IN A WIN-OR-GO-HOME GAME, THE GEE GEES STRONG PERFORMANCE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO OUST THE FORMIDABLE UQTR PATRIOTES
Following a hard-fought game on Feb. 25 in Trois-Rivières, the Gee-Gees men’s hockey team returned home with their season on the line for game two of their OUA quarterfinal against the UQTR Patriotes. In the first game of the quarterfinals, despite a goal from Ottawa’s #59 Mitch Martin and a tight shot total of 34-31, the Gee-Gees fell 4-1 on the road, putting them in a series deficit returning to Minto.
On Feb. 27 the Gee-Gees played hard, outshooting the Patriotes 30-24 and challenging the OUA Regular Season champs, yet falling short 5-1.
First Period
With their back up against a wall, the Gee-Gees came out fired up in front of an almost sold-out crowd to extend the series on Friday night Primetime.
After a lengthy delay, due to broken glass behind the UQTR net following warmup, the puck was finally dropped at 7:47 p.m. In the first few minutes, both teams came out aggressively, laying big hits, including U of O’s #26 Anson McMaster, setting the tone early. While Ottawa started off strong and forechecking well, due to a controversial penalty call five minutes in, the Gee-Gees were shorthanded early. During this penalty kill, Ottawa’s goalie #90 Franky Lapenna was truly the Gee-Gees’ best penalty killer, making multiple top-notch saves, including a glove save to end the power play.
While this was a crucial penalty kill, UQTR upped the pressure with #67 Ludovic Soucy, opening the scoring with a perfect shot in the top corner from a tight angle. The Patriotes would continue their pressure for the next few minutes, tiring Ottawa’s defence and striking again with 10 minutes left in the period, when Soucy achieved his second of the game off a rebound in front.
Despite these two goals being major momentum shifters, Ottawa bounced back, reducing the UQTR onslaught and gaining a few good chances leading to a Gee-Gee power play. Unfortunately, during this man advantage, Ottawa’s power play struggles continued, moving to 0-7 in the series and missing a top 2-on-1 opportunity down low with a big save from #29 William Grimard for UQTR. This powerplay however, did change the momentum of the game as Ottawa began upping the pressure, forcing Grimard to be sharp, and starting to gain some optimism for the second period.
After the 1st period: 2-0 UQTR
Second Period
On the back of Ottawa’s increasing pressure at the end of the first, the Gee-Gees came out flying at the start of the second with numerous strong shifts to start off the period. As the pressure increased, against the run of play, UQTR chipped a puck through the middle and cut through the defence, forcing Ottawa to bring down the man. As a result, this set up one of the most anticipated matchups in the OUA, UQTR’s top points getter #71 Felix Lafrance against Ottawa’s #90 Franky Lapenna in a penalty shot. Despite a silky backhand deke, Lapenna held firm, making a turning point save on Lafrance and shifting the tide of the game.
Following this crucial save, Ottawa would continue their onslaught, and with 12 minutes left in the period, the Gee-Gees would break through with #9 William Provost sniping the top corner from the top of the circles. This goal elated the crowd and the team, leading to Ottawa drawing another penalty on UQTR’s goal scorer Soucy shortly after.
Once again, while the Gee-Gees created chances on the powerplay they could not solve Grimard, and then, in a complete turn of events, following a lost stick, Lafrance would get behind the defence and redeem his penalty shot miss, beating Lapenna after retrieving his own rebound from the shorthanded breakaway.
This goal took the wind out of Ottawa’s sails as the rest of the period would not see much action for either side, despite a post UQTR would hit. In addition, throughout the end of the period, the referees’ strategy of letting the teams play was shown in clear effect as multiple potential calls were disregarded for both teams. While being down going into the second intermission, the Gee-Gees had still shown the fight that won them their national championship in the previous year.
After the Second Period: 3-1 UQTR
Third Period
Ottawa would show this fight coming out in the third, creating chances and increasing their O-zone time. Their determination was highlighted early in the period when Ottawa’s #13 Tommy Bouchard’s backcheck would intercept a 2-on-1 and save a goal. While the Gee-Gees created some good chances, their final product still lacked, and with 10 minutes to go and being down 3-1, UQTR would strike again with Lafrance feeding #79 Charles Beaudoin for a one-timer in the slot, giving Lapenna no shot at coming up with a save.
With a 3-goal lead, UQTR would prioritize defence, clogging up the middle of the ice and not giving Ottawa any more top-tier chances. In one last-ditch resort, with 3:49 left in the game, Ottawa would pull the goalie for an extra attacker; however, it would prove unsuccessful as UQTR would wrap the game up with an empty net goal by #79 Beaudoin, making it 5-1. Despite being down, the Gee-Gees continued to push hard, yet they simply ran into a hot goalie and a team that was clearly reflective of the top regular season spot in the OUA.
Final Score: 5-1 UQTR
Beyond the boxscore
While the score line finished as 5-1, in reality, this was a much closer game. The Gee-Gees had many good chances, and momentum was on their side until they conceded the shorthanded goal in the second. This was truly the turning point of the game, shifting momentum and taking the life out of the crowd. UQTR truly proved their status as OUA’s regular season champions as they will go to the OUA semifinals to face Queens. Unfortunately, on the other hand, despite a great season from the Gee-Gees, their season has officially come to an end. The Gee-Gees have truly worn the Garnet and Grey proudly this year, and while some players will end their U of O careers, many team members will be returning to next year’s squad to once again compete for an OUA championship.
