2015 Memorial Cup Tournament

[aj0512]

This year's tournament will be held at the Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec. I am not sure what the NHL Network schedule is like for the tournament this year. I know the first game will be shown on tape delay the following morning. By the looks of it, if there's an NHL playoff game going on during a Memorial Cup game, they won't be shown live. Also of note, these are believed to be the final major hockey games held at the Colisée, the former home of the Quebec Nordiques, as a new arena opens this September.

Teams
Quebec Remparts (Host)
Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL Champion)
Oshawa Generals (OHL Champion)
Kelowna Rockets (WHL Champion)

Schedule
Friday, May 22 - Quebec 4, Kelowna 3
Saturday, May 23 - Oshawa 4, Rimouski 3
Sunday, May 24 - Oshawa 5, Quebec 4 (OT)
Monday, May 25 - Kelowna 7, Rimouski 3
Tuesday, May 26 - Oshawa 2, Kelowna 1
Wednesday, May 27 - Rimouski 4, Quebec 0
Thursday, May 28 - Tie-Breaker Game: Quebec 5, Rimouski 2
Friday, May 29 - Semifinal Game: Kelowna 9, Quebec 3
Sunday, May 31 - Championship Game: Oshawa 2, Kelowna 1 (OT)

Standings (Final)
1st - Oshawa (3-0, 6 points)
2nd - Kelowna (1-2, 2 points)
3rd - Rimouski (1-2, 2 points)
4th - Quebec (1-2, 2 points)

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of buzz to the tournament this year, or maybe it's just me. Perhaps there's some disappointment that McDavid and the Otters did not make it, or the top two ranked teams in the CHL standings (The Soo at #1 and #2 Brandon Wheat Kings from the WHL) also missed the dance. No London Knights for the first time since 2011, either. The host Quebec is not even in the CHL top 10 and nearly lost in the first round of the Q playoffs, but fought back and ended going all the way the championship, where they lost a tough Game 7 against Rimouski (#6 in the CHL). #4 Kelowna and #3 Oshawa appear to be the favorites here, but overall things look pretty evenly matched throughout. The Rockets walked through the WHL Playoffs, going 16-3 overall, including an impressive sweep over Brandon in their championship round Here's to a good tournament as always. I will predict Kelowna over Oshawa in the championship.

[MidlandSpiritFan]

Oshawa punches their ticket to the championship game on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Kelowna tonight. They killed off a 5 on 3 power play late in the 3rd period to preserve the victory.

[aj0512]

Oshawa has been very impressive at the tournament thus far and I don't believe they've trailed in any of their 3 games. Tonight is the all-QMJHL game where Rimouski must win to keep their season alive.

If there is a Tie-Breaker game it will be aired live on NHL Network this Thursday. Tonight's game and Friday's semifinal will be on tape-delay, while the Championship next Sunday will be aired live.

[aj0512]

Rimouski beats Quebec 4-0 to force a rematch in the tiebreaker game tonight. Winner gets Kelowna tomorrow, while Oshawa waits. Have to think this is the Generals' tournament to lose right now.

[donjohnson]

Why was the attendance down so much last night for the host team? Is it because it was the tiebreaker and not part of the ticket packages? You'd still think that you'd get a decent turnout to see the home squad, it's not like it was OHL vs. WHL in the "Q" arena.

[aj0512]

Attendance has been down throughout the entire tournament, at least for Quebec's standards. Usually they have 11k to 12k in the building every night. There's still a decent number of people there, but not the same as the regular season/playoffs. I read an article from the London Free Press saying the lack of Connor McDavid is a big factor. Perhaps true, but I really think people need to get over that.

Anyway, Quebec gets some revenge and eliminates Rimouski, 5-2. They get Kelowna tonight at 7:30 in the semifinal. I don't believe it will be aired live in the U.S. due to Rangers/Lightning Game 7.

[MidlandSpiritFan]

Kelowna spanks Quebec 9-3 tonight so they will face Oshawa on Sunday night for the Memorial Cup.

[aj0512]

Things got pretty ugly in the 2nd period as many fans threw all sorts of debris onto the ice after a Remparts player was ejected. It will be an interesting title game.

[MidlandSpiritFan]

Championship game will be shown live on NHL Network starting at 7 pm according to the Charter menu on my TV.

[aj0512]

Kelowna leads Oshawa 1-0 after the first period in the Memorial Cup Championship. Shots are 9-4 Kelowna.

[aj0512]

Oshawa gets the equalizer and the game is tied 1-1 going into the 3rd period. Anthony Cirelli has the goal for the Generals. Shots are 22-16 in favor of Kelowna.

[aj0512]

The Memorial Cup will be decided in sudden death overtime after a wild 3rd period. Oshawa appeared to score with about 2:30 left, but the goal was disallowed. Shots are 38-24 Kelowna. First time the title game has gone to OT since 2012 (Shawinigan defeated London in 2OT).

[aj0512]

And it's over very quickly! Oshawa wins the Memorial Cup in overtime with Anthony Cirelli's second goal of the game. Took just 1:28. Congrats to the Generals.

The 2016 Memorial Cup tournament will be held in Red Deer, Alberta.

[MidlandSpiritFan]

[spiritfan8]

Congrats to the Gens and their fans, who did the OHL proud. Oshawa won the Cup without a scorer in the OHL Top Ten, without a major award winner, and without an MVP in either the OHL or Mem Cup tournaments. The true definition of a team. Hats off to Kelowna, also. Even though he didn't score, it was easy to see why Leon Dresaitl was drafted so high last summer.