RECAP: Ottawa sweeps weekend against #4 Brock, Guelph

The Gee-Gees men's hockey team played some picture-perfect hockey this weekend, as they defeated Brock and Guelph in back-to-back wins at the Minto Sports Complex on Friday and Saturday.

Ottawa started their home stint by defeating the nationally fourth-ranked Brock Badgers by a score of 6-3 on Friday night. The game was highlighted by back-and-forth scoring throughout before the Gee-Gees pulled away late in the game to secure the statement win.

The team's complete effort on the night was well as some tremendous plays.

Gee-Gees captain Anthony Poulin scored an outstanding goal to tie the game at 1-1 early in the second period. Poulin toe-dragged the puck between an opponent's legs and capitalized on the breakaway. This dazzling individual effort came as an immediate response to Brock's opener.

"All goals feel the same, my job is to put the team on the board, and we don't get points for style," said Poulin about his tally. "I'm just happy I was able to switch the momentum to our side."

Less than 24 hours later on Saturday afternoon, the Gee-Gees powered to a 8-1 win over the Guelph Gryphons. The game was marked by noticeable chemistry among every line that was on the ice, something that didn't go unnoticed by the Ottawa coaching staff. 

"With the team playing so well all around in two back-to-back dominant wins, it's hard to point out what I liked best about the group," said Gee-Gees head coach Patrick Grandmaître. "I will say our chemistry is evolving game-by-game, to the point where we see lots of different names on the scoresheet. It's a great feeling to know we can count on every player on the squad no matter their role, I think our roster is extremely deep." 

Grandmaître also praised freshman goaltender Franky Lapenna, who added two wins to his record this weekend and now leads the OUA in goals against average (1.74) and save percentage (.941). The netminder even added two assists in Saturday's win.

"I'll take them when they come and it's fun to be able to contribute on the offensive side, but my main contribution comes from stopping pucks, which I try to do consistently," said Lapenna of his two-assist effort. "The guys have been absolutely rolling recently and now that this group fully understands what it's capable of, we're a really dangerous team."

The Gee-Gees have one game remaining until the exam and holiday break. They will host McGill on Tuesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Minto Sports Complex.