The Moncton Wildcats are now in a must-win situation in the battle for the Memorial Cup.

Moncton lost to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers 3-1 during their second round-robin game on Monday night.

Ryder Ritchie scored for the Tigers early in the first period and added a second goal midway through the second to give them a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats closed the gap early in the third with a goal by Dyllan Gill, assisted by Loke Johansson and Alex Mercier.

But an empty-net goal by Gavin McKenna with just seven seconds left in the game secured the win for the Tigers.

Moncton must win its final round-robin game on Wednesday night against Rimouski to secure a spot in Friday’s semifinal.

Memorial Cup action continues on Tuesday night as the Tigers (2-0) take on the OHL’s London Knights (2-0), with the winner advancing to the final.