Quebec Remparts dominate Memorial Cup final, winning 5-0 over Seattle Thunderbirds

2023-06-05 04:02:07

We probably played our best match of the tournamentsaid head coach Patrick Roy, who may well have coached the last game of his career behind a junior bench, but wouldn’t talk about his immediate future on Sunday night.

The Remparts took the lead with just over 6 minutes left in the first period. Well served by Kassim Gaudet in a 2-1 descent, Vsevolod Komarov scored the first goal of this final.

Komarov was behind the second goal for the Remparts, in the second period. The Russian defender initiated the action by climbing on the right wing before spotting on the other side of the ice Theo Rochette, who immediately handed over to James Malatesta.

The Remparts mastered the final against the Thunderbirds to win the 3rd Memorial Cup in their history.

Photo: The Canadian Press/DARRYL DYCK

Malatesta, who had just been frustrated a few seconds earlier on a breakaway by Thomas Milic, did not miss this second opportunity from close range and made Quebec 2-0.

The forward from Kirkland and drafted in the 5th round by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021 was also named tournament MVP.

I don’t even know what’s happening now, Malatesta said after the final. We are double champion [canadien et de la LHJMQ, NDLR], we proved to everyone that we are the best team in Canada. I think now everyone knows we’re for real.

The Remparts drove the point home shorthanded in the third period thanks to Kassim Gaudet who made it 3-0 with just over 7 minutes left in the final.

William Rousseau (35) was in net for the Quebec Remparts in the Memorial Cup final against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Photo: The Canadian Press/DARRYL DYCK

Then, with 4 minutes to play, Zachary Bolduc further widened the Remparts’ lead with a one-time point shot that deceived Milic.

Quebec never released the accelerator. Charles Savoie added the Remparts’ fifth goal when he opted to shoot 2-1 with 2:5 to play.

William Rousseau made several key saves among his 32 during the game. It was the first final shutout since 2018, when Evan Fitzpatrick guided the Acadie-Bathurst Titan to a 3-0 win over the Regina Pats.

All credit goes to the players, the goalkeeper said humbly. Offensively, they played excessively against Seattle. I had to put the big piece in front of the puck, then I did. I kept the guys in the game, offensively they contributed. It sure takes the pressure off the shoulders. I loved.

The Quebec Remparts players pose with the Memorial Cup and the Gilles-Courteau Trophy after their victory Sunday night in Kamloops.

Photo: The Canadian Press/DARRYL DYCK

We are so satisfied. Just going through it with those guys… 5-0. We didn’t even leave a goal! It proves everything we’ve done all year. I am really happysaid Nathan Gaucher.

The Remparts succeed the Saint-Jean Sea Dogs, who won the national title last year, and extend to four consecutive national championships won by the QMJHL teams. The Acadie-Bathurst Titan (2018) and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (2019) had won the Memorial Cup before the two tournaments canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Quebec also won a third trophy this season. The Remparts were also crowned season and playoff champions in the QMJHL.

It’s a special feeling, admitted Patrick Roy. Does it compare with a Stanley Cup? For me, as a coach, yes, because we worked so hard with the group of coaches. We managed to regroup in the moments that were more difficult, then this group always embarked on what we wanted, in the ideas that we brought. They conferred with us, they worked with us. Honestly, it’s fantastic.

Patrick Roy answers questions from journalists.

Patrick Roy lifted the Memorial Cup for the second time as coach of the Remparts.

Photo : Radio-Canada

It is in adversity that you learn in life, insisted Nathan Gaucher. It’s when you taste victory, when you taste the Gilles-Courteau Cup, when you want to win everything. We came here, we wanted to win. It was our mentality when we entered the final. It’s a good group and coached by Patrick Roy, with all the experience he brought us before the match, it’s incredible.

The Remparts had won the Memorial Cup twice in their history, in 2006 and 1971. Seattle was looking for its first title.

In their first appearance in the Memorial Cup tournament since 2015, the Remparts defeated the Kamloops Blazers and Seattle Thunderbirds by a combined score of 11-4, quickly securing a place in the final. The Remparts then lost 4-2 to the Peterborough Petes on Tuesday.

The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Petes in the semifinals 4-1 on Friday night.