In a battle of Calgary prospects, Andrew Basha and the WHL champions Medicine Hat Tigers defeated Etienne Morin and the QMJHL champions Moncton Wildcats by a score of 3-1.
One prospect clearly had a better night than the other.
First, forward Basha tried to make his mark at 5:17 into the game when he sent a laser pass to teammate Tanner Molendyk in the low slot, but Molendyk coudn't put it past Moncton goalie Mathis Rousseau.
In the first Moncton power play, defenceman Morin quarterbacked the man-advantage, putting up a blocked shot and sending a pass to top prospect Caleb Desnoyers that ultimately got cleared down the ice.
He would put up a deflecting block off a Gavin McKenna shot in a dangerous 3v2 situation, preventing Moncton's situation from getting any worse at the 1:18 mark in the second period.
That would be the highlight for the Quebec native.
Meanwhile, Medicine Hat's second goal came as a result of a charging controlled entry into the offensive zone by Basha during a Medicine Hat power play. The 19-year-old got his first point of the Memorial Cup by passing to Ritchie Ryder in the right face-off zone who rocketed the puck into the back of the net to put the Tigers up 2-0 with 9:42 showing on the clock in the second period.
Basha would get another opportunity at an assist when he lasered a feed into the slot, but Bryce Pickford couldn't finish with the goal.
Morin's night got worse as he was called for a tripping penalty at the 9:53 mark of the third.
Some time before, Desnoyers knocked Basha with a vicious hit into the Wildcats' bench, but in the end it is the Calgary native who can claim bragging rights with the win.
Both prospects registered two shots each.
Basha and the Tigers are guaranteed a shot in the semifinal, but if they win their next game against the London Knights on Tuesday, they can book their ticket to the Final.
Meanwhile, Morin and the Wildcats have to beat the hosts Rimouski Oceanic on Wednesday to qualify for the semifinal and have a chance at the Memorial Cup.
Puck drop for both games are at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.