Prospect Info: 2014 Memorial Cup - Nikita Zadorov/Brady Austin - London Knights

[LaxSabre]

2014 Mastercard Memorial Cup - May 16-May 25 - London, Ontario, Canada.
Official Website - www.MastercardMemorialCup.ca

Guelph Storm - Ontario Hockey League Champions - Team Website - http://www.guelphstorm.com/
Val-d’Or Foreurs - Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Champions - Team Website - http://www.foreurs.qc.ca/
Edmonton Oil Kings - Western Hockey League Champions - Team Website - http://www.oilkings.ca/
London Knights - Ontario Hockey League/Host Team - Team Website - http://www.londonknights.com/

Ontario Hockey League - http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League - http://www.theqmjhl.ca/
Western Hockey League - http://www.theqmjhl.ca/

Game #1 - Friday, May 16 - Val'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 1 - London Knights (OHL-Host) 0.
Game #2 - Saturday, May 17 - Guelph Storm (OHL Champions) 5 - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 2.
Game #3 - Sunday, May 18 - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 5 - London Knights (OHL-Host) 2.
Game #4 - Monday, May 19 - Guelph Storm (OHL Champions) 6 - Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 3.
Game #5 - Tuesday, May 20 - Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 3 Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 2 (2 OT).
Game #6 - Wednesday, May 21 - Guelph Storm (OHL Champions) 7 - London Knights (OHL-Host) 2.
Game #7 - Friday, May 23 - Semifinal - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 4 Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 3 (3 OT).
Game #8 - Sunday, May 25 - Championship - Guelph Storm (OHL Champions) vs Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) - 4:00 pm ET.

TV - Canada - Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific (all games) United States - NHL Network (will post complete schedule later.)
Online - Sportsnet.ca (The last few Memorial Cups they had a camera located in the corner on one end of the rink - no play by play.)
Online - http://tournaments.neulion.com/tournaments/

Commentators - RJ Broadhead (Play By Play) Sam Cosentino (Analyst) Rob Faulds (Interviewer).
On Location Studio - (Pre-Game/Intermissions/Post-Game) - Jeff Marek (Host) John Shannon (Analyst) Damien Cox (Analyst).
Nick Krypreos (Analyst) will be join the studio crew starting Sunday, May 18.

Radio - Sportsnet Radio - The Fan (all games) - Online - Sportsnet 590 - The Fan (all games) - http://player.rogersradio.ca/cjcl/on_air
Commentators - Mel Raskin (Play By Play) Marty Williamson (Analyst)
Also each team will have their own broadcast-check each teams website for links.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca...ge-of-the-2014-mastercard-memorial-cup/162578

Click to read more...

 

[LaxSabre]

Plenty At Stake As London Knights Host Memorial Cup - Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer - NHL.com - Wednesday, May 14 -
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=719344&navid=nhl:topheads

There's a good chance many of the NHL's brightest future stars will be playing big roles this weekend when the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup commences at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, Canada.

"We approach it as a body of work over the whole season but if some guys do well and play over their head at the Memorial Cup, you have got to take into consideration what he did," Buffalo Sabres Assistant General Manager Kevin Devine told NHL.com. "Look at a guy like [Nathan] MacKinnon in last year's tournament. He put that [Halifax Mooseheads] team on his back and cemented his #1 status."
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Here's a closer look at the top drafted and undrafted prospects for each team in the 2014 Memorial Cup -
Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 25 - Budweiser Gardens - London, Ontario, Canada.

London Knights - Ontario Hockey League/Host Team -

The Knights have two players on NHL Central Scouting's final list of top North American players eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft on June 27-28 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Christian Dvorak (LW) #71 - scheduled to return to the lineup after being sidelined by a knee injury on December 14. He had 6 goals and 14 points in 33 regular season games prior to his injury.
Chandler Yakimowicz (RW) #153. Joined the team in late December and had 3 goals, 7 points and a plus/minus rating of 11 in 33 regular season games. He scored 2 goals in 9 playoff games.

NHL Prospects To Watch: (G) Anthony Stolarz (Philadelphia Flyers, 2012).
(D) - Defense: Nikita Zadorov (Buffalo Sabres, 2013), Brady Austin (Buffalo Sabres, 2012).
(F) Gemel Smith (Dallas Stars, 2012), Max Domi (Phoenix Coyotes, 2013), Michael McCarron (Montreal Canadiens, 2013),
Bo Horvat (Vancouver Canucks, 2013), Ryan Rupert (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2012), Chris Tierney (San Jose Sharks, 2012),
Josh Anderson (Columbus Blue Jackets, 2012).

