I know its not a fashion show but those Moncton third jerseys are ugly. I think the team has a cool logo usually, not liking the jerseys. Not the only one feeling that way either after viewing social media tons mocking their jerseys. But they played a great a game, both teams did.
The Moncton Wildcats started slow but found their stride, securing a convincing 6-2 victory against the Rimouski Océanic in the final round-robin match of the 2025 Memorial Cup. This result propels the Wildcats into Friday’s Semi-Final, while the defeat ends the tournament run for the host Océanic. Gabe Smith spearheaded the Wildcats’ offense, netting two goals and adding two assists. Julius Sumpf, Juraj Pekarcik, Etienne Morin, and Alex Mercier also found the back of the net for Moncton. Preston Lounsbury contributed two assists, and goaltender Mathis Rousseau stopped 32 shots to earn the win. For Rimouski, Maël St-Denis and Mathieu Cataford each scored once, with Mathis Langevin making 27 saves in a solid but losing effort in goal.
The Océanic came out flying and kept the pressure on for what proved to be a very one-sided opening period. Although it was the Wild Cats that found the back of the net first after being outshot by about 15 shots at the time.
Julius Sumpf made it a 1-0 game for Moncton at 7:39 of the first period with the assist on the goal going to 2023 St. Louis Blues third rounder Slovak Juraj Pekarcik– At 7:39, the Wildcats took the lead. Pekarcik dug the puck out from deep in the Oceanic’s zone and sent a sharp cross-ice pass through a maze of players to Sumpf, who fired it into an open net, marking the first goal scored by a Moncton forward in the tournament.
Rimouski then ties it up at 13:27 of the first period when Mael St. Denis scores his second of the tournament. The assist on the goal went to Maxime Coursel.–The Océanic kept up their pressure and finally broke through against Rousseau at 13:27. Maxime Coursol’s close-range shot was stopped by Moncton’s goaltender, but St-Denis pounced on the loose rebound, firing a backhand into the net for his second goal of the tournament.
Rimouski then takes the lead and makes it 2-1 when Mathieu Cataford scores at 17:11 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Quebec City native Olivier Theberge and Dominic Pilote.–The Océanic would pull ahead with 2:49 remaining in the frame when Olivier Théberge took a couple of steps in from the line and connected with a wide open Cataford who deflected the puck past Rousseau.
Shots on goal in the first period were 17-6 for Rimouski. The first period was all Rimouski.
Juraj Pekarcik tied the game back up for Moncton at 1:27 of the second period with the helpers going to Dylan MacKinnon and Alex Mercier.–The QMJHL Champions evened the score at 2-2 early in the period, striking just 87 seconds in. Dylan MacKinnon fired a shot from the blue line, which Pekarcik skillfully redirected at waist height in the slot, beating Langevin.
Gabe Smith gives Moncton a 3-2 lead at 4:05 of the second period with the assist on the goal going to Salisbury, New Brunswick native Preston Lounsbury.–Moncton regained the lead at 4:05 when Preston Lounsbury picked off an Océanic turnover in the back slot and took a shot that missed the net, but Smith quickly followed up, pouncing on the loose puck and slipping it past Langevin.
Shots in second period were 11-9 for Moncton
Etienne Morin gave the Wildcats a 4-2 lead at 4:02 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Gabe Smith and Maxime Cote.–The Cats grabbed a two-goal advantage at 4:02 when Morin walked in and unleashed a low wrister that eluded Langevin and gave the Calgary Flames prospect his second tally of the tournament.
Empty net goal by Gabe Smith at 18:12 of the third period made it a 5-2 game for Moncton. The assist on the goal went to Preston Lounsbury.
2nd empty net goal went to Alex Mercier at 19:01 of the third period with the helpers on that one going to Gabe Smith and Julius Sumpf.
Shots on goal in the third period were 16-8 for Moncton. Rimouski outshot Moncton in the game 34-33
For the Wildcats Mathis Rousseau made 32 saves on the 34 shots for the win. For Rimouski Mathis Langevin made 27 saves on the 31 shots that he faced.
Gabe Smith of the Wildcats was named player of the game
Attendance in Moncton was 4512
Next game is the semi final with London and Moncton on Friday May 30th
