The Queen's Gaels men's hockey team extended their win streak to six games with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday night at the Memorial Centre. With the win, the Gaels head into the winter break at 15-3 on the season, tied for first place in the OUA East standings with the Concordia Stingers.

The game opened with a physical tone as both teams exchanged heavy hits. The Gaels controlled much of the first period, dominating possession and creating several scoring chances, including a breakaway by Nolan Hutcheson (Health Studies) that was denied by a sharp save from the Warriors' netminder. Despite outshooting Waterloo 12-9, the Gaels entered the intermission in a scoreless tie, with Aidan Spooner (Business) standing tall in net for Queen's.

The Warriors tested Spooner early in the second period, including a wraparound attempt that appeared to cross the goal line but was waved off by the officials. After a successful penalty kill, Queen's capitalized on the momentum as Daniel Michaud (Arts & Science) opened the scoring with a toe drag and top-corner snipe, assisted by Owen Lalonde (Arts & Science) and Derek Hamilton (Arts & Science). Waterloo responded quickly, driving the net to tie the game at 1-1.

In the third, Michaud struck again just over a minute into the period, converting on a failed clearing attempt to give Queen's a 2-1 lead. The Warriors equalized midway through the frame with a power-play goal, but Hutcheson restored the Gaels' lead with a wrist shot from the top of the circle, marking his league-leading 16th goal of the season. The Gaels' penalty kill and defensive effort held firm in the closing minutes, securing the 3-2 victory.

3 Stars of the Game
1st Star – Daniel Michaud: Michaud delivered a stellar performance with two goals, including the game-opener and a crucial third-period tally. His efforts continue a red-hot stretch, with three goals in the last two games.

2nd Star – Aidan Spooner: Spooner was a rock in net, making 38 saves and keeping the Gaels in the game during key moments, particularly during Waterloo's second-period surge.

3rd Star – Nolan Hutcheson: Hutcheson's game-winning goal was a showcase of his scoring touch and leadership, as he extended his OUA lead with 16 goals this season.

Queen's capped off November with an 8-2 record, a testament to the team's consistency and resilience. The Gaels were dominant at home, improving their Memorial Centre record to 8-2, and their penalty kill shined, going a perfect 7-for-7 over the weekend. This marks 11 straight successful penalty kills for Queen's, further emphasizing their defensive discipline. The team now sits tied for first place in the OUA East standings with 30 points, while Hutcheson continues to lead the league in goals (16) and remains fourth in points.

The Gaels' performance in net has also been a bright spot, with Spooner's standout effort proving the team's depth between the pipes. This win shows why Queen's is ranked fifth in the nation and is a serious contender heading into the second half of the season. However, the timing of the winter break might slow their momentum as the team will be idle until January 10, when they face the Nipissing Lakers on the road. Fans can watch the action live on OUA.tv.

With their sixth consecutive victory, the Gaels close out the first half of the season on a high note and are poised for continued success in 2025.