Team showcases potent offence ahead of Colonel By Classic
Following a midweek loss to the nationally fifth-ranked Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes, the Garnet and Grey were looking to record their first win of the regular season.
Luckily, the Gee-Gees put on a offensive clinic, and bested Royal Military College by a 7–2 margin.
The game got off to a rough start for the RMC Paladins, as they drew their first penalty nine minutes into the first frame.
The Gees instantly responded, with Matthew Dunlop netting his first goal of the season on a shot from point.
Mathieu Dubois followed up a rebound to double the Gee-Gees’ lead with eight and a half minutes left in the first frame. Jacob Sweeney converted on a great feed to one-time a slap shot over the opposing goalie’s shoulder.
Nearing the end of the first period, RMC made another trip to the penalty box, giving the Gees the power-play.
Jacob Hanlon scored on a rebound opportunity early in the man advantage to stretch the Gees’ lead to 4–0. Mitchell Gibson would continue the onslaught, making the game a five goal advantage at the eight-minute mark of the second frame.
RMC got on the board with less than four minutes to go in the second period with a well-placed snapshot.
The Paladins were handed another man disadvantage with six minutes left to play. While shorthanded, RMC scored to cut the lead to three.
Shortly after, the Gees extended their lead again with their sixth goal, on a tip by John Deacon. With just over a minute remaining, Ottawa solidified their lead on a goal by Antoine Pouliot, taking the 7–2 win.
The Gee-Gees are looking forward to the big Colonel By Classic against cross-town rival Carleton Ravens.
Coming fresh from their first regular season win, the team hopes to keep the momentum going in their biggest matchup of the year so far.
The game is being marketed as a new chapter in the rivalry series between schools that has produced massive events like the Panda Game and the Capital Hoops Classic.
“Winning our first game helps us a lot going into this game,” said head coach Patrick Grandmaître. “It was good to get that first win out of the way, it kind of takes some pressure off our shoulders”.
Carleton was a strong playoff team last season and will will want to put on a show unlike just any regular season game.
“They are a very balanced team, we’ll have to be good in all facets of the game to compete against them,” said the Gee-Gees coach.
The meeting between the teams is taking place at TD Place Arena, the home of the Ottawa 67’s. The 10,000 seat arena will be an exhilarating environment for the team as they attempt to establish a winning streak for the first time this year.
“Hopefully we react well to that excitement, and go out like we can with a good effort.”
Following the next home game for the Gee-Gees at Minto Sports Complex will take place on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. against Nipissing University.
