Memorial Cup: a Remparts victory tonight would propel them into the final

The Memorial Cup tournament got underway on Thursday in Kamloops, British Columbia. And already, there have been two thaws.

First, Patrick Roy’s Remparts, Quebec’s representatives, won 8-3 against the tournament hosts, the Kamloops Blazers. But despite their curtain-raiser loss, Kamloops didn’t give up.

Yesterday, the Blazers scored 10 goals and crushed Owen Beck’s Petes 10-2.

With this loss, Peterborough is now 0-2, and a Quebec City victory tonight against the Seattle Thunderbirds would automatically propel the Remparts into the Memorial Cup final. The club is confident of winning.

According to many, Seattle (1-0) are the tournament favourites. But Patrick Roy’s team will be motivated tonight. If they win, tomorrow’s game against the Petes will mean nothing.

Scouts have even spoken to Mikaël Lalancette and told him that no matter who wins the OHL final (Peterborough or London), he’d be no match for the winner of the QMJHL (Quebec City, Halifax, Gatineau or Sherbrooke).

The OHL was much weaker this season, and the two games in the Battle of the Outaouais (Olympiques vs. 67’s) won by Gatineau prove my point in part.

Getting back to the Memorial Cup, despite two losses in their first two games, the Petes’ competition isn’t over. In fact, they still have a slim chance of reaching the final through the back door. However, they’ll have to start by winning their final round-robin match against Seattle, hoping for some help and winning the semi-final match, if they get there. Lots of conditions, then.

In brief

– Yes.

– He’s quite an orator.

– A name to watch.

– Good start for Shapo.

Shapovalov saves three break points in the set to take the second game 7-5.

Inspired play from the Canadian who leads 2 sets to 0 against Nakashima.#RolandGarros

– Alexandre Gascon (@GasconAlexandre) May 29, 2023

– Glad to read this.