Everett beats Chicoutimi 6-1 to set up Memorial Cup final against Kitchener

KELOWNA, British Columbia (AP) — Defenseman Landon DuPont scored twice and the Everett Silvertips beat the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 6-1 on Friday night in the Memorial Cup to advance to face Kitchener in the championship game.

The final Sunday night is a rematch of Ontario Hockey League champion Kitchener’s 6-2 victory over Western Hockey League winner Everett on Monday night in round-robin play.

Everett is trying to become the fourth U.S. franchise to win the major junior event, following the Portland Winterhawks in 1983 and 1998, Spokane Chiefs in 1991 and 2008 and Saginaw Spirit in 2024.

DuPont — a day after turning 17 and two days after sitting out the round-robin finale because of an undisclosed injury — gave the Silvertips a 2-1 lead with 6:01 left in the first period. He pushed the advantage to 5-1 on a power play with 2:22 to go in the second.

Carter Bear had a goal and an assist and Jaxsin Vaughan, Zackary Shantz and Julius Miettinen also scored. Anders Miller stopped 26 shots and assisted on DuPont's second goal.

Tomas Lavoie scored for Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion Chicoutimi. Lucas Beckman stopped 22 of 28 shots before giving way to Raphael Precourt after Miettinen scored early in the third.

Chicoutimi was without defenseman Jordan Tourigny after the Canadian Hockey League suspended him Wednesday for a match penalty Tuesday night against Kitchener. The Northeastern University-bound Tourigny was ejected for stomping on Christian Humphreys' skate.

Everett beat Chicoutimi 5-3 in the round-robin opener for both teams.

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Everett Silvertips goalie Anders Miller (31) watches the puck after stopping Chicoutimi Sagueneens' Emmanuel Vermette (28) during the second period of the Memorial Cup semifinal hockey game in Kelowna, British Columbia, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Everett Silvertips' Jaxsin Vaughan (15) and Chicoutimi Sagueneens' Liam Lefebvre (39) fight during the second period of the Memorial Cup semifinal hockey game in Kelowna, British Columbia, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Everett Silvertips' Jaxsin Vaughan (15) celebrates after his goal during the first period of the Memorial Cup semifinal hockey game against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in Kelowna, British Columbia, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Everett Silvertips' Landon DuPont (9), goalie Anders Miller (31), Brek Liske (42) and Kitchener Rangers' Gabriel Chiarot (20) and Dylan Edwards (16) watch for the shot on goal during the first period of a Memorial Cup hockey game in Kelowna, British Columbia, Monday, May 25, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Everett Silvertips' Landon DuPont, from left, Julius Miettinen, Matias Vanhanen and Carter Bear celebrate DuPont's second goal during the second period of the Memorial Cup semifinal hockey game against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in Kelowna, British Columbia, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — MJ Melendez hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the New York Mets a 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins after squandering a four-run lead Friday night.

Mark Vientos launched a 445-foot homer for the last-place Mets, who have won two in a row following a five-game slide.

A.J. Ewing and Brett Baty each had a two-run single in the first against unbeaten Max Meyer, who blanked New York on one hit over seven innings last weekend in Miami to help the Marlins earn a three-game sweep.

Melendez came off the bench as a pinch hitter in the seventh and supplied a sacrifice fly that extended New York's lead to 7-5. Owen Caissie tied it with a two-run homer off Tobias Myers in the eighth.

With one out in the 10th, Melendez fell behind 0-2 in the count before lofting a 98 mph fastball from Pete Fairbanks (2-3) into the second deck in right field just inside the foul pole.

Pinch-runner Vidal Bruján, the automatic runner at second base, scored ahead of a fired-up Melendez, who flipped his bat when the ball stayed fair and gestured excitedly toward the New York dugout on Fireworks Night at Citi Field.

It was his first game-ending hit in the majors and the fifth walk-off victory this year for the Mets (24-33), who are 7-4 in extra innings.

Austin Warren (1-1) worked a perfect inning for the win.

Mets starter Freddy Peralta was handed leads of 4-0, 5-1 and 6-2 in the opener of a three-game series, but he allowed four runs — two earned — and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Kyle Stowers had three hits for Miami, including an RBI double. Meyer lasted six innings despite giving up six runs, five earned, and six hits.

Marlins RHP Tyler Phillips (0-0, 1.07 ERA) makes his 17th appearance and second start this season Saturday against Mets RHP Christian Scott (0-0, 3.20), still seeking his first major league win in his 16th career start.

Before the game, New York will induct former manager Bobby Valentine and outfielder Lee Mazzilli into the team's Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Citi Field.

This story includes a correction to Tyler Phillips' record in the Up next section.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, left, poses with Mr. Met after throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Mets and the Miami Marlins, Friday, May 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins pitcher Max Meyer throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, May 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Friday, May 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' MJ Melendez reacts with teammates after hitting a walk off two run home run leading Vidal Bruján to score during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Friday, May 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' MJ Melendez reacts after hitting a walkoff two-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, May 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)