(09/02/25) - Kingston, ON., The Queen's Gaels Men's Hockey team dominate the Brock Badgers 3-1 as the Badgers return to Gaels barn for the first time since 2018.  This was an important game for the Gaels, not only because it secured them 2 points tying them for first in the OUA East with the Concordia Sting, but it was their final game on their home ice of the Kingston Memorial Center where Gaels seniors were honoured and congratualted on their time with the team.  The seven players honoured were no. 3 Jack Duffy (Biology), no. 25 Hayden Fowler (Health Studies), no. 19 Nolan Hutcheson (Health Studies), no. 17 Holden Katzalay (Computing), no. 55 Owen Lalonde (Geography/French), no. 22 Trevor Longo (Commerce), and no. 37 Christian Purboo (Economics). 

The Gaels now maintain a  five game win streak.  With only two regular-season games left in the schedule, the win today builds the Gaels confident position heading into playoffs. The Gaels entered the arena with a 20-5 record, 11-2 on home ice, while the Badgers maintained a 11-14 record.  A total of three penalties were given out to each team throughout the game with one allowing the Badgers to score their singular goal.  Although the Badgers were unsuccessful today, they shot 24 shots on Purboo while the Gaels shot 20.  

The first period was a dominant performance by the Gaels as they boxed out the Badgers from finding the lead early on.  6:43 after the opening puck-drop, no. 12 Liam Tanner (Kinesiology and Health Sciences) scores in between the legs of Badgers goalie after a pass sent over by no. 21 Ante Zