RECAP: Men’s hockey falls to Nipissing in first round of OUA playoffs

The University of Ottawa men's hockey team has bowed out of the OUA playoffs in the first round, following a 4-0 defeat by the Nipissing Lakers. The Lakers advance to the second round where they will host the McGill Redbirds. 

Nipissing scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of the contest after a slow start by the Gee-Gees. The Garnet and Grey had a number of chances to get on the board throughout the game, including a silky passing play between Bradley Chenier, Charles-Antoine Roy, and Max Grondin that rang off the post in the dying embers of the first period. 

In all, the Gee-Gees took 28 shots but were unable to beat Michael Herringer who earned his first shutout in his U SPORTS career. 

This was but the first chapter in the careers of many players for the University of Ottawa. A team with 20 rookies, the Gee-Gees have the offseason to learn and improve ahead of another campaign. 

"There are lessons to be learned," said Gee-Gees head coach Patrick Grandmaître. "We had a terrible start, and after that, they sat back and couldn't chip it in. It's tough in this league and nothing comes easy." 

Wednesday marked the final game in Garnet and Grey for graduating seniors Yvan Mongo, Cody Van Lierop, Nicolas Mattinen and Branden Makara. The returning players will commence their offseason training and reconvene in Ottawa in August.