Memorial Cup opens.

Junior hockey's trophy the Memorial Cup, arguably one of the most difficult trophies to win in all of sport, starts today. To reach the Memorial Cup, teams play four rounds of best-of-seven series (same as the NHL) to win their league title, but that's not where it ends (it ends after four rounds in the NHL). There are three major geographic leagues in Canada's junior system. The Quebec League (QMJHL), the Ontario League (OHL) and the Western League (WHL) each send their winner of their championship to the Memorial Cup, as well as the host team gets an automatic bye into the tournament. The Memorial Cup lasts a little over a week, each team first plays every other team (so, three games) and then based on standings during those preliminary games, a one game knock out style for quarter(*correction* there is no quarters.. how can there be, there's only 4 teams, duh), semi and finals.



Kitchener Rangers (host), Belleville Bulls (OHL), Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL), Spokane Chiefs (WHL).

First game at 7pm EST (Sportsnet), Rangers vs Gatineau.