**Moncton and Rimouski Clash in Gam 1 of the QMJHL Final**
*May 10, 2025 — Moncton, New Brunswick*
The battle for the President’s Cup is underway — and it started with fireworks. The Moncton Wildcats and the Rimouski Océanic opened Game 1 of the QMJHL Final on Friday night with an intense and physically charged game at the Avenir Centre. In front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 8,000 fans, Moncton pulled off a narrow 4–3 win, setting the tone for what promises to be an epic series.
The matchup featured two of the league’s strongest teams: Moncton, the dominant force from the Maritime Division, against Rimouski, who stunned many by upsetting top-ranked teams in the playoffs. From the opening faceoff, it was clear neither side was willing to give an inch.
**First Period: Fast Start for Océanic**
Rimouski came out flying and opened the scoring just four minutes in with a goal from forward Thomas Belzile, who buried a rebound after a slap shot from Xavier Côté at the blue line. Moncton struggled early to match Rimouski’s pace and aggressive forechecking.
However, spurred on by the home crowd, the Wildcats clawed their way back. Midway through the period, captain Félix Lussier netted the equalizer with a sharp-angle shot that beat Océanic goalie Gabriel D’Aigle.
**Second Period: Momentum Shifts to Moncton**
In the second period, Moncton seized control. The top line of Lussier, Jordan Dumont, and Lukas Martel dominated play and generated several quality chances. Dumont gave the Wildcats the lead on the power play, finishing off a slick feed from Martel behind the net.
Shortly after, Moncton extended the lead to 3–1 with a goal from defenseman Antonin Verreault, who scored his first of the playoffs with a shot that rang off the post and in. Rimouski responded with determination, narrowing the gap late in the period on a quick counterattack capped by rookie sensation Maxime Lavoie.
**Third Period: Drama Until the Final Whistle**
The final period brought heart-pounding tension. Rimouski pressed hard and earned multiple power plays, but Moncton goalie Jacob Steinberg made several spectacular saves to preserve the lead. Still, Rimouski broke through with just under eight minutes to play as Belzile notched his second goal of the night with a perfectly placed wrist shot into the top corner.
Just as overtime seemed inevitable, Moncton struck. With 2:12 remaining, a Rimouski turnover in the neutral zone proved costly. Martel intercepted a pass, skated into space, and found Lussier, who calmly slid the puck past D’Aigle for his second goal of the game — and the game-winner.
**Postgame Reactions**
“This is what you expect in a final,” Lussier said afterward. “Physical, intense, with little room to operate. But we showed character and kept battling. It’s a great start, but it’s only one game.”
Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil was less impressed: “We made too many individual mistakes. At this stage of the season, that gets punished. But we’re not discouraged. This is far from over.”
**What’s Next**
Game 2 of this best-of-seven series takes place Sunday evening, once again in Moncton, before the series shifts to Rimouski for Games 3 and 4. Both teams know momentum can swing quickly in a final like this. The battle for the President’s Cup has begun, and it’s shaping up to be a clash of titans.
Stay tuned for more updates, interviews, and analy
sis from this thrilling QMJHL Final.
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