As the 2025 Memorial Cup nears its playoff stage, all eyes are on the final two round-robin games. With every team still in the running, the last matches are set up perfectly to decide who moves on and who goes home. The tension is high, and the stakes couldn’t be greater.
London Knights vs. Medicine Hat Tigers – Battle for First Place
Scheduled for May 27 at 7 p.m. ET, this matchup will decide who finishes first in the round-robin and earns a direct ticket to the Memorial Cup final.
The London Knights have been in fine form, winning both their games so far. They beat Rimouski with a late goal by Jacob Julien and won a hard-fought overtime thriller against Moncton, where Sam O’Reilly scored the winner. That win made coach Dale Hunter the most successful coach in Memorial Cup history.
The Medicine Hat Tigers, on the other hand, have also been solid. In their opening game against Rimouski, they battled back and forth before Hunter St-Martin scored the winner late in the third. Against Moncton, Ryder Ritchie gave them a 2-0 lead, and Gavin McKenna sealed it with a long-distance empty-net goal.
Both teams are 2-0, and this match will decide the top seed. While a bye to the final is a huge advantage, it doesn’t always guarantee victory. Just last year, London made the final but lost to Saginaw. The Knights will hope for redemption, while Medicine Hat looks to make their first final since 2007 and win their first title since 1988.
Moncton Wildcats vs. Rimouski Oceanic – A Must-Win Showdown
On May 28 at 7 p.m. ET, the final round-robin game will see Moncton take on Rimouski in a rematch of this year’s QMJHL final. This time, the loser’s season ends, while the winner gets one more shot in the semifinal.
Moncton beat Rimouski in the QMJHL final series 4-2 and will be looking to repeat that success. Goalie Mathis Rousseau has been incredible, making 38 and 45 saves in his two Memorial Cup games. He will be the key player again.
Forward Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton’s top scorer in the regular season, hasn’t scored in five games. But with everything on the line, now could be the perfect time for him to shine.
Rimouski, the host team, has struggled in front of their home fans and now needs a big performance to stay alive. They’ll rely on goalie Mathis Langevin to step up and hope for some big offensive moments. They’ve beaten Moncton before, but they’ll need to bring their best to do it again.
What’s Next After Round-Robin?
The team that finishes first after London vs. Medicine Hat will go straight to the final. The second and third-place teams will battle in the semifinal. The fourth-place team will be eliminated. That’s why these two final games mean everything for every club involved.
The last two round-robin games of the 2025 Memorial Cup promise intense action and emotional highs and lows. London and Medicine Hat are fighting for a direct trip to the final, while Moncton and Rimouski are battling for survival. With so much on the line, fans can expect thrilling moments, standout performances, and unforgettable hockey drama. Whether you’re cheering for the QMJHL underdogs or the OHL and WHL powerhouses, these matchups are must-watch hockey.