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Guelph Storm - Ontario Hockey League Champions -

The Storm won their first league title since 2004 when Kerby Rychel (Columbus Blue Jackets) connected with 26.3 seconds remaining in the third period for a 4-3 victory against the North Bay Battalion in Game #5 on May 9.

Robert Fabbri (C) #21 - The 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, was the OHL's Playoff MVP after scoring 13 goals, 15 assists, 6 PPGs, plus/minus rating of +16 in 16 games.
Phil Baltisberger (D) #197 - had 2 goals, 5 points and a plus/minus rating of +18 rating in 20 playoff games.
Matthew Mancina (G) #12 - owns a 2.98 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in two playoff games for the Knights.

NHL Prospects To Watch: (D) Matthew Finn (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2012), Ben Harpur (Ottawa Senators, 2013),
Zachary Leslie (Los Angeles Kings, 2013), Nick Ebert (Los Angeles Kings, 2012).
(F) Jason Dickinson (Dallas Stars, 2013), Kerby Rychel (Columbus Blue Jackets, 2013), Tyler Bertuzzi (Detroit Red Wings, 2013),
Justin Auger (Los Angeles Kings, 2013), Brock McGinn (Carolina Hurricanes, 2012), Zachary Mitchell (Minnesota Wild, FA),
Scott Kosmachuk (Winnipeg Jets, 2012).

 

[LaxSabre]

Edmonton Oil Kings - Western Hockey League Champions -

The Oil Kings scored a 4-2 road victory against the Winterhawks in Game #7 of the WHL championship round to hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup. This despite losing 10 key players from last year's team that was beaten by Portland in the WHL final.

Brett Pollock (LW) #34 - Pollock had 11 goals, 19 points and a plus/minus rating of +11 rating in 21 playoff games.
Edgars Kulda (RW) #145 - Has 10 goals, 22 points and a plus/minus rating of +14 rating in 21 games.
Dysin Mayo (D) #82 - 3 goals and 15 points. Aaron Irving (D) #90 - had 3 assists.

NHL Prospects To Watch - (G) Tristan Jarry (Pittsburgh Penguins, 2013).
(D) Cody Corbett (Colorado Avalanche, FA), Griffin Reinhart (New York Islanders, 2012).
(F) Henrik Samuelsson (Phoenix Coyotes, 2012), Curtis Lazar (Ottawa Senators, 2013), Mitchell Moroz (Edmonton Oilers, 2012).
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Val-D'Or Foreurs - Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Champions -

Forward Anthony Mantha, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, scored with 52 seconds remaining in the third period to lead the Foreurs to a dramatic 4-3 victory against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in Game #7 of the President's Cup series to capture the league championship on May 13. Mantha has 24 goals, 38 points and a plus/minus rating of +17 rating in 24 playoff games for the Foreurs, who will look to win a fourth consecutive Memorial Cup for the QMJHL.

Louick Marcotte (LW) #198 - had 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) and a plus/minus ratings of +16 rating in 24 playoff games.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel (D) #40 - had 4 goals, 13 points and a plus/minus rating of +10.
Keven Bouchard (G) #10 - made one brief appearance in the playoffs and stopped 5 of 6 shots in 14:04 of action.

NHL Prospects To Watch: (G) Antoine Bibeau (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2013).
(D) Ryan Graves (New York Rangers, 2013). (F) Anthony Mantha (Detroit Red Wings, 2013).

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=719344&navid=nhl:topheads

 

[LaxSabre]

Team Preview - London Knights - Ontario Hockey League - Host Team -
"Third-Times A Charm For Knights" - Ryan Pyette - Prospects Magazine/MastercardMemorialCup.ca

Bo Horvat already has his own frozen-in-time major junior hockey moment. He scored the buzzer-beating, third-period goal to win Game 7 of the OHL final against the Barrie Colts last spring at Budweiser Gardens. He’ll be telling his grandkids about it some day. That’s got to be the ultimate feeling, right?

Well, not quite. The London Knights forward has a final chapter to write before he joins the Vancouver Canucks. His eyes are fixed on the Canadian Hockey League’s top prize. “Any player who goes to three Memorial Cups and to not win one, it’s not the greatest [legacy],” the 19-year-old from Rodney, Ont., said, “and it would stick in the back of my mind the rest of my life. You want to win at least one.”

The hunger remains.

Yes, the Knights are back, this time as MasterCard Memorial Cup hosts. Unlike the previous two trips, the Knights have qualified as hosts after a second-round playoff loss to the Guelph Storm.

This remodelled crew, still sprinkled with familiar faces - Horvat, up-and-coming Phoenix Coyote Max Domi, big Russian Buffalo Sabre-to-be Nikita Zadorov and the pesky Rupert twins Matt and Ryan - will take its third straight crack at MasterCard Memorial Cup magic. This group has been fueled since last fall by two overarching themes: the belief the rest of the OHL is sick and tired of them winning, and the unwillingness to accept becoming known as the puck version of the Super Bowl’s Buffalo Bills.

