The Moncton Wildcats try to take a 2-0 series lead over the Chicoutimi Saguenéens as Game 2 of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Championship Series takes place on Saturday night.
Moncton looks to win their second consecutive Gilles-Courteau Trophy and return to the Memorial Cup in Kelowna while Chicoutimi is trying to win their first QMJHL title since 1994.
Watch Moncton battle Chicoutimi in Game 2 of the QMJHL final LIVE on TSN5, TSN.ca and the TSN App.
The Wildcats took the all-important Game 1 of the series on Friday with a pair of Utah Mammoth prospects taking centre stage.
Captain Caleb Desnoyers registered a goal and two assists while Gabe Smith potted two goals as the Wildcats defeated the Saguenéens 5-2.
Moncton took a 3-1 lead after the first period but Chicoutimi cut their lead to a goal early in the second frame. The score remained 3-2 in the Wildcats favour until the final two minutes of regulation before Moncton scored two empty-net goals to seal the victory.
Desnoyers was drafted fourth overall by the Mammoth in 2025 and is the reigning Guy LaFleur Trophy winner as last year’s playoff MVP.
The 6-foot-2 centre recorded 22 goals and 78 points in the regular season and has added six goals and 21 points in the postseason entering Saturday’s action.
Smith was selected 103rd overall by the Mammoth in the 2024 draft and leads the QMJHL playoffs in scoring with 16 goals and 26 points in 16 games.
He finished third on the team in scoring during the regular season with 34 goals and 77 points in 45 games.
Moncton also featured the QMJHL’s top defenceman in rookie Tommy Bleyl, who recorded 13 goals and 81 points in 63 games. He’s added six goals and 22 points in the playoffs to help his team to the QMJHL final.
Bleyl is ranked 39th on TSN Hockey Insider Craig Button’s march draft list and is scheduled to return to Moncton next season, committing to Michigan State University for the 2027-28 campaign.
Detroit Red Wings prospect Rudy Guimond picked up his 13th win of the playoffs, making 26 saves. He is second QMJHL postseason stats with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
Chicoutimi got offence from forwards Christophe Berthelot and Mavrick Lachance, who each provided a goal.
QMJHL regular season MVP Maxim Masse was limited to only one assist after recording six goals and 21 points in the playoffs. The Anaheim Ducks prospect led the league both goals and points during the regular season with 51 goals and 102 points.
Ottawa Senators prospect Lucas Beckman took the loss after allowing three goals on 34 shots. Beckman leads all QMJHL goalies with a 1.54 GAA and .931 save percentage in the playoffs to go along with his 12 wins.
The series will shift to Centre Georges-Vézina in Chicoutimi for Game 3 on Tuesday which can be seen LIVE at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on TSN2, TSN.ca and the TSN App.
