Music: {allcanada} Quebec opens Memorial Cup by edging Kelowna

Friday, May 22, 2015

{allcanada} Quebec opens Memorial Cup by edging Kelowna

Vladimir Tkachev, a prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft, had two assists to help the host Quebec Remparts to a 4-3 win against the Kelowna Rockets in the opening game of the Memorial Cup, played at the Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City.

Nikolas Brouillard, Matt Murphy, Ryan Graves (New York Rangers) and Adam Erne (Tampa Bay Lightning) scored for the Remparts. Goaltender Zachary Fucale (Montreal Canadiens) made 25 saves.

Nicholas Merkley, No. 23 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters for the 2015 draft, had a goal and an assist for Kelowna, the Western Hockey League champions. Gage Quinney and Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) also scored for Kelowna. Goaltender Jackson Whistle made 27 saves.

The Remparts led 2-1 after two periods, and extended their lead when Graves scored shorthanded 2:08 into the third period. Anthony Duclair (Arizona Coyotes) won a race to the puck with Merkley for a breakaway. Whistle stopped his shot but Graves was there to score on the rebound.

Quinney tipped in a point shot by Joshua Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets) for a power-play goal at 12:43 of the third that got the Rockets within one goal, but Erne's empty-net goal restored the Remparts' two-goal lead.

Kelowna had one more chance when Brouillard and Duclair were called for roughing at 19:14 and Draisaitl scored a 6-on-3 power-play goal with 36 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one goal, but the Rockets couldn't get the equalizer.

Tkachev helped Quebec take a 2-0 lead. The 19-year-old, who is No. 159 on Central Scouting's final ranking, set up Brouillard for a slap shot that beat Whistle 5:18 into the first period.

At 13:22 of the second, Tkachev set up Murphy for a shot that Whistle never saw because of a Duclair screen in front.

Merkley's shorthanded goal at 17:56 got the Rockets within 2-1. Cole Linaker won a race for the puck in the Remparts end and set up Merkley with a cross-ice pass for a shot that Fucale got a piece of but couldn't stop.

The tournament continues Saturday with a game between the Oshawa Generals, champions of the Ontario Hockey League, and the Rimouski Oceanic, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champions. Quebec plays Oshawa on Sunday; Kelowna is off until it plays Rimouski on Monday.

2015 Memorial Cup schedule

All times ET

May 22: Quebec 4, Kelowna 3
May 23: Rimouski vs. Oshawa, 4:30 p.m.
May 24: Quebec vs. Oshawa, 4:30 p.m.
May 25: Rimouski vs. Kelowna, 7:30 p.m.
May 26: Oshawa vs. Kelowna, 7:30 p.m.
May 27: Quebec vs. Rimouski, 7:30 p.m.
May 28: Tiebreaker (if necessary), 7:30 p.m.
May 29: Semifinal round, 7:30 p.m.
May 31: Championship, 12:00 p.m.