The 2025 Memorial Cup gets underway tonight with a highly anticipated clash between the WHL champions, the Medicine Hat Tigers, and the tournament host team, the Rimouski Océanic. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski.
This opening matchup pits two of the Canadian Hockey League’s most accomplished teams against one another. The Tigers enter the tournament fresh off a dominant WHL playoff run, while Rimouski seeks to capitalize on home-ice advantage and a strong regular season finish to make a deep push in the national championship.
Tigers Charging Into the Cup
The Tigers have been red hot through the postseason, capping off a stellar campaign with their sixth WHL championship—tying the Kamloops Blazers for the most in league history. Their 16-game playoff journey was nothing short of spectacular, posting a 14-2 record, including series sweeps over Prince Albert and Lethbridge, and a five-game victory in the finals over the Spokane Chiefs.
The standout throughout has been goaltender Harrison Meneghin, who earned WHL Playoffs MVP honors with a 14-1 record, three shutouts, a 2.32 GAA, and a .907 save percentage. Meneghin, a Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick, has been a cornerstone of the Tigers’ success and will be a key factor against Rimouski’s top scorers.
Ryder Ritchie talks to the media following the @tigershockey #MemorialCup-opening win against the Rimouski Oceanic on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/SC2njhI6W6
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 24, 2025
On the offensive front, 17-year-old phenom Gavin McKenna led the team during the regular season with 129 points, including 41 goals and 88 assists. McKenna, along with fellow NHL-drafted talents like Andrew Basha, Cayden Lindstrom, and Ryder Ritchie, gives the Tigers a deep and dangerous forward core.
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Oasiz Wiesblatt, another name to watch, surged in the playoffs with 14 goals, while defenseman Bryce Pickford enters tonight’s game on a nine-game point streak and an eight-game goal streak—testament to his two-way dominance on the blue line.
Rimouski’s Strength at Home
The Océanic have been a powerhouse in the QMJHL’s East Division all season long, finishing with a 46-14-2-2 record. Though they were eliminated in the QMJHL playoffs, as hosts, they automatically qualified for the Memorial Cup and now look to make a statement against Canada’s best.
Rimouski boasts a 23-6-2-1 home record—tied for the best in the QMJHL—making them a formidable opponent in their own barn. Their physical play, structured defense, and timely scoring have made them a well-balanced squad ready to challenge anyone.
What’s at Stake
For the Tigers, this is their sixth Memorial Cup appearance and the first since 2007. The franchise famously won back-to-back national titles in 1987 and 1988. Tonight’s game is a chance to set the tone for a championship run and validate the incredible depth and skill that carried them through the WHL playoffs.
For Rimouski, the opportunity is about pride and performance on home ice. With passionate fans behind them and no travel fatigue, they could prove to be a tournament dark horse despite not capturing a league title.
Special Teams and Game Plan
Medicine Hat brings a lethal power play into the tournament, operating at an astonishing 36.9% efficiency in the playoffs. Their penalty kill has also been consistent at 80.0%, providing them with a reliable edge in special teams situations.
Rimouski’s strategy will likely focus on neutralizing McKenna’s line, disrupting zone entries, and capitalizing on transitional play. The Océanic will also need a strong performance in net to withstand the Tigers’ relentless attack.
Looking Ahead
Following tonight’s opener, the Tigers will face the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) on Monday, May 26, and the OHL champion London Knights on Tuesday, May 27. The top teams in the round-robin will progress to the semi-final on May 30, with the championship game slated for June 1.
With both clubs boasting talented, NHL-bound rosters, tonight’s game promises to deliver fast-paced, high-stakes hockey—setting the tone for what could be one of the most competitive Memorial Cup tournaments in recent years.
