Remparts blank Thunderbirds to capture 2023 Memorial Cup
The Quebec Remparts received goals from five different players and William Rousseau stopped all 32 shots he faced in a 5-0 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds in the final game of the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia.
This marks the first time one of the CHL’s three member leagues has captured the national title four straight times.
Vsevolod Komarov, James Malatesta, Kassim Gaudet, Zachary Bolduc and Charles Savoie each scored for the Remparts, who had previously earned the Memorial Cup in 1971 and 2006. Malatesta, the QMJHL Playoff MVP, would also skate away with the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Komarov, Gaudet and Bolduc also added assists in the outing, while captain Théo Rochette recorded a pair of helpers. Thomas Milic made 30 saves for the WHL Champions.
Though the Thunderbirds finished the first period with a 10-9 edge in shots, it was the Remparts, playing their first game since Tuesday, who held a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. Komarov jumped up in the play with Gaudet to initiate a two-on-one, which the Buffalo prospect converted on at the 6:31 mark for his first goal of the tournament.
The middle frame also featured just one goal and, once again, it was in favour of Quebec. The Remparts doubled their lead while playing four-on-four at 8:50. Malatesta, denied on a breakaway just seconds earlier, cruised into the slot on an ensuing rush and buried Rochette’s centering feed for his fifth goal, tying him for the tournament lead in that department. The Remparts outshot the Thunderbirds 12-11 in the middle frame.
The finishing touches came during a third period in which the Remparts provided themselves breathing room, finding the back of the net three times and outshooting Seattle 14-11 in the process. While down a man, a blocked shot by Nicholas Savoie led to a two-on-one break for the Remparts. Justin Robidas sent a cross-crease dish to Gaudet, who cashed in at the 12:21 mark for his third goal of the tournament and second while shorthanded. Bolduc then struck on the power play with 4:03 remaining, unleashing his trademark one-timer that eluded Milic to make it 4-0. Savoie then capped off the scoring with his first of the tournament at 17:55, accepting a drop pass from Rochette before firing a wrist shot from close range.
In addition to its current streak at the tournament, a QMJHL club has captured the Memorial Cup seven times over the past 11 events. The Remparts’ triumph was immediately preceded by wins from the Saint John Sea Dogs (2022), Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (2019) and Acadie-Bathurst Titan (2018).
