Cataractes open tournament with victory

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The streak goes on for Western Hockey League champions.

The Edmonton Oil Kings fell 4-3 to the Shawinigan Cataractes on Tuesday night at the 2022 Memorial Cup at TD Station. It's the 14th straight loss for a WHL champion at the Memorial Cup, a streak dating back to the 2015 tournament.

Things were looking up for the Oil Kings in the second period, grabbing 2-1 and 3-2 leads. But, like at times during the President Cup final, the Cataractes had a strong third period, scoring twice just over a minute apart to take a 4-3 lead - and that's how the game would end.

Shawinigan had solid performances from their top players. Jordan Tourigny, Xavier Bourgault, Pierrick Dube and Olivier Nadeau all scored. Mavrik Bourque had a pair of assists while Bourgault had one. Charles-Antoine Lavallee made 25 stops in the victory.

Edmonton had goals from Luke Prokop, Tyler Horstmann and Cole Miller. Sebastian Cossa made 31 saves in the loss.

The Cataractes, meanwhile, have now won four straight Memorial Cup games - a winning streak that began with a victory over the Oil Kings on May 24, 2012. The team won their final three games of the 2012 tournament to win the trophy on home ice. 

Some notes...

• Edmonton defenseman Carson Golder was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for boarding in the first period. The Cataractes opened the scoring on the power play.
• Shawinigan went 1/5 on the power play while Edmonton went 0/5.
• The Oil Kings won 46/74 faceoffs.
• Former Sea Dogs forward and 2011 Memorial Cup champion Zack Phillips performed the ceremonial puck drop.
• Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa has not allowed more than four goals in a playoff game this year.
• Hockey trick star artist Zac Bell performed during the second intermission.
• Bit surprising to see the CHL using the second half of Shawinigan's goal song during this tournament.
• The 50/50 winner took home $12,183.
• The Sea Dogs face the Oil Kings Wednesday night. Shawinigan returns to action on Thursday when they face the Hamilton Bulldogs.