What a start to the 2026 QMJHL Cup! Keaven Proulx capitalized on an lucky puck bounce to score the game-winning goal with 2:36 remaining in the third period, and Team Beauvillier defeated Team Benoît 5-3 in the tournament opener on Thursday at the Centre Gervais Auto in Shawinigan.
Dylan Currie was the star of the game with two goals and an assist for the winners, notably tying the game at 2-2 in the final second of the second period. Jayden Shea (one goal, one assist) and Noah O’Connell (two assists) also stood out for Team Beauvillier.
For Team Girard, Collège Notre-Dame Albatros player Justin Gagnon recorded two assists.
It didn’t take long for both teams to entertain the large crowd, most of whom were students from schools in the Mauricie region. Logan Cotter scored the first goal just 33 seconds into the game. Shea responded with 41 seconds left in the period.
Pierre-Alexandre Lemieux, for Team Girard, and Currie found the net in the second frame. Team Beauvillier took the lead for the first time 45 seconds into the third period, thanks to Raphaël Tétreault. Nathan Riendeau scored his team’s third goal before Proulx netted the game-winner. Currie rounded out the scoring with an empty-net goal.
Between the pipes, Caleb Pelletier earned the win with 28 saves. His counterpart, George-Nektarios Panagakos, stopped 29 shots.
Team Beauvillier returns to action on Friday at 9 a.m. to face off against Team Gaudreau. Meanwhile, Team Girard will look to secure its first win in the 2026 QMJHL Cup against Team Benoît at 11:30 a.m.
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Game Stats : CLICK HERE
