Mar. 3, 2010 - 7:00 PM
Redmen Hockey Playoffs at UQTR (Away; OUA East Finals, Game 1)
Won 3-2 at UQTR
Le Colisée
TROIS-RIVIERES - Sophomore Francis Verreault-Paul of Mashteuiatsh, Que., scored
the game-winner late in the second period as fifth-ranked McGill rallied to
upset No.3-UQTR 3-2 in the opener of the OUA East final at Le Colisée
in Trois-Rivières Wednesday.
The Redmen lead the best-of-three series 1-0 and could eliminate their long-time
rivals with a victory at McConnell Arena on Friday (7 p.m.), which would earn
McGill a berth at the CIS championships for the fourth time in five years.
It was McGill's seventh consecutive post-season victory over the Patriotes,
a team that once was virtually invincible for the Redmen, who are now 12-24
lifetime in 36 playoff confrontations.
McGill took advantage of an unusually undisciplined UQTR squad, scoring all
three goals on the power play as the Pats were assessed for 28 penalty minutes
compared to only eight by the Redmen, who led the league in penalties.
UQTR defenceman Nicolas Desilets was ejected at the 1:40 mark of the opening
period after receiving a kneeing major while body-checking Verreault-Paul. The
Redmen sniper who won the OUA scoring crown remained prone on the ice for more
than five minutes and missed the remainder of the period as he was assessed
by the team physician, who had made the 90-minute road trip.
The ensuing power-play did not start well for McGill as they gave up a shorthanded
marker by Pats defenceman Pierre-Luc Lessard.
"We didn't panic after that shorthanded goal," said Redmen head coach
Jim Webster. "The guys had confidence in our system, stuck to the basics
and took care of business. It was a complete team effort."
The Redmen rebounded 63 seconds later on blueliner Ben Gazdic's goal at 3:50
of the opening period. Centre Simon Marcotte-Légaré, a junior
from Longueuil, Que., gave McGill a 2-1 lead at the midway mark of the first
period.
Verreault-Paul returned in time for the second stanza, making it 3-1 at 17:20.
It was his league-leading seventh playoff goal in six games. More importantly,
he now has eight winning goals, including two in the playoffs. The single-season
school record is nine by Tim Iannone in 1987-88.
The Pats replied with a power-play goal by Alexandre Blais early in the third
but McGill held on for the victory, outshooting UQTR 46-30. Redmen sophomore
netminder Hubert Morin of St. Georges de Beauce was solid between the pipes
and improved to 5-1 in post-season play. Jean-Christophe Blanchard made 43 saves
in a losing cause for the Patriotes.
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
McGill Athletics & Recreation
514-398-7012
SCORING SUMMARY
McGill 3 at UQTR 2
(OUA East Final, Game 1; Mar 3, 2010 a Le Colisee)
1st Period-
1, UQTR, Pierre-Luc Lessard 1 (Levesque), 2:47 (sh).
2, McGill, Ben Gazdic 1 (Picard-Hooper, Rioux), 3:50 (pp).
3, McGill, Simon Marcotte-Legare 2 (Vossen, Rioux), 9:38 (pp).
Penalties-
Desilets UQTR (kneeing, game misconduct), 1:40;
Joncas UQTR (hooking), 8:57;
Lamontagne UQTR (tripping), 14:41;
Langelier-Parent Mcg (diving), 17:36.
2nd Period-
4, McGill, Francis Verreault-Paul 7 (Picard-Hooper, Dorion), 17:20 (pp).
Penalties-
Frechette UQTR (interference), 6:52;
Leblanc UQTR (tripping), 11:32;
Chicoine UQTR (hooking), 17:04;
Valente Mcg (cross checking), 18:55.
3rd Period-
5, UQTR, Alexandre Blais 4 (Demers, Leblanc), 1:04 (pp).
Penalties-
Langelier-Parent Mcg (cross checking), 0:57;
Blais UQTR (holding), 5:54;
Doucet Mcg (interference), 15:38.
GOALS BY PERIOD:
McGill 2 1 0 - 3
UQTR 1 0 1 - 2
Shots on Goal-
McGill 14-19-13-46.
UQTR 8-12-10-30.
Power Play Opportunities-
McGill 3 of 7;
UQTR 1 of 4.
Penalties (No./Mins.)-
McGill 4/8;
UQTR 8/27.
Goalies-
McGill,
Hubert Morin (W, 5-1, 30 shots-28 saves; 60:00).
UQTR,
Jean-Christophe Blanchard (L, 4-2-0, 46 shots-43 saves; 59:15);
Empty-net (0 goals; 0:45).
Attendance: 564
Start: 7:08 PM
End: 9:10 PM
Length: 2:02
Referee-Jonathan Trudel.
MOLSON CUP THREE STARS
1. MCG - 9 Alexandre Picard-Hooper
2. UQTR - 16 Pierre-Luc Lessard
3. MCG - 6 Sebastien Rioux
