The Medicine Hat Tigers have won the first game of the 2025 Memorial Cup at the Colisee Financiere Sun Life in Rimouski, Quebec on Friday. The Tigers defeated the host team, the Rimouski Oceanic by a score of 5-4. Left winger Hunter St. Martin of Edmonton, Alberta scored the game-winning goal with two minutes and 41 seconds left in the third period to break a 4-4 deadlock. Defensemen Tanner Molendyk of McBride, British Columbia and Veeti Vaisanen picked up the assists.
Oasiz Wiesblatt of Calgary, Alberta led the Tigers with three points as he had three assists. Four other Tigers players had a multi-point game. Defenseman Bryce Pickford of Edmonton had two goals, left winger Gavin McKenna of Whitehorse, Yukon had one goal and one assist for two points, St. Martin had one goal and one assist for two points, and Molendyk had two assists. The other Tigers goal scorer was right winger Ryder Ritchie of Kelowna, British Columbia. Kelowna is hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup. Speaking of 2026, McKenna is projected to be the first overall pick of the 2026 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
On Saturday, the London Knights face the Moncton Wildcats. The Oceanic next play the Knights on Sunday and the Tigers next play the Wildcats on Monday.
