In a thrilling opener to the 2025 Memorial Cup at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Québec, the London Knights edged out the Moncton Wildcats 3-2 in a heart-pounding overtime battle on May 24, 2025. Sam O’Reilly emerged as the hero for the Knights, scoring twice, including the game-winning goal 4:23 into 3-on-3 overtime, set up by a slick pass from Easton Cowan. Despite being outshot 48-29, the Wildcats stayed in the fight, thanks to stellar goaltending from Mathis Rousseau, who stopped 45 shots, while Kasper Halttunen’s power-play goal tied a tournament record for the Knights. This clash of OHL and QMJHL champions set the tone for an electrifying tournament, with London’s redemption-driven roster showcasing their depth against Moncton
London makes it 1-0 when Edmonton Oilers 2024 1st rounder Sam O’Reilly deflected a Sam Dickinson point shot just 91 seconds into the game. The other assist on the goal went to former Lincoln Star and future Wisconsin Badger Blake Montgomery–London – runners up in 2024 – needed all of 91 seconds to strike as O’Reilly got a piece of Sam Dickinson’s (SJ) point shot to grab an early 1-0 lead.
Moncton ties the game up when Calgary Flames prospect Etienne Morin shoots one from the point (breaking his stick in the process) at 6:51 of the first period. The assists went to Alex Mercier and Dylan MacKinnon. That is their second goal from the point.–Moncton battled back to square things up later in the period as Etienne Morin’s shot from the blue line hit London defenceman Jared Woolley to change directions and beat Elliott at 6:59.
Shots in the first period were 15-14 for Moncton.
San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen makes it 2-1 London at 5:11 on the Power Play The assists on the goal went to Easton Cowan and 2023 Philadelphia 3rd rounder Denver Barkey.–At 5:11 in the second period, the Knights regained the lead when Halttunen fired a one-timer on the power play, scoring his fifth career Memorial Cup goal. With this, the Finnish forward equaled the longest goal-scoring streak in the Memorial Cup since 2000, matching Portland’s Ty Rattie with goals in five consecutive games.
Dyllan Gill ties the game back at 2 while Moncton was on the Power Play beating a sea of traffic to find the back of the net at 12:22 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Alex Mercier and Natan Grenier.– again Moncton found the tying goal in the period as it was Dylan Gill’s time to convert on the man advantage as his shot from the blue line beat Elliott.
Shots on goal in the second period were 15-8 for London
Shots in a scoreless third period were 16-3 for London.
Sam O’Reilly scores in 3 on 3 OT at 4:23 of overtime. The assists went to Easton Cowan and Oliver Bonk.–O’Reilly sealed the victory with a goal at 4:23 in overtime. After Leafs prospect Easton Cowan deftly maneuvered past Moncton’s Caleb Desnoyers, he spotted the Oilers prospect on the right side of Rousseau. O’Reilly redirected the puck high, notching his second goal of the game.
Shots on goal in overtime were 3 each. The Knights outshot the Wildcats 48-29 in the game.
Former Saskatoon Blade Austin Elliot made 27 saves on the 29 shots that he faced. For the Wildcats 20 year old Mathis Rousseau, the starter for Canada at the World Juniors in 2024 made 45 saves on the 48 shots that he faced.
Player of the game was Sam O’Reilly
Attendance in Rimouski was 4512
Sunday’s game is Rimouski VS London
3 of the 4 starting goalies in the tournament are 20 year olds.
Never forget the dumbest suspension in the history of wokeness. Whoever decided this suspension belongs locked up in a straight jacket and thrown in the looney bin. They are obviously a threat to the public and themselves. Imagine being such a disgusting self hating loser to actually enforce this.
