KINGSTON, Ont. (February 9, 2019) – The Queen's Gaels (19-9-0) clinched the 3
rd seed in the OUA East with a 6-3 win over the No.10 McGill Redmen (16-7-4).
The win capped off another impressive regular season for the Gaels who will take on the Concordia Stingers in the first round of the OUA Playoffs. The Gaels clinched third place in the OUA East with tonight's victory and tied a program record for wins in a season with 19, a mark that was set last season. The Gaels will meet the Concordia Stingers to open the OUA playoffs next week.
HOCKEY GIVES BLOOD
The Queen's Gaels are proud partners in the Hockey Gives Blood Campaign. Hockey Gives Blood and the Queen's Gaels are committed to making a positive difference to the health and well-being of communities across Canada by rallying teams, players and fans to donate blood. Book your life-saving appointment by downloading the GIVEBLOOD app, visiting
BLOOD.CA, or calling 1 888 2 DONATE.
AMP PROGRAM
Queen's Gaels were pleased to welcome Autism Mentorship Program (A.M.P) families and their mentors to this AMPed Up Saturday game. To learn more about A.M.P visit
https://www.autismmentorship.com/
GAME FLOW
With tension in the air both teams got off to fast starts with opportunities on both sides of the ice. However, early McGill's early penalty trouble opened the door for the Gaels to strike first.
On their first man advantage,
Henry Thompson found the back of the net as a centering pass deflected off McGill's goaltender Louis-Philip Guindon and in.
Moments later the Redmen were guilty of another penalty call and the Gaels were sure to capitalize.
Nevin Guy sent a shot towards net which hit
Luke Edwards in front. Edwards then swiftly sent a pass over to
Francesco Vilardi who fired it past Guindon for the Gaels' second powerplay goal of the period.
The Redmen were able to respond in the later part of the period as Antione Dufort-Plante got one by
Justin Fazio to cut their deficit in half.
Five minutes into the second period
Slater Doggett, who returned to the lineup, regained the Gaels three-goal lead as he found a powerplay goal of his own. Cutting in from the blue line, Doggett received a pass from
Jaden Lindo and buried it on an abbreviated breakaway.
The goal was yet another number in Doggett's unprecedented streak. He has now scored in the last six games he has played, as well as ten goals over his past ten games. He brings his season goal total to 21, which is good for third in the OUA.
In the later stages of the period,
Nevin Guy netted his fourth of the year to bring the Gaels lead to 4-1 heading into the second intermission.
A strange play opens the third as the Redmen attempted to clear their defensive zone. However, the puck goes off
Alex Row's skate and slides past Guindon to give the Gaels a 5-1 lead.
A couple minutes later,
Duncan Campbell took the feed from
Slater Doggett and ripped a one-timer past Guindon for the Gaels' sixth goal of the game.
The Redmen would respond with two goals but it wasn't enough to catch the Gaels' offensive explosion.
ABRAHAM MAKES HISTORY
Gaels' captain
Spencer Abraham got an assist on the game's opening goal which officially propelled him past Aaron Fransen for the school record of points by a defenceman.
Fittingly, in his final regular season game in a Gaels uniform Abraham was able to notch his 117
th career point.
SENIOR'S FAREWELL
Three Gaels' players (
Spencer Abraham,
Slater Doggett and
Henry Thompson) played their final regular season game in a Queen's uniform on Saturday night. All three went on to have spectacular games.
Slater Doggett finished with a goal and two assists bringing his season point total to a career high 35 points.
Henry Thompson had a goal and assist adding to his career high 17 points.
MUST SEE MOMENTS
Vilardi adds to the Gaels hot start!
What can't this man do? Doggett scores again!
BY THE NUMBERS
2 – Two wins this season over the defending Queen's Cup champion McGill. Their first win came on opening night in a 2-1 overtime win in Montreal.
5 – This is the fifth time this season that the Gaels have eclipsed six goals in a game.
3/3 – The Gaels started the game by converting on their first three powerplay opportunities, opening the door for the win.
3 – The Gaels finish top three in the OUA East for the third consecutive season.
UP NEXT: PLAYOFFS
The Gaels will take on the 6
th seed Concordia Stingers (15-11-2) starting next week. The dates and times of each matchup have yet to be determined. Stay tuned to gogaelsgo.com for updates as they occur.
The Gaels went 1-1 this season against the Stingers which included a 4-3 loss in Montreal and a 4-3 shootout win at home in late January.
Playoff tickets will be available at gogaelsgo.com/tickets and will be streamed live on OUA.tv.
