RECAP: Gee-Gees win fifth straight, improve record to 15-1-2

At one time, the confines of Le Colisée in Trois-Rivières were the most hostile visit on the calendar for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men's hockey team. 

 

However, the Gee-Gees have flipped the script this season — defeating the UQTR Patriotes on the road for the second time this season. A resilient effort from the offence after falling behind early propelled the team to a 4-3 victory on Sunday night.

 

Ottawa found themselves stunned early on with an aggressive Patriotes' attack. Mathieu Lemay scored for UQTR just one minute into the contest, then the Patriotes doubled their lead by the midway point of the opening frame.

 

"We felt they got those goals off of poor puck management on our part," Grandmaître said. "It was managing the puck better and to keep playing our style of hockey. If we stuck to it, we were confident we'd get back up in this game."

 

The Garnet and Grey rebounded exactly as Grandmaître envisioned, with rookie Yvan Mongo cutting the deficit by streaking down the ice and unloading a snap shot past UQTR goaltender Sebastien Auger with just over a minute to go in the period.

 

A power play goal from Médric Mercier, his fourth of the season, pulled the Gee-Gees back to a tie game just five minutes into the second period. While UQTR restored their lead with a power play goal of their own, Cody Drover responded just 43 seconds later. 

 

Ottawa gained their first lead of the night with a goal a minute into the third period. Kevin Domingue collected a pass in the low slot and launched it into the back of the net as UQTR returned the even strength.

An undisciplined Patriotes team gifted an opportunity for Ottawa to create a sizeable lead. Shortly after giving up the fourth goal, UQTR took a pair of minor penalties to give the Gee-Gees an extended five-on-three.

 

Though unable to convert, UQTR took a too-many-men penalty when transitioning to five-on-four play and found themselves down a man once more. Grandmaître then called a timeout, looking to regroup on the power play.

While the Gee-Gees had plenty of chances on the man advantage, they were unable to capitalize on the third period and finished one-for-six on the night.

 

"We need to learn and get better with our power play, to ensure we keep momentum and be dangerous with the puck," Grandmaître said.

 

After relinquishing a pair of early goals, Graham Hunt was stellar in goal for the Gee-Gees. He stopped 31 of 34 on his way to his seventh win of the season.

 

Goaltending continues to be the greatest positional strength of the team this season. Hunt is having a career year, with a sparking 1.99 goals-against-average and a 0.928 save percentage. Anthony Brodeur, who posted a shutout in his most recent appearance against McGill on Friday night, is also posting career best numbers. He currently holds a 2.24 goals-against-average and a 0.925 save percentage.

 

Up next, the Gee-Gees take on the Carleton Ravens for their fourth and final meeting of the season, with this one going on Friday, January 11th at the Minto Sports Complex.

 

Ottawa enters the game with the best record in the OUA at 15-1-2, with Carleton tied for second place at 12-3-4. While Ottawa has had tremendous success in the regular season this year, they are only 1-1-1 in head-to-head games against Carleton.

 

The Gee-Gees will also square off with the Patriotes twice more before the regular season wraps, with back-to-back home games slated for January 18-19. 

 

Visit tickets.geegees.ca for tickets ahead of the game.

 

— Cameron Penney