OTTAWA, Ont. (February 20, 2019) – The Queen's Gaels picked up an important game one victory over the No.4 Ottawa Gee-Gees in the second round of the OUA Playoffs.
Heading into tonight's matchup the Gaels had been outscored 8-3 in two prior regular season losses to the Gee-Gees this season. However, a goal from
Henry Thompson as well as two from
Mason Kohn led the way to a 1-0 series lead for the Tricolour.
GAME FLOW
With both teams coming off 2-0 sweeps in the first round of the OUA Playoffs they began action on Wednesday night by feeling each other out. Eventually, the Gee-Gees were able to mount some pressure in the offensive zone but
Justin Fazio was there to make a few key early saves.
Henry Thompson found the back of the net 5:36 into the period for his first goal of this playoff run. Thompson was the benefactor of a pass along the boards from
Francesco Vilardi who had scooped up a Gee-Gee turnover in their defensive zone. Thompson then spun and shot a knuckler past Ottawa goaltender Anthony Brodeur for the game's opening goal.
The Gee-Gees controlled most of the action for the remainder of the period but Fazio stopped all 13 shots he faced heading into the first intermission.
Ottawa got off to a fast start to the second period as within a matter of six minutes they had grabbed a 2-1 lead.
First, Cody Van Lierop sent a shot past a screened Fazio to tie the game. Then moments later Marc Beckstead streaked in from the blue line and picked up a rebound off a Gaels defender and slid it into the goal to take the lead.
With the momentum heavily in the home corner, the Gaels showed their resiliency as they took advantage of their first powerplay opportunity of the game to knot it up 2-2. It was
Justin Fazio who drew a slashing call, which set up
Mason Kohn for his first playoff goal in a Gaels' uniform.
Slater Doggett took an open shot, which was saved, but the rebound spit out to Kohn who managed to get it past Brodeur before being taken down.
It didn't take long for the Gaels to capitalize on the momentum that they carried into the second intermission. Sprung on an odd-man rush,
Slater Doggett sent a pass over to
Mason Kohn who banged the puck past a sprawled out Brodeur to give the Gaels a 3-2 edge. From then on it was all about preserving a single-goal lead.
As the game went on the physicality ramped up as the Gee-Gees applied the pressure. However, the Gaels stood their ground and ran out the clock to secure a massive game one victory.
FAZIO'S FANTASTIC NIGHT
It was another stellar performance from Gaels' goaltender
Justin Fazio as he made 35 of 37 saves for his third playoff win. Not only did he make all the stops he needed to but he also put on a show for the crowd in Ottawa with numerous clutch saves.
Wednesday's win was a statement game for Fazio. In his lone appearance against the Gee-Gees this season he allowed three goals in a 4-1 loss. Now the only question is whether he can maintain his form heading into a pivotal game two on Friday.
MUST SEE MOMENTS
Henry Thompson opened the scoring!
Justin Fazio with one of his remarkable saves!
Kohn with an important goal on the powerplay!
Game winner!
BY THE NUMBERS
2 – After scoring 9 goals before the winter break, Kohn notches his first two goals of 2019. He missed the majority of games in the second half of the season due to an injury.
14 –
Slater Doggett has recorded at least 1 point in the last 14 games he has suited up for the Gaels.
1 – The Gaels need just one more win to book a trip to the OUA East finals. They have one opportunity at home to do so, if not it's back up to Ottawa.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return home to host game two at the Memorial Centre on Friday night. Game time is set for 7:30pm and you can get your tickets at gogaelsgo.com/tickets. Or as always you can catch the action live on OUA.tv.