“We haven’t won a Memorial Cup and we’ve been there twice,” said Horvat, as if everyone needs another reminder. “To have that automatic berth, we want to win this time.”

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/third-time-charm-for-knights/162594
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Team Preview - Guelph Storm - Ontario Hockey League Champions -
"Precise Forecast" - Patrick King - Prospects Magazine/MastercardMemorialCup.ca

Mike Kelly vividly remembers planting the seeds for a championship. It was early January of 2011 and Kelly had taken over as general manager of the Guelph Storm just two months prior. The culture within the dressing room was not what it needed to be, and Kelly was in the process of redefining the franchise when he pulled his three youngest players into a meeting. He was calling on 16-year-olds Matt Finn, Scott Kosmachuk and Brock McGinn to lead the culture change and embody the new direction of the Storm.

“He told Scott, Brock and myself we were the future of the organization and he [wanted] to build a team around us,” Finn recalled recently, “and we were the next wave of leaders and players that were going to hopefully bring a championship to Guelph.”

The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Kelly recognized the message was similar to the one he’d instilled in 1991, when the franchise relocated from Hamilton and he was named the first GM in Storm history. Many of the values were the same in 2011, when his second term as the team’s GM began, but somewhere along the way individual success had begun taking priority over team success.

“It wasn’t a case of being broken,” Kelly said, “we just had to refine a little bit.”

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/precise-forecast/162595

 

[LaxSabre]

Team Preview - Edmonton Oil Kings - Western Hockey League Champions -
"Back On The Throne" - Dave Cameron - Prospects Magazine/MastercardMemorialCup.ca

Three Edmonton Oil Kings teams, three straight WHL finals, two WHL titles and a second MasterCard Memorial Cup appearance. Three’s company, right? Of course there are similarities - 50 wins and first place in each season - but this is junior hockey and turnover means it’s three distinct chapters, beyond just keeping the ol’ gang together.

As players change, the trick is keeping intangibles intact. “The other two teams were pretty special hockey teams,” said head coach Derek Laxdal, one of the tangibles. “It’s refreshing to see the change of personnel but to still see the similar results.”

Before we look at this year’s model, let’s touch on the first two -

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/back-on-the-throne/162596
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Team Preview - Val-d’Or Foreurs - Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Champions -
"Surprise Gold" - Willy Palov - Prospects Magazine/MastercardMemorialCup.ca

Sometimes the dark horse goes all the way. During a QMJHL season when most of the buzz surrounded front runners like the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Halifax Mooseheads, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Rimouski Oceanic, the Val-d’Or Foreurs quietly went about their business under the radar. Yes, they garnered a bit more attention down the stretch when a late surge pushed them into third overall in the standings. But even then the best they could get was second-tier contender status in most corners.

“It was a team effort,” said Val-d’Or head coach Mario Durocher. “I think a lot of people were talking about different teams all the time and maybe forgot about us a little bit. But that was okay for us. We had a pretty good first half and got some confidence, then we challenged our guys to take another step and be even better, and they did it. We started to work together a lot more as a team, and I think we deserve everything we got. The guys earned it and I’m proud of them.”

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/surprise-gold/162597

 

[Woodhouse]

For a quick overview of the drafted and undrafted prospects in this year's Memorial Cup, read this preview from McKeen's: 2014 Memorial Cup – Prospects to Watch.

Nikita Zadorov (Sabres – 2013, 16th overall) The only NHL drafted player on the Knights with NHL experience (seven games), Nikita Zadorov is undoubtedly the most crucial defender on their blueline. His offensive game has progressed to new heights and he’s still capable of intimidating with his bone-crushing open-ice hits.

Brady Austin (Sabres – 2012, 193rd overall) Cleared to play after battling mononucleosis, overage defenseman Brady Austin is a huge returnee to what was a spotty blue line. After dealing with his illness and the passing of his father, Austin and his teammates will be playing inspired hockey.

 

[LaxSabre]

Players To Watch At Mastercard Memorial Cup - The Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Wednesday, May 14.

Anthony Mantha, Val-d’Or Foreurs - At six foot five and 204 pounds, the QMJHL’s most valuable player scored 57 goals in the regular season. The Detroit Red Wings prospect was also Canada’s leading scorer at the World Junior Championships.

Robbi Fabbri, Guelph Storm - The 18-year-old centre from Mississauga, Ont., was the OHL’s playoff MVP with 13 goals and 15 assists in 16 games. His stock is rising for the NHL draft in June.

