Silvertips Rally Past Sagueneens in Memorial Cup Opener

The Everett Silvertips commenced their Memorial Cup campaign with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Saturday night, May 23, 2026, in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Western Hockey League (WHL) champions found themselves trailing early but rallied with a decisive second-period performance to secure the win in the opening game for both franchises. This marked the Silvertips' first-ever appearance in the prestigious junior hockey tournament.

Second-Period Surge Propels Silvertips

After a tightly contested first period, the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, champions of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), took a 2-1 lead at 5:39 of the second period thanks to a goal from Alex Huang. However, the Silvertips responded swiftly and powerfully. Lukas Kaplan netted the equalizer just 33 seconds later. The momentum continued as Zackary Shantz gave Everett a 3-2 lead with 6:05 left in the second period, scoring from the left side off Jesse Heslop’s pass from behind the goal. Just 50 seconds after Shantz's goal, Carter Bear extended the lead to 4-2, capitalizing on a turnover and a feed from 16-year-old star Landon DuPont. This rapid-fire scoring surge proved to be the pivotal turning point of the game for Everett. Heslop also contributed an earlier goal for the Silvertips, while Matias Vanhanen sealed the victory with an empty-netter.

Key Contributions and Defensive Stands

Anders Miller was a key figure for the Silvertips in net, making 22 saves to deny the Sagueneens' efforts throughout the contest. The WHL champions demonstrated their offensive depth, with goals coming from multiple players. Shantz, who is committed to St. Cloud State, opened the scoring in the second period off a pass from Heslop. Bear, drafted 13th overall by the Detroit Red Wings last summer, further highlighted the team's talent by converting a turnover into a crucial goal.

Sagueneens' Efforts Fall Short

Chicoutimi, despite their strong start and resilience, ultimately saw their efforts fall short. Christophe Berthelot and Maxim Masse were the other goal scorers for the Sagueneens. Lucas Beckman, Chicoutimi's netminder, stopped 32 shots, but even his solid performance could not hold off Everett's determined offense, which ultimately outshot the Sagueneens 37-25.

Historical Aspirations and Tournament Context

This victory marks a significant milestone for the Everett Silvertips, as it is their franchise's first-ever game in the Memorial Cup. The team is aiming to become the fourth U.S.-based franchise to win the prestigious junior hockey championship. Previous U.S. winners include Portland in 1983 and 1998, Spokane in 1991 and 2008, and Saginaw in 2024. The Silvertips' dominant run through the WHL playoffs, where they lost only two games in four rounds, underscored their strength heading into the tournament.

Both teams had some rest leading into the tournament, with Everett having been off since finishing the WHL playoffs on May 15, and Chicoutimi last playing on May 17.

Tournament Schedule and Next Steps

The Memorial Cup round-robin play began on Friday night, May 22, 2026, with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) champion Kitchener Rangers opening with a 5-0 victory over the host Kelowna Rockets. The Sagueneens will look to rebound on Sunday night when they face the Kelowna Rockets. The Silvertips are set to return to action on Monday night against the Kitchener Rangers.

Match Summary

• Everett Silvertips: 5 | 37 | Anders Miller (22)
• Chicoutimi Sagueneens: 3 | 25 | Lucas Beckman (32)
• Location: Kelowna, B.C.
• Date: May 23, 2026

This Memorial Cup opener sets a high bar for the tournament, showcasing the skill and determination of these top junior hockey teams. The Silvertips' ability to rally from behind in the second period demonstrates their championship mettle and positions them as strong contenders. For fans of junior hockey, this game was a thrilling start to the quest for Canada's national junior championship.

Source: Sportsnet – https://www.sportsnet.ca/memorial-cup/article/silvertips-rally-to-tip-sagueneens-in-memorial-cup-opener-for-both-teams/