Cataractes, Oil Kings can clinch tonight

Ghyslain Bergeron/QMJHL

Two spots in the 2022 Memorial Cup tournament could be secured tonight.

The Shawinigan Cataractes and Edmonton Oil Kings carry 3-1 series leads into their respective Game 5s tonight. The Cataractes visit the Charlottetown Islanders at 5 p.m. while the Oil Kings host the Seattle Thunderbirds at 10 p.m. Both games are on TSN.

The Cataractes failed to clinch their first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title on Thursday on home ice, falling 7-0. Shawinigan, having won the first three games of the series, still have the odds in their favour. It's been a tight series though, one that could easily have the Islanders up 3-1 right now.

The Cataractes will be without one of their top defenseman, Zachary Massicotte, due to a one-game suspension for a check to the head.

Cataractes Zachary Massicotte has been assessed a 5-minute major and game misconduct for a check to the head on Islanders Ben Boyd.#PresidentCup pic.twitter.com/cJWiEKstiW

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 10, 2022

In the Western Hockey League, the Oil Kings have won three straight games after losing the series opener. A win tonight would send them to the Memorial Cup for the first time since 2014.

The Thunderbirds will be without their captain for the next two games.

Tyrel Bauer captain of @SeattleTbirds has been suspended two games for this hit on @EdmOilKings forward Brendan Kuny on Wednesday. Kuny is out injured for the rest of the series. @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/D4zxg0E5N6

— Derek Van Diest (@DerekVanDiest) June 10, 2022

The remaining three games of the WHL final will all be played in Edmonton due to graduation ceremonies booking up Seattle's arena. The Thunderbirds will be the designated home team in Game 6 (if needed).

In the Ontario Hockey League, the Hamilton Bulldogs evened up the league final with a 3-2 overtime win over the Windsor Spitfires last night. The Bulldogs tied the game with their net empty at 18:03 of the third period and then Gavin White won the contest by scoring at 7:31 of overtime.

Game 5 of the series takes place Sunday at 3 p.m. in Hamilton. That game can be seen on TSN.

With the series now tied 2-2, there will be at least a Game 6, which is scheduled for Monday. That's good news for the Saint John Sea Dogs, who will open the Memorial Cup against the OHL champion.

The Sea Dogs will be joined by the three league champions at the Memorial Cup. The tournament begins June 20 at TD Station.