Quick Hits: May 31, 2023
1) Memorial Cup: The previously winless OHL champion Peterborough Petes stepped up on Tuesday to defeat the previously unbeaten QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts, 4-2, on the next-to-last evening of round-robin play at the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, BC. After a scoreless first period, Peterborough built leads of 2-0 and 3-1 in the second period. The Remparts drew back within a goal by intermission but an early third period insurance goal for Peterborough restored the two-goal margin for the rest of the game.
Flyers prospect JR Avon scored the goal that made it 2-0 at 11:36 of the second period. On the play, the Petes had a 2-on-0 with a trailer making it a 3-on-0. Avon worked a give-and-go with New Jersey Devils 2021 first-round pick Chase Stillman. Receiving a return pass from Stillman, Avon had a slam dunk into the open left side of the net. It was Avon's second goal in three games.
Fellow Flyers prospect Brian Zanetti had primary assists on the third (Avery Hayes) and fourth (Connor Lockhart) Peterborough goals. They were the first and second points of the tournament for the mobile Swiss blueliner.
Quebec captain Theo Rochette, who was a training camp invite by the Flyers last year (although not offered a entry-level contract) was held off the scoreboard in this game after collecting four points (3g, 1a) against the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers. An an overager in the Q this season, Rochette collected 106 points in 65 regular season games and 21 points in 18 playoff games.
Despite Tuesday's outcome, Quebec is already guaranteed of a spot in Sunday's final game. Tonight, the tournament host Blazers will go up against the Thunderbirds. The Petes will play the loser of tonight's game in the first Memorial Cup tiebreaker since the 2015 tourney.
2) Scott Laughton is Jason Myrtetus' guest on Wednesday's edition of Flyers Daily. The interview was recorded on Exit Day after the Flyers season. To listen to the podcast,
click here. Additionally, Brian Smith has a
feature article on Laughton, who
won a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championships and celebrated his 29th birthday yesterday.
3) May 31 in memoriam: Rick MacLeish (January 3, 1950 – May 30, 2016)
Flyers Hall of Fame center/left wing Rick MacLeish passed away at age 66 on this day in 2016. MacLeish had a 50-goal, 100-point season for the Flyers in 1972-73, scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in Game 6 of the 1974 Cup Final against the Boston Bruins, and is fifth in the frachise's all-time scoring list (697 points in 741 regular season games). MacLeish represented the Flyers in the 1976, 1977 and 1980 All-Star Games.
4) Reminder: June 11 is the 2nd annual Flyers Alumni Walk/Run/Stroll at Washington Crossing Historic Park (1638 River Rd, New Hope, PA 18938). 5k and 1k distance courses are available and you can participate either in person or virtually. Proceeds benefit the Flyers Warriors hockey program and the Bucks Country YMCA's Veterans' Wellness Initiative. To register,
click here.
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