Caedan Bankier celebrates the Blazers opening goal at the 2023 Memorial Cup on May 26, 2023. (Photo by Candice Ward/CHL)
The Quebec Remparts rode a four goal second period – and a James Malatesta hat-trick – en route to an 8-3 win over the Kamloops Blazers in the opening game of the 2023 Memorial Cup.
The loss ended a 12 game Memorial Cup win streak for the Blazers dating back to the 1992 tournament in Seattle.
The Remparts also got a pair of goals from Kassim Gaudet and singles from Nathan Gaucher, Theo Rochette, and Zachary Bolduc while Caeden Bankier, Daylan Kuelfer, and Matthew Seminoff found the back of the net for the Blazers.
Malatesta – the QMJHL playoff MVP – scored the opening goal of the tournament 7:36 into the first period at Sandman Centre. The Blazers’ first goal was scored by Caedan Banker on the power play to send the two teams into the first intermission tied at 1-1.
Bankier’s goal was the Blazers’ first at the Memorial Cup since the 1995 final, the last time the Canadian Hockey League’s national championship was held in Kamloops.
#mnwild prospect Caedan Bankier levels things up on the 🅿️🅿️ #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/5bGMOYkCWS
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 27, 2023
WATCH 🎥 | During the first intermission, @mnwild prospect Caedan Bankier shares his thoughts on playing in front of a home crowd and finding the first goal for the @blazerhockey!#MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/OZ0PSpzgzK
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 27, 2023
A three-goal burst in 4:37 from Malatesta, Gaucher, and Rochette to open the second period gave Quebec a commanding lead they wouldn’t surrender. Shea Van Olm thought he pulled one back for the host team though it was ruled out for a hand pass after a review.
Gaudet and Kuefler then traded goals as the QMJHL champions led 5-2 after 40 minutes.
Kassim Gaudet and Daylan Kuefler exchange goals as the @quebec_remparts lead 5-2 in the second! #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/dpVy7Qi7a2
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 27, 2023
Matthew Seminoff made it a two goal game early in the third when he redirected Olen Zellweger’s point shot to breathe a bit of life back into the home crowd.
#TexasHockey prospect Matthew Seminoff gets a piece of Olen Zellweger’s point shot! #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/CnqCtvxOUz
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 27, 2023
It didn’t last long as another three unanswered Remparts goals from Gaudet (shorthanded), Zachary Bolduc, and Malatesta – ensured the Quebec team came away with two points.
Dylan Ernst made 25 saves on 33 shots in a losing effort, while William Rousseau made 27 saves on 30 shots for the win.
🎥SAVE OF THE NIGHT🎥
One, two, right on cue. @RealCdnSS | @blazerhockey | #NHLDraft#MemorialCup | #SaveoftheNight pic.twitter.com/KFIgxo8I9L
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 27, 2023
Blazers’ captain Logan Stankoven finished with three assists Friday night, while Kuefler added an assist to go with his goal. Justin Robidas tallied three helpers for the Remparts in the victory while Pier-Olivier Roy had a pair of his own.
🎥 WATCH | @blazerhockey head coach / GM Shaun Clouston and captain Logan Stankoven met the media following the opening game of the 2023 #MemorialCup. pic.twitter.com/jAGRFVSGGS
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 27, 2023
Saturday’s action will see the Seattle Thunderbirds take on the Peterborough Petes. It is a 3 p.m. puck drop from Sandman Centre with coverage on RadioNL beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The Blazers face the Petes at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon while the Remparts take on the Thunderbirds on Monday evening.
You can find a schedule of events and more of RadioNL’s coverage of the Memorial Cup here.
