Memorial Cup

 It's no secret, the Memorial Cup is one of the hardest trophies in sports to win. First off, you got to get through your 18-22 team league, unless you're the tournament host. Then you got to slug your way through a round robin against the other league champions and win between one to three knockout games. The season starts as a marathon, then turns to a sprint. 

I got to attend one Memorial Cup. It was the 100th edition of the tournament held in the Queen City. Regina, Saskatchewan. I was able to take in a pair of games, a high scoring affair between tournament champions Acadia-Bathurst and the hosts Regina. A game where the Titan almost blew a 6-1 lead in the third period (you could feel the anticipation build after each Pats goal). That was a game that featured New York Islander Noah Dobson and Dallas Star Sam Steel. The second game was the polar opposite in terms of goals scored but not in terms of excitement. Stuart Skinner made a then Memorial Cup record 54 saves, however, his Swift Current Broncos fell 2-1 at the hands of the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs. Side note, amazing how many Oiler fans complain about Skinner but they aren't willing to admit that his career numbers are better than Hall of Famer's Grant Fuhr. Anywhos. It was an amazing atmosphere, filled with junior hockey fans from across the nation (just look at all the different jerseys worn at the event year after year). Gotta say, it will be an honor to call games at the tournament one day.

At first glance, the 2025 edition of the Memorial Cup seems wide open. Entering, I couldn't pick a clear cut favorite. Medicine Hat was impressive, buzz sawing their way to a WHL title. But London, who fell one game short of a Memorial Cup last year, only lost one game the whole playoff in the OHL. The QMJHL teams were dangerous groups too. Despite being the hosts, Rimouski made it to the league final, where they fell in six games to the Moncton Wildcats, a team that dominated their league. This year's Memorial Cup had all the fixings to being a classic.

Round Robin

1. Medicine Hat (3-0)

Watching the Tigers, what stood out to me is how they found different ways to win. A late game winner in a 5-4 emotionally charged game against Rimouski. A two goal lead, courtesy of Ryder Ritchie, en route to a 3-1 win over Moncton. Plus another 3-1 win over London, where Harrison Meneghin stopped 35 of 36 shots. Everyone looks at future first overall draft pick Gavin McKenna, but they also have Oasiz Wiesblatt, Andrew Basha, Cayden Lindstrom, Tanner Molendyk, the list goes on and on. Medicine Hat is looking to end a WHL drought at the Memorial Cup (the 2014 Edmonton Oil Kings were the last team to win the trophy for the league) and with a bye to the final, they appear poised to do so.

2. London Knights (2-1)

Dale Hunter's group returned to the national championship looking to right a wrong and avenge their final loss last year. The Knights were another team that were just finding ways to win games. An overtime triumph against Moncton. A late game winner against Rimouski, before being unable to solve the Tigers. One thing is for certain, the Knights will not be shaken. They will need to take the long route to get back to the final, but this is a confident bunch who have been there before. They will be ready in the semi-final against Moncton. Also, how about WHL castaway Austin Elliott? I got to call a couple of his games when he was a 17 year old with the Notre Dame Hounds in the SJHL. Now, goalie of the tournament? Unbelievable!

3. Moncton Wildcats (1-2)

The Wildcats found themselves in every single game through the round robin. A bounce here or there and we could be talking about Moncton having the bye into the final with a perfect 3-0 record. Their hammering of Rimouski in the final round robin game gives them momentum and some extra confidence heading into the semi-final against London. While Alex Mercier is tied for the most points in the round robin with five, I'm really surprised that potential top five draft pick Caleb Desnoyers has no points. If he gets going, look out. 

4. Rimouski Oceanic (0-3)

It was a good effort by Rimouski, but heart breaking losses in their first two games appeared to snap their resolve. There is always a lot of pressure on the host team to perform, not just on holding an amazing tournament (which Rimouski has), but also on the ice. To me, the biggest difference between the Oceanic and the other teams, Rimouski doesn't have THAT guy. The guy that can take over a game. For Moncton, it's Desnoyers and Mercier. London has Easton Cowan. Medicine Hat has a plethora of guys starting with McKenna and Ritchie, leading to Basha and Lindstrom. In the end, Rimouski's tournament ended prematurely, but it does not take away from a remarkable season by the St Lawrence bunch.

Knockout Round

Semi-Final (London vs Moncton)

They say to be successful, your best players need to be your best players. That's what happened between Moncton and London. For the Wildcats, the semi-finals finally saw Caleb Desnoyers make it onto the score sheet with a goal and a helper. It wasn't from a lack of trying, more so a lack of luck. However, London's big boys showed up to book their ticket to the final. Captain Denver Barkey sparkled, Easton Cowan shined, Oliver Bonk and Sam Dickenson were rocks on the back end, as the Knights pursued the next step of redemption with a 5-2 win over the Wildcats. With one more hurdle in the way, London appeared to be playing their best hockey at the right time.

Final (Medicine Hat vs London)

Last year, the London Knights were the number one seed in the final, playing against the host Saginaw Spirit, looking to capture their third Memorial Cup. Then, with 22 seconds remaining, the Spirit scored a go-ahead goal to shatter the Knights' hearts. This season has been all about righting that wrong. In truth, the final was a bit anti-climatic. The Knights built up a healthy lead and cruised to victory in the third period. But it was more how they did it. Cayden Lindstrom looked frustrated for the Tigers, Gavin McKenna was held virtually in check until the third period, Andrew Basha and Oasiz Wiesblatt's names were rarely called. It was a masterclass by the Knights silencing their opponents. Former WHL goalie Austin Elliott turned aside 31 shots, Denver Barkey had a pair of goals, Easton Cowan was a beast, how about Sam Dickenson with three assists. It was a brilliant game by London, redeeming themselves from last year's heartbreak and ending their crusade with the franchise's third Memorial Cup title.