The Daily: Rudy’s Wildcats Suffer Collapse; Bear Heading to Memorial Cup

The post The Daily: Rudy’s Wildcats Suffer Collapse; Bear Heading to Memorial Cup appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

19-year-old goalie Rudy Guimond defends the net on home ice in Cedar Rapids, IA (Image Courtesy of Cedar Rapids RoughRiders)

A fire alarm sounded in the first period of Game 5 in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Final between Moncton and Chicoutimi. Some Moncton Wildcats fans had to leave their seats for what turned out to be a false alarm.

A different alarm should have sounded in third period because the Moncton Wildcats put themselves in danger of missing a trip to the Memorial Cup because of a disastrous on-ice collapse.

Leading 4-1 going into the third period, the Wildcats lost their way defensively and gave up six goals to lose 7-6 to the Chicoutimi Sauegneens. Detroit prospect goalie Rudy Guimond gave up six goals, although this was a total team collapse. He had 28 saves in the game.

The Chicoutimi squad now takes a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series into Sunday’s Game 6 in Chicoutimi.

Meanwhile, Carter Bear’s Everett Silvertips finished off the Prince Albert Raiders 7-2 to win the Western Hockey League Final and earn a trip to the Memorial Cup. Bear didn’t record a point in the game but had five shots on goal and a penalty. He boasts 22 points in 18 playoff games.

In Case You Missed It

Don’t rule out Anton Johansson challenging for a spot on Detroit’s roster next season.

The Griffins have to score more if they want to beat the Chicago Wolves in this series. Game 2 is tonight in Grand Rapids.

Women’s hockey pioneer Manon Rheaume was named as general manager of Detroit’s new PWHL team. She worked for the Little Caesars AAA team for 11 years.