League championship in Regina, Saskatchewan.



And the celebration continued upon the team's arrival Monday night back in Kent.









It was a championship welcome -- and much-deserved -- for a team that now moves on to the Memorial Cup in Windsor, Ontario, starting Friday. The T-Birds will represent the Western Hockey League against three other leagues.



But Monday night, they had a chance to celebrate with their hometown fans who have supported them all the way.



