Kelowna loses to Quebec in Memorial Cup opener

Sat., May 23, 2015

News Services

QUEBEC CITY – Defensemen Nikolas Brouillard, Matt Murphy and Ryan Graves scored to help the host Quebec Remparts beat the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 on Friday night in the first game of the Memorial Cup.

Zach Fucale stopped 26 shots, and Adam Erne sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.

Nick Merkley, Gage Quinney and Leon Draisaitl scored for Kelowna, the Western Hockey League champions.

Today, the Ontario Hockey League champion Oshawa Generals will face the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Rimouski Oceanic. The Remparts will return to action Sunday against Oshawa, and the Rockets will play Rimouski on Monday night.

The Remparts become the first host since 2008 to win the opening game of the Memorial Cup.

“I thought as a team we had a great start and that helped me get into the game,” said Fucale, a Junior World gold medalist for Canada, said post-game. “When we start well it goes better for everyone. The fans were great tonight and really gave us a good atmosphere.”

The Remparts outshot the Rockets 30-27 in the victory while Kelowna finished the night 2-for-6 on the man advantage.

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Kelowna loses to Quebec in Memorial Cup opener

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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