Chris Tierney, London Knights - The San Jose Sharks draft pick was a top producer in the regular season and playoffs for the host Knights. The Knights captain was also voted the Western Conference’s smartest player in an OHL coaches’ poll.

Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings - The WHL’s playoff MVP is the catalyst for Edmonton’s smothering defence. The defenceman is a first-round draft pick of the New York Islanders.

Kerby Rychel, Guelph Storm - A first-round draft pick of Columbus Blue Jackets, Rychel was a clutch goalscorer for the Storm in their OHL championship series against North Bay.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/five-players-to-watch-at-2014-memorial-cup/

Mastercard Memorial Cup - Buring Questions - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 15 -
How will experience benefit the Edmonton Oil Kings? Will talent alone be enough for the Guelph Storm?
Can the Knights recapture the glory from 2005? Do the Foreurs have the secondary scoring to keep up?
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/mastercard-memorial-cup-burning-questions/

From Start To Finish, Every Shift Matters - Gare Joyce - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 15 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/every-shift-matters-at-mastercard-memorial-cup/

Foreurs Riding High Heading Into Tilt With Knights - Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 15 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/foreurs-riding-high-heading-into-tilt-vs-knights/

Stolarz Returns From Suspension - Will Start For Knights In Memorial Cup - Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 15 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juni...to-start-memorial-cup-opener-val-dor-foreurs/

 

[Woodhouse]

London Knight Nikita Zadorov feeling more confident for his second Memorial Cup appearance:

“I feel more like a leader,†he said. “When I came, I was a shutdown (defender). I was just the third pair defensive pair. Now I’m a top four, play a lot more and have a lot of ice time. When I came I didn’t play a lot of offence. Now I play a lot more.

“I’ve played at a different level in the NHL and I feel like I should do the best for my team.â€

Confidence is not something lacking in Zadorov. He believes in his abilities. His stint in the NHL has only made him more confident in what he can do.

“The NHL is the biggest level in the world,†he said. “I know how to play there and it’s helped me a lot. It’s more easy to play here right now.â€

How confident is he? In Game 1, Zadorov will be facing the Foreurs’ Anthony Mantha, a young man who tore it up during the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season and playoffs. Mantha had 57 goals and 120 points in 57 games, along with 24 goals in 24 games in the playoffs.

Zadorov has played against Mantha in the world junior tournament and top prospects’ games.

He was asked what he had to do to shut Mantha down. Zadorov responded to the affect that it wasn’t like playing “against Sidney Crosby.â€

Yeah, you’ve got to love the big guy.

Zadorov with his usual swagger.

 

[OkimLom]

Zadorov best be careful. You don't want his head to get to big, or he'll bolt to Russia.

 

[LaxSabre]

Kris Baker ‏@SabresProspects - Nikita Zadorov and Brady Austin set to go in tonight's Memorial Cup opener. Check out the tourney primer - http://www.sabresprospects.com/2014/05/zadorov-austin-ready-for-memorial-cup.html

Action at the 2014 Memorial Cup kicks off Friday with the host London Knights taking on QMJHL champion Val-d’Or. As has been the case in recent years, the Buffalo Sabres will be well represented with two prospects, Nikita Zadorov and Brady Austin, expected to play key roles on the Knights blue line.

The Knights are rested and relatively healthy following a second round exit from the OHL playoffs. In the series loss to eventual league winner Guelph, Zadorov looked a bit fatigued by the final game after logging over 30 minutes a night as the Knights competed without overage defenders Zach Bell (broken leg in opening round) and Austin, who missed the series with mononucleosis. Both Bell and Austin will be ready to go, as is Zadorov, who received a few stitches two weeks ago when he cut by a skate in practice. The towering Zadorov collected four goals and nine points in nine playoff games.

The Knights, who have been idle since April 11, boasts a star-studded lineup that includes forwards Max Domi (Phoenix), Bo Horvat (Vancouver), Josh Anderson (Columbus), Chris Tierney (San Jose), Michael McCarron (Montreal), Gemel Smith (Dallas), Ryan Rupert (Toronto), and goaltender Anthony Stolarz (Philadelphia).

London was unable to win their league title, but they are still a strong contender to take home the Memorial Cup on home ice, especially if Zadorov can be a dominant force in his own end much like he was for Russia at the 2014 World Junior Championship.

The 2014 Memorial Cup is the seventh straight year and thirteen out of the last fourteen years that at least one Sabres draft pick will play at the annual event. (LaxSabre - Five of those years, they had two draftees playing - 2014, 2011, 2005, 2004, 2001.)

2014 - Nikita Zadorov, Brady Austin (London). 2013 - Andrey Makarov (Saskatoon).
2012 - Mark Pysyk (Edmonton). 2011 - Brayden McNabb (Kootenay), Gregg Sutch (Mississauga-St. Mike's).
2010 - Zack Kassian (Windsor). 2009 - Tyler Myers (Kelowna). 2008 - Paul Byron (Gatineau).
2007 - none. 2006 - Patrick Kaleta (Peterborough). 2005 - Dylan Hunter (London), Mike Card (Kelowna).
2004 - Clarke MacArthur (Medicine Hat), Daniel Paille (Guelph). 2003 - Derek Roy (Kitchener).
2002 - Gerard Dicaire (Kootenay). 2001 - Karel Mosovsky (Regina), Seneque Hyacinthe (Val-d'Or).

 

[LaxSabre]

Knights’ Commemorative Jersey Online Auction - Thursday, May 15 - MastercardMemorialCup.ca

London, Ontario - The Canadian Hockey League in association with the London Knights Hockey Club unveiled today the specially designed commemorative jerseys to be worn by the Knights in the opening game of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup against the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Friday May 16. The jerseys will be available for online auction at auction.chl.ca beginning Thursday May 15 at 6:00 pm ET and closes Monday May 26 at 7:00 pm ET Eastern.

The opening game jerseys were designed by the Knights in conjunction with the CHL to pay tribute to the Infantry School Corps. On December 21, 1883, General Order No. 26 authorized the formation of three schools of infantry, to be formed into one Corps, to be known as the Infantry School Corps. The front crest of the theme jersey is an exact replica of the first helmet plate worn by members of the Infantry School Corps in 1883. An original helmet plate currently resides in the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ontario.

Proceeds from the auction will go towards the District A Care and Comfort Legion Fund. This legion fund helps support for the care and comfort of the Veterans at Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario. The MasterCard Memorial Cup Theme Jersey Program was created in 2008 and have cumulatively generated over $110,000 for various legion activities.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/knights-commemorative-jersey-online-auction/162612

@MCMemorialCup - Every ceremonial puck drop will include active and retired military.
Here is a preview for tonight - http://www.budweisergardens.com/blog/mcmemorial-cup-preview-friday-may-16-2014

LaxSabre - NHL Network-United States should be showing tonights game LIVE. Some schedules lists a CHL Prospects Game from Calgary being on instead - that will not be the case. Unfortunately tonights game will be one of just three games being shown LIVE on NHL Network-United States. Sundays game and the Championship game are the other two games. All the other games will be shown on a one day tape delay.

 

[LaxSabre]

The Lucky Ones - Two Knights Forunate To Escape NHL - Gare Joyice - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 16.

London Knights stars Nikita Zadorov and Bo Horvat got cut from their NHL teams this season = good thing.

In a quiet dressing room otherwise occupied by dour half-undressed men, Nikita Zadorov, then 18, beamed. He had just played his first NHL regular-season game, 11 largely uneventful minutes during which he managed to avoid coughing up the puck and levelled three hits that winded members of the Colorado Avalanche. Sure, Zadorov’s Buffalo Sabres had lost 4–2, but Colorado was the winningest team in the league at that juncture and fans at the First Niagara Center took solace in the fact their lowly regarded heroes had kept it close.

As the Sabres hung up their skates and began their retreat into the backrooms, away from notepads and television cameras, the veterans glanced over at Zadorov, not begrudging him his moment or innocence. "I’m never nervous before the game," he told reporters. "It’s my life to play hockey. I did a pretty good job in the pre-season and the coaches saw that. I think they think I’m ready to go."

Making the NHL straight out of junior hockey as Zadorov did last fall is the dream of teenage hockey players. But staying in Buffalo would have been a waking nightmare for the Moscow native. Perhaps the luckiest break in Zadarov’s young life came when the Sabres sent him back to junior after he’d played seven games in the NHL.

Bo Horvat, Zadarov’s teammate in junior, was similarly fortunate when reassigned to London from the Vancouver Canucks camp. In most cases these moves would be classified as demotions or exiles. Instead they were, for both players, escapes from toxic situations, refuge found with the Canadian Hockey League’s London Knights, who are about to play in their fourth MasterCard Memorial Cup in 10 years. Though they take the bus rather than charter flights, the ostensibly amateur Knights could teach lessons in professionalism to a few NHL teams.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/the-lucky-ones-two-knights-forunate-to-escape-nhl/

Can Knights Cool Down Hot Mantha? - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 16 - http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/can-knights-slow-down-streaking-mantha/

Remembering The Worst Team In CHL History - 1995-1996 London Knights-Record-3-60-3 - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 16 - http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/remembering-the-worst-team-in-chl-history/

 

[Woodhouse]

Val d'Or vs London - Lines and Pairings:

 

[Paxon]

Stream? Doesn't look like they're doing a free promotion for the official service.

