RECAP: Roy the hero, men’s hockey clinches playoff spot

Photo: Tim Austen
Photo: Tim Austen
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February 10, 2023

A Charles-Antoine Roy goal just over a minute into overtime clinched the Gee-Gees men's hockey team a spot in the OUA playoffs.

The goal sealed a 3-2 victory over the McGill Redbirds Thursday evening in Montreal – a game the Gee-Gees never led and twice erased one-goal deficits. 

"The first 30 minutes they were all over us and we weren't playing well," said Gee-Gees head coach Patrick Grandmaitre. "Our goalie and our powerplay got us out of trouble. At times we were right there with them. We've got to fix some things, but we found a way." 

All five goals in the game were scored on the powerplay, with Daniel Hardie earning one of them along with two primary assists. Jean-Philippe Tourigny made 33 saves for his eighth win of the year.

McGill opened the scoring early in the second period and looked to be in control of the game. However, the game was delayed 15 minutes midway through the second frame due to damage to the visiting team's penalty box door. 

The teams remained on the ice, but the Redbirds seemed to lose their momentum, and Hardie equalized for Ottawa shortly thereafter.

Despite the game evening out, Ottawa still had work to do as they found themselves down by one with six minutes to go. Johnny Howie then pounded the puck past Alexis Shank in the McGill goal to tie the game, and some stout penalty killing late forced overtime.

The Redbirds took a penalty late in the third which carried into overtime, when Roy scored on a one-timer setup by Hardie and Jean-Robin Mantha. 

Half of the powerplays that were doled out in the game resulted in goals (Ottawa was 3-for-6 on the man advantage, McGill 2-for-4.). The officiating crew for the evening was led by Elizabeth Mantha, the first women to wear the bands in the American Hockey League and one of the top female referees in the world.

"Every season has its own story," said Grandmaitre. "We battled a ton of major injuries, but still found a way to get it done. We'll be right back at work Monday. Playoff preparation is always a bit of a deeper look into our opponents." 

Ottawa now shifts their focus to the playoffs, which are slated to get started Thursday, Feb. 16. The Gee-Gees opponent and playoff schedule are yet to be determined, but tickets for all Gee-Gees home games can be purchased at tickets.geegees.ca.