MONTRÉAL — A packed Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet in Sherbrooke witnessed a tight Quebec Major Junior Hockey League contest Friday night as the Moncton Wildcats edged the Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2, paced by a remarkable 49-save performance from netminder Jacoby Weiner.
Goalie performance decisive in low-scoring affair
Weiner’s workload underlined the evening: he turned aside nearly every quality chance the Phoenix generated, preserving Moncton’s lead in the late stages and earning First Star honours. Sherbrooke, buoyed by its home crowd of 2,600, got two goals from Ilya Kuzminykh but could not overcome Moncton’s disciplined play and a timely power-play strike.
"goaltending clinic"
The pivotal moment came at 11:56 of the third period when Shayne Gould scored the game-winner for Moncton on a 5-on-3 advantage. Rian Chudzinski also scored on the power play, his eighth of the season, while Jiko Laitinen recorded his first Quebec (Q) goal after a setup from Tommy Coccaro, giving Laitinen his first Q point.
Key facts from the game
- Final score: Moncton Wildcats 3, Sherbrooke Phoenix 2
- Moncton goaltender Jacoby Weiner: 49 saves
- Attendance at Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet: 2,600
- Rian Chudzinski: power-play goal, 8th of season
- Jiko Laitinen: first Q goal
The game underscored how special-teams moments can swing close junior hockey contests. Moncton’s power play supplied two of the Wildcats’ three goals, including the decisive marker on the extended man advantage. For Sherbrooke, Kuzminykh’s two goals kept the game within reach but could not produce the equalizer.
Immediate consequences and schedule
The victory improved the Wildcats’ record to 7-4, continuing a string of one-goal outcomes for the club — their sixth one-goal win this season. Moncton’s trip through Quebec continues with games against Drummondville (Voltigeurs) and Shawinigan (Cataractes) over the weekend, with both contests scheduled as 5 p.m. Atlantic Time starts.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet, Sherbrooke |
| Attendance | 2,600 |
| Moncton record (after game) | 7-4 |
| Weiner saves | 49 |
For Sherbrooke fans, the loss will be a bitter one to swallow at home. The Phoenix generated ample chances but were stymied repeatedly by Weiner, a performance that local supporters might construe as the difference-maker on the night. That the decisive goal came on a 5-on-3 power play will likely prompt reflection among Phoenix coaches about discipline and penalty-kill execution in high-leverage situations.
Moncton’s ability to convert on special teams and weather Sherbrooke pressure highlighted two season-long themes for both clubs: the importance of special teams and the centrality of strong goaltending in close QMJHL games. With tight standings early in the campaign, results like Friday’s illustrate how single moments — a power-play finish, a save on a grade-A chance — can ripple through a team’s momentum.
Broadcast coverage for the Wildcats’ Quebec swing will continue on Flo Hockey TV, and Moncton listeners can follow Wildcats Radio on Inspire 105.1 FM in the Moncton-Dieppe-Riverview region for play-by-play and analysis.
The Sherbrooke Phoenix will regroup and reassess following the loss, while Moncton departs Quebec with a hard-fought road win and a confidence-boosting outing from their starter between the pipes.
