The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies came into the tournament as QMJHL champions and are now sixty minutes away from becoming Memorial Cup champions for the first time.
The Huskies stormed into the home rink of their opponent Red Deer Rebels looking for payback from their 5-2 round robin loss, took control of the game and didn't look back.
The game was played, but nothing made the score sheet until Austin Strand (undrafted) took a high sticking penalty and put Red Deer at the disadvantage. The Huskies took quick advantage of this and Francis Perron ('14 OTT) scored from the faceoff dot to put the Huskies up 1-0.
#Sens prospect Francis Perron had 1G 1A in Rouyn-Noranda’s 3-1 win over Red Deer last night. His goal, a onetimer: https://t.co/X0pOL5tmT9
— Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) May 28, 2016
Rouyn-Noranda didn't take it's foot off the gas, and Leafs prospect Martins Dzierkals scored his first of the tournament.
#Leafs prospect Martins Dzierkals wins a puck battle in the corner & sneaks in a weak bankhander that beats Toth. https://t.co/Sz2iwOPeUI
— Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) May 28, 2016
Penalties would be the downfall again in the second period, when Josh Mahura ('16 Draft) would take an interference penalty allowing Nikolas Brouillard (undrafted) to give the Huskies a 3-0 lead, and seal the win.
Here is Perron’s assist, he set up Nikolas Brouillard for a massive slap shot for #RNHuskies 3rd goal. #Sens https://t.co/9f81bUqHaZ
— Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) May 28, 2016
Halfway through the third period Red Deer would find it's way to the back of the net when Luke Philp (undrafted) would score the final goal of his Junior career, and the final goal in Red Deer's 15/16 season.
Lucky bounce for Luke Philp who gets the puck right on his stick off a deflection, scores on the doorstep unmanned. https://t.co/mwlW3WB24m
— Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) May 28, 2016
Even with the home crowd cheering them on the Rebels couldn't get past Huskies goal tender Chase Marchand (undrafted) and Rouyn-Noranda would win the right to take on the London Knights in the Memorial Cup final.
The Red Deer Rebels finished the 2016 Memorial Cup tournament 2-2 with 10 goals for, and 12 against. The host can hold it's head high as they fought and stayed in the games long enough to make it to third place, beating WHL champion Brandon Wheat Kings in the process.
Three Stars:
1 - Chase Marchand, Rouyn-Noranda
2 - Francis Perron, Rouyn-Noranda
3 - Hayden Fleury, Red Deer
Tomorrow afternoon at 4:30PM the QMJHL champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the OHL champion London Knights face off in the final game of the tournament.
In the round robin stage the Huskies gave London their biggest challenge even though they lost 5-2. The Huskies key will be staying out of the penalty box and matching London's placement on the ice.
Not many teams can match the speed of the London Knights and in the OHL finals the Knights used this to their advantage, sneaking a forward behind the IceDogs defense to wait unguarded at the far blue line for a breakaway pass.
It will be a challenge for the Huskies to keep up, and London is looking to keep it's unbeaten post-season win streak going all the way to 17.
The Memorial Cup Final is at 4:30PM, Sund
Who will win the 2016 Memorial Cup?
| London Knights | 210 |
| Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 21 |
