The Chicoutimi Saguenéens have a shot at winning their first Gilles-Courteau Trophy in 32 years, taking on the Moncton Wildcats at home in Game 6 of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League on Sunday.
This is also Chicoutimi’s first appearance in the final since 1997 and a win will send them to the Memorial Cup in Kelowna. The Wildcats are looking to force a Game 7 for the opportunity to become the first repeat QMJHL champions since the Saint John’s Sea Dogs won in 2011 and 2012.
Chicoutimi finds themselves up 3-2 in the series after winning a wild Game 5 that saw them rally from a four-goal deficit on the road in Moncton.
The Wildcats dominated Game 5 though the first half of the game, with Utah Mammoth prospect Gabe Smith recording a goal and two assists as Moncton held a 4-0 lead until halfway through the second period.
Chicoutimi then woke up and rallied for six straight goals and added and empty netter as they defeated a stunned Moncton team for the victory.
Veteran blueliner Peteris Bulans led the offensive charge for the Saguenéens, recording a hat trick and adding an assist.
Liam Lefebvre, Nathan Lecompte, Mavrick Lachance, and Maxim Schäfer all provided goals for Chicoutimi while first-year winger Anton Linde added three assists.
Ottawa Senators prospect Lucas Beckman, who had been a stalwart for the Saguenéens, allowed six goals on 25 shots but still secured the victory. He still leads the QMJHL playoffs with a .915 save percentage and 2.03 goals-against average.
San Jose Sharks prospect Teddy Mutryn joined Smith in providing a goal and two assists for Moncton while QMJHL defenceman and rookie of the year Tommy Bleyl registered three assists in the loss.
Rian Chudzinski, Kuzma Voronin, Niko Tournas, and Gavin Cornforth also scored for the Wildcats.
Detroit Red Wings goalie prospect Rudy Guimond took the loss after allowing six goals on 34 shots.
The winner of this series will represent the QMJHL as champions at the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna beginning on May 22. They will open their tournament on May 23 when the QMJHL champion takes on the Everett Silvertips, who cliched the Ed Chynoweth Cup on Friday.
If necessary, Game 7 of this series will take place on Tuesday from the Avenir Centre in Moncton, which can be seen LIVE at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on TSN4/5, TSN.ca, and the TSN App.
