Oceanic send series to a Game 6

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MONCTON – We have a series.

The Rimouski Oceanic forced a Game 6 in the Gilles-Courteau Trophy final with a 3-1 victory over the Moncton Wildcats on Saturday at Avenir Centre. The Oceanic now trail the Wildcats 3-2 after Moncton won the first three games of the series.

Game 6 will take place Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. Atlantic in Rimouski. If a Game 7 is needed, it would be the next night back in Moncton.

A sold out Avenir Centre was hoping for a party but it was anything but. Moncton never led in this game and simply couldn't get enough going offensively. The Wildcats outshot the Oceanic 34-23 but struggled to generate quality chances or lengthy stretches of offensive zone pressure.

Rimouski was excellent defensively. It seemed like they were always in perfect position to block shots or intercept passes. When goaltender Mathis Langevin allowed a rebound, the Wildcats were never able to grab the puck first.

The Oceanic look like a team that have adjusted their game plan as the series has gone on – and it's given them new life. The Wildcats, on the other hand, need to try something to solve Rimouski's defensive play.

Langevin was named the game's first star with 33 stops. Jacob Mathieu scored a pair of goals for Rimouski while Maël Lavigne added a single.

Former Saint John Sea Dogs captain Eriks Mateiko had two shots in the win.

Preston Lounsbury scored Moncton's lone goal while Mathis Rousseau made 20 stops in the loss.

The Wildcats have scored just two goals over the past two games.

This was Moncton's first home loss of the post-season, falling to 8-1. They've suffered back-to-back losses in regulation time for the first time all season.

Memorial Cup field is set

WHL

MONCTON – The field is set for the 2025 Memorial Cup.

The Medicine Hat Tigers secured the final spot in the tournament on Friday night, defeating the Spokane Chiefs 6-0 to win the Western Hockey League championship in five games. It's the first WHL title for the Tigers since 2007.

Medicine Hat joins an impressive tournament field featuring the Rimouski Oceanic (host), Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) and London Knights (OHL champion).

The Tigers are headlined by 2026 NHL Draft top prospect Gavin McKenna, who posted 38 points in 16 playoff games. This could be McKenna's final games of junior hockey as it's been speculated that he'll make the jump to the NCAA next season.

Medicine Hat goaltender Harrison Meneghin was named playoff MVP. Meneghin, who lost his father just before the playoffs started, was given this special moment by Tigers captain Oasiz Wiesblatt.

Harrison, you're getting this one too 🧡

Your 2025 Ed Chynoweth Cup champs 🏆@TigersHockey | #WHLChampionship | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/MYGVQXS98q

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 17, 2025

The Memorial Cup begins next Friday with the Tigers taking on the host Oceanic. The next day, the Wildcats face the Knights.

QMJHL Entry Draft getting closer

MONCTON – We're now three weeks away from the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft.

This year's draft takes place June 6-7 at Quebec City's Videotron Centre. The first round will take place Friday evening followed by the remaining 11 rounds on Saturday.

The QMJHL website has posted this year's full draft order. Below is where the Saint John Sea Dogs are currently scheduled to pick.

Round 1, 1st overall

Round 1, 10th overall (via Cape Breton)

Round 2, 20th overall

Round 6, 94th overall

Round 6, 109th overall (via Rimouski)

Round 7, 112th overall

Round 9, 148th overall

Round 11, 184th overall

Round 12, 202nd overall

The Sea Dogs are expected to be receiving a third first-round pick prior to the draft.

This year's draft has been reduced to 12 rounds, down from the previous 14.

It certainly feels like forward Alexis Joseph is likely to be the first overall pick. Forward James Scantlebury, who some draft experts projected as the first overall pick, recently signed a USHL tender agreement with the Chicago Steel, making his QMJHL intentions uncertain. On that note, the Steel have lost their general manager/head coach to the NCAA, which may or may not impact Scantlebury's decision.

The draft – and trade – hype is sure to pick up in the next week or so. It will be a busy couple weeks for the league with Rimouski hosting this year's Memorial Cup from May 23 to June 1.

Oceanic send series back to Moncton

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Eriks Mateiko scored as the Rimouski Oceanic staved off elimination on Thursday night.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs captain was one of five Oceanic players to score in a dominant 5-1 victory over the Moncton Wildcats, keeping their Gilles-Courteau Trophy hopes alive. The Wildcats lead the QMJHL championship series 3-1.

Rimouski came flying out of the gate, scoring three goals in the first 7:08 and carrying a 4-0 lead into the first intermission. The Oceanic outshot the Wildcats 23-7 in the opening frame and were 2/5 on the power play.

The Wildcats simply didn't show up for this game. Once Rimouski got things going early, Moncton had no answer. They struggled in their own end at times and were too undisciplined. 

Mateiko's goal was his first since scoring in double overtime of Game 7 in of the QMJHL semifinals. The former Sea Dog also had six shots and was a +1.

ERIKS MATEIKO MAKES IT 5-0 RIMOUSKI

That's his first of the series! 🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/dlGEuPIHSp

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 16, 2025

The good news for Moncton: they still carry a commanding series lead. Game 5 will take place Saturday night at Avenir Centre – a building they are 8-0 in during these playoffs.

The Wildcats are now 15-2 overall in these playoffs.

Moncton will try and win the third QMJHL championship in team history on Saturday. Both of their previous titles were clinched on home ice.

Both the Wildcats and Oceanic have already secured spots in the Memorial Cup tournament. Another team locked in their spot on Thursday with the London Knights defeating the Oshawa Generals 5-2 to win a second straight OHL championship.

In the WHL, the Medicine Hat Tigers have a 3-1 series lead over the Spokane Chiefs. Game 5 is Friday night in Spokane. 

Wildcats are one win away

The Moncton Wildcats are one win away from their first QMJHL championship since 2010.

After scoring the double overtime winner in Game 2 on Sunday, Vincent Collard followed that up with a four-goal performance to lead the Wildcats to a 6-4 win over the Rimouski Oceanic on Wednesday. The Wildcats now own a commanding 3-0 series lead heading into Thursday's Game 4.

Rimouski controlled the play in the first period and yet it was the Wildcats who led 2-0 after one. The Oceanic tied it up in the second, but a couple late period goals by Moncton got momentum back in the visitor's favour – and it stayed that way.

Special teams have been a big story in this series. Moncton went 2/3 on the man advantage while Rimouski finally broke through, going 1/4.

It wasn't a perfect game from the Wildcats, but it got the job done. Now they're one win away from their third QMJHL championship.

This was the Oceanic's first home loss of the playoffs, falling to 9-1. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are 15-1 overall.

Notebook: Schedule coming soon

A whole lot of the Moncton Wildcats is on the schedule for the Saint John Sea Dogs this pre-season.

The QMJHL website published its pre-season schedule – or at least most pieces of it – on Wednesday. As it stands right now, the Sea Dogs will play five exhibition games with four of those coming against the Wildcats.

Here's a look at Saint John's current pre-season schedule:

Tuesday, Aug. 19: Saint John at Moncton (Dieppe UNIplex)

Wednesday, Aug. 20: Moncton at Saint John (St. Stephen Garcelon Civic Center)

Friday, Aug. 22: Saint John at Moncton (Fredericton Aitken Centre)

Thursday, Aug. 28: Saint John at Newfoundland (Summerside Wellness Centre)

Friday, Sept. 5: Moncton at Saint John (TBD)

Saint John's pre-season contest in St. Stephen was originally scheduled for Aug. 19 but has since been moved to Aug. 20.

If this is indeed Saint John's final pre-season schedule, it would be the fewest exhibition games the club has ever played.

SCHEDULE SOON

We're presumably getting closer to the releasing of the QMJHL's regular season schedule. Last season's schedule was released on May 27.

Stephane Leroux of RDS reported earlier this week that the regular season will begin Thursday, Sept. 18 with the Newfoundland Regiment hosting the Moncton Wildcats. It will be the QMJHL's first game in St. John's since 2008.

Leroux also explained how the Regiment's schedule and travel will work. Maritimes Division teams will fly to St. John's twice and play two games each time, according to the report.

Saint John's last game in St. John's was on Jan. 6, 2008.