UN-ZERO

Antoine Bibeau stops Bo Horvat on a penalty shot in Memorial Cup opener.

This time, battle-conditioned beat well-conditioned.   
The Val d'Or Foreurs barely finished a game seven war in Quebec's eastern townships on Tuesday.  They marched into game one of the MasterCard Memorial Cup in London not having time to change anything about their game - or even think they might be tired after a last minute, game seven win vs. Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
The Foreurs used the same formula to beat the host London Knights 1-0 - a big goal by sniper Anthony Mantha (82 goals in 82 games played this year) and the goaltending of Antoine Bibeau (51 saves).  
The London Knights couldn't kick the rust off after a month long practise.  The Knights had energy and territorial advantages, but were missing the finish around the net.  


TURNING POINT

With the Knights trailing 1-0 in the third period when Max Domi hit Bo Horvat with a beautiful breakaway pass.  Horvat was hooked and a penalty shot was awarded.  Horvat tried to beat Bibeau high blocker side and the QMJHL playoff MVP made the save.  
The Knights pulled goalie Anthony Stolarz with just under two minutes remaining in regulation and had several more chances, but couldn't beat Bibeau, who was named the first star. 

"This was the Bibeau of the whole year," Mantha would say after the game. 

MANTHA 

Anthony Mantha showed why he is a grade-A NHL prospect.  His goal was a pure goal scorer's goal at  16:20 of the first period.  He sensed he had a step on Knights defenseman Brady Austin and in three strides was by Austin and able to take a pass on his backhand and cradle the puck AT FULL SPEED.  Mantha protected the puck by planting his left leg and made a powerful move to finish on Anthony Stolarz.  It appears Mantha has dedicated this year to answering any questions NHL scouts might have had about his compete level, consistency and speed - and he did it all on one play.  The Detroit Red Wings appear to have a gem with Mantha, taken with the 20th pick in 2013.  Ironically, for moving down to 20 from 18th, the Wings picked up an extra second-round draft pick.  They used that pick to select Guelph winger Tyler Bertuzzi, who was a key player in the OHL championship drive of the Guelph Storm this year with 10 goals in 18 playoff games. 

Anthony Mantha scores his 82nd goal of the season vs. Knights in Memorial Cup opener

The Trews open the MC Memorial Cup with live singing of "Highway of Heros"