After winning the QMJHL's Playoff MVP behind a 14-6--20 performance, Blue Jackets prospect James Malatesta is leading the Quebec Remparts to the Memorial Cup Final.
James Malatesta starts the Mem Cup the same way he finished the QMJHL playoffs: hot.
— Dylan Tyrer (@DylanTyrer) May 27, 2023
Thats his 15th goal in 19 postseason games. https://t.co/rz3ydQHNkj
In the Remparts' Memorial Cup opener, they faced the tournament-hosting Kamloops Blazers and won 8-3 behind a hat trick from Malatesta, who was named the player of the game.
Heres #CBJ prospect James Malatestas second goal of the night in the opener of the @CHLMemorialCup. pic.twitter.com/S4Q8SuFHLS
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) May 27, 2023
Heres #CBJ prospect James Malatestas third goal of the night in the @CHLMemorialCup opener pic.twitter.com/tvxJBiq12b
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) May 27, 2023
Quebec's momentum continued Monday night as they defeated the WHL-champion Seattle Thunderbirds 3-1. While Malatesta didn't record a point, he made his mark on the game, hitting the crossbar with a wrist shot and getting into an altercation with Blackhawks prospect Colton Dach after hitting Golden Knights prospect Jordan Gustafson into the boards near the end of the second period.
James Malatesta (CBJ) has one heck of a release. Comes oh-so-close to making it 2-0 Remparts pic.twitter.com/kfDnCjT5rr
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) May 30, 2023
Malatestas not your typical sniper. #MemorialCup | @quebec_remparts pic.twitter.com/9J8o2J2P79
— QMJHL (@QMJHL) May 30, 2023
With Quebec's win over Seattle, it clinches a spot in Sunday's Memorial Cup Final which starts at 7 p.m. ET. However, Malatesta and the Remparts still have one game of round-robin play left as they'll take on the OHL-champion Peterborough Petes Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.