 

[Beerz]

Stream? Doesn't look like they're doing a free promotion for the official service.

not the greatest...

http://cricfree.tv/sportsnet-ontario-live-stream.php

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Stream? Doesn't look like they're doing a free promotion for the official service.

The game is on NHL Network in the US.

 

[Paxon]

not the greatest...

http://cricfree.tv/sportsnet-ontario-live-stream.php

Thanks

The game is on NHL Network in the US.

Thanks, but I can't do TV right now unfortunately. Too bad that VLC stream for NHL network no longer workls (afaik).

 

[Woodhouse]

Austin's #57 here, as Mantha goes around him with speed to score the lone goal so far:

 

[LaxSabre]

Mastercard Memorial Cup Result - Game #1 - Friday, May 16 - Val'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 1 - London Knights (OHL-Host) - 0.

Foreurs Blank Knights 1-0-MasterCard Memorial Cup Opener - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Friday, May 16.

The Val-d’Or Foreurs opened the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup with a 1-0 victory over the host London Knights before a sold-out crowd of 8,863 at Budweiser Gardens. Despite registering 51 shots on goal, the Knights were unable to find the score sheet facing a strong performance between the pipes from Toronto Maple Leaf prospect Antoine Bibeau. Detroit Red Wings’ prospect Anthony Mantha scored at the 16:20 mark of the first period as he charged hard to the net, finishing off a 3-on-2 passing play, which held as the game-winner.

A pivotal point in the game came at the 6:07 mark of the third period when Knight’s forward Bo Horvat, a Vancouver Canuck first round pick, was awarded a penalty shot, but was stopped by Bibeau who made 18 of his 51 saves in the final frame to earn first star honours. Bibeau’s shutout marks the first in a MasterCard Memorial Cup since 2011, while his 51 saves is also the most ever recorded in a tournament shutout performance.

The Foreurs pick up their first win in a MasterCard Memorial Cup since May 26, 2001, when they defeated the Regina Pats 5-4 in the tournament Semi-Final. The Knights’, who are competing in their third straight MasterCard Memorial Cup, become the sixth straight host team to open the championship with a loss. Both teams have Saturday off before the Knights set their sights on a matchup against the WHL champion Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday, while the Foreurs will return to action on Monday as they face off against the OHL champion Guelph Storm.

The Knights wore special opening night commemorative jerseys paying tribute to the Infantry School Corps. Pre-game ceremonies included Knights’ alumnus and Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, and a musical performance by The Trews.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca...ghts-in-mastercard-memorial-cup-opener/162630

Game #1 Summary - Foreurs 1 Knights 0 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/show/game/66878
Game #1 Scoresheet - Foreurs 1 Knights 0 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/scoresheet/game/66878

Game #1 Highlights - Foreurs 1 Knights 0 - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/video/index/id/7c8659e3e1da806e27c4780717257a0b

 

[LaxSabre]

Knights Outshoot Foreurs But Can't Win Game #1 - Lose 1-0 - LondonKnights.com - Friday, May 16.

The QMJHL playoff MVP kept right on rolling as the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup got underway on Friday night at Budweiser Gardens in London. Antoine Bibeau made 51 saves as the Val-d’Or Foreurs topped the London Knights 1-0.

The Knights created lots of solid scoring chances in the first period, but could not find the back of the net. Val-d’Or did not have the same number of opportunities, but made good on one of their best as the QMJHL’s leading scorer, Anthony Mantha burst toward the London Knight net from the right side and beat Stolarz at 16:20. Mantha would come very close on a second big chance as the puck kicked off a skate, deep in the London end and wound up on the stick of Louick Marcotte. Marcotte fed Mantha and he hit the post.

The first period shots ended up 20-9 in favour of London. The second period featured an excellent pace, some power play opportunities, but no goals. Antoine Bibeau stood big in the third period, stopping several London chances including a penalty shot by Bo Horvat. The Knights pulled Stolarz with 1:56 remaining and created chances, but could not solve Bibeau, the Maple Leafs’ draft pick. The final shots favoured the Knights 51-28. The Knights will now face the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday. Val-d’Or will be off until Monday when they will tangle with the Guelph Storm.

http://www.londonknights.com/article/knights-outshoot-foreurs-but-cant-win-game-1
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Memorial Cup - Val d’Or Foreurs Goaltender Antoine Bibeau Stops 51 Shots In 1-0 Shutout -
Ryan Pyette - The London Free Press - LFPress.com - Friday, May 16.

The London Knights ended their fairy tale 2005 Memorial Cup with a shutout win over Sidney Crosby’s Rimouski Oceanic. This time, it opens with a hair-pulling goose egg against Antoine Bibeau. The Val-d’Or goaltending hero and Maple Leafs prospect stopped 51 shots, including a Bo Horvat third-period penalty shot, to lead the exhausted Quebec league champion Foreurs to a 1-0 squeaker over the Cup hosts before 8,663 Friday night at Budweiser Gardens.

“He stoned us,” Horvat, the Vancouver first-rounder, said. “He kept them in the game at times. We had at least 10 missed nets, too, so we could’ve had 60 shots. We shouldn’t be missing the net on prime opportunities like that. “They capitalized on their one chance they had and we couldn’t bear down.”

It was London’s first Cup loss on home ice after a perfect run nine years ago. It was the first time in four tournament appearances Dale Hunter’s team dropped its opening game. It’s also the first Cup shutout since Owen Sound’s Jordan Binnington against Kootenay in the 2001 event at Mississauga.

http://www.lfpress.com/2014/05/16/v...-antoine-bibeau-stops-51-shots-in-1-0-shutout

 

[LaxSabre]

Foreurs Win MasterCard Memorial Cup Opener - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 16.

London, Ontario - Antoine Bibeau bought the Val-d’Or Foreurs valuable time at the Memorial Cup with his 51-save shutout Friday. Val-d’Or didn’t have a full tank mentally or physically in a 1-0 win over the host London Knights to kick off the tournament.They’d won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title in a Game #7 on Tuesday in Baie-Comeau, Que. But Bibeau’s heroics allow the Foreurs to rest on that important first win of the tournament for two days before facing the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm on Monday.

"It really was Bibeau who made the difference tonight," Foreurs forward Anthony Mantha said. "Winning this game gives us a little break, gives us two days off and we come back strong on Monday. It’s just a confidence-builder for our team in general." Mantha, a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, scored in the first period for his 82nd goal in as many games for the Foreurs this season.

Among Bibeau’s pivotal saves was getting his blocker on a penalty-shot attempt by London forward Bo Horvat early in the third period and stopping Knights captain Chris Tierney on a breakaway in the first. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect faced an average of 40 shots a game in the final four games of the QMJHL final series against the Drakkar, which set him up for Friday’s performance. "In the last couple of weeks I was used to receiving lots of shots, so I think I was just ready and I was just trying to give the team a chance to win tonight," Bibeau said. "We wanted to get the first win as quick as possible."

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/foreurs-win-mastercard-memorial-cup-opener/

Bibeau Puts On Goalie Clinic For Val-d’Or - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 16 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/bibeau-puts-on-goalie-clinic-for-val-dor/

Tonights Memorial Cup Game - 4:00 pm ET - Guelph Storm (OHL-Champions) vs Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions).
TV - Canada - LIVE on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific. United States.
Tape Delay on NHL Network-United States - Saturday, May 17 - 7:30 pm ET. (Replay - Sunday, May 18 - 12:00 pm ET.)

(LaxSabre - Yeah for Same-Day Tape Delay! - was planning on following LIVE via twitter but now I can wait until the game is shown on the telle. Rooting for the Oil Kings here as I became a fan of them the last few years due to Mark Pysyk playing for them.)

 

[26CornerBlitz]

@JeffMarek

Lines and D pairings for this afternoons Guelph vs Edmonton game. 4ET on Sportsnet

 

[LaxSabre]

Mastercard Memorial Cup Result - Game #2 - Saturday, May 17 -
Guelph Storm (OHL-Champions) 5 - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 2.

Storm Skate To 5-2 Win Over Oil Kings - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Saturday, May 17.

The Guelph Storm skated to a convincing 5-2 win against the Edmonton Oil Kings on day two of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup. The Storm were led by their left wingers on this night, as Kerby Rychel and Tyler Bertuzzi both tallied two goals each, while Brock McGinn added another goal, instrumental in getting that all important first win.

The win marks the first victory for the OHL Champion Guelph Storm in their last eight MasterCard Memorial Cup games dating back to 2002 when they were the host team before going winless in the 2004 event in Kelowna.

A physical first period led to a late Storm goal as Rychel scored a power play tally with just 4.2 seconds left beating Edmonton Oil Kings goalie and Pittsburgh Penguin prospect Tristan Jarry on the blocker side. The Oil Kings bounced back early in the second period getting goals from Phoenix Coyote draft pick Henrik Samuelsson and then Ashton Sautner, just 27 seconds apart.

A lucky goal for the Storm, while shorthanded, would turn the tides as Oil Kings forward Mads Eller’s clearing attempt bounced off of Rychel, then Jarry, and into the net at the 7:40 mark of the second to tie the game at two. The Storm would add one more goal in the second period and two more in the third to put the game out of reach.

While the Storm have a day off before they face QMJHL Champion Val-d’Or Foreurs on Monday, the Oil Kings have less than 24 hours to regroup as they take on the host London Knights with both clubs aiming for their first win on Sunday at 7:00 pm ET on Sportsnet. (Game will also be LIVE on NHL-Network in the United States.)

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/storm-skate-to-5-2-win-over-oil-kings/162659

Game #2 Summary - Storm 5 Oil Kings 2 - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/show/game/66879
Game #2 Scoresheet - Storm 5 Oil Kings 2 - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/scoresheet/game/66879

Game #2 Highlights - Storm 5 Oil Kings 2 - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/video/index/id/b1a734987d8bec1ae529b9b2175be791

 

[LaxSabre]

Storm Post Opening Victory At Memorial Cup - Brendan Zwambag - GuelphStorm.com - Saturday, May 17 -
http://www.guelphstorm.com/article/storm-post-opening-victory-at-memorial-cup

Oil Kings Fall In Memorial Cup Opener - Marc Ciampa - OilKings.ca - Saturday, May 17 -
http://www.guelphstorm.com/article/storm-post-opening-victory-at-memorial-cup

Rychel, Bertuzzi Each Score Twice In Storm win - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Saturday, May 17.

London, Ontario - Three left-wingers from hockey families scored for the Guelph Storm in their 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Memorial Cup on Saturday. Kerby Rychel and Tyler Bertuzzi each contributed a pair of goals and Brock McGinn added another for the Ontario Hockey League champions. Kerby is the son of Warren Rychel, a former NHL winger. Bertuzzi is the nephew of Detroit Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi and McGinn is the brother of Colorado Avalanche forward Jamie McGinn.

Storm defenceman Nick Ebert assisted on two goals and goalie Justin Nichols stopped 37 shots in the victory. Henrik Samuelsson and Ashton Sautner replied for the Oil Kings, who won this year’s Westerm Hockey League title. Goalie Tristan Jarry stopped 27 shots in the loss.

The Oil Kings play their second game in as many days when they face the host London Knights on Sunday. Both teams are still looking for their first win of the tournament as the Knights opened with a 1-0 loss to the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Friday. The Storm face Val-d’Or on Monday.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/rychel-bertuzzi-each-score-twice-in-storm-win/

Storm Beat Oil Kings At Their Own Game - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Saturday, May 17 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/storm-beat-oil-kings-at-their-own-game/

 

[LaxSabre]

Game #3 - Sunday, May 18 - London Knights (OHL-Host) vs Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) - 7:00 pm ET.

Preview - Knights-Oil Kings Look For Their First Tournament Win - Aaron Bell - MastercardMemorial.ca - Sunday, May 18 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca...gs-look-for-their-first-tournament-win/162669

It doesn't take long for the stakes to get high at the MasterCard Memorial Cup and both the London Knights and Edmonton Oil Kings are feeling that on Day #3 of the championship. The host Knights dropped their tournament opening to the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Friday and the WHL champion Oil Kings lost their first game to the Guelph Storm on Saturday. The Knights and Oil Kings meet in Game #3 on Sunday (7:00 pm ET on Sportsnet East/Ontario/West/Pacific and NHL Network-United States.) with both teams desperate to claim their first win of the tournament.

Both teams came into the tournament with question marks - although they faced polar opposite problems. The Knights have been idle since their second round playoff loss to the Storm five weeks ago while the Oil Kings had to make a quick turn-around after defeating the Portland Winterhawks in Game 7 of the WHL final on Monday.

We have to reset," Oil Kings' coach Derek Laxdal said after last night's 5-2 loss to the Storm. "When we walk out of here tonight we have to start prepping for London." Laxdal thinks his team has more to show than they did in their opener. "I wouldn't say we played our "A" game tonight, maybe a "B+" so we can get a lot better in certain areas," he said. "That's a positive for us. It's going to be a big crowd here tomorrow night and we have to be ready to respond and be better than we were tonight."

The Knights didn't take long to shake off the rust in the opener against the Foreurs. They fired 51 shots on net but couldn't solve Antoine Bibeau and dropped a 1-0 decision. Knights coach Dale Hunter said that his group was ready to play after their long layoff. "They were eager from being off for 35 days - they were ready to go," he said. "We got a lot of rubber on them and played pretty well. We maintained a lot of pressure on them and had our chances. We just didn't bury them. Their goalie came up big."

Broadcast Coverage: Watch live on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific, as well as TVA Sports and NHL Network in the United States. Listen LIVE on Sportsnet Radio, or watch the webcast via NeuLion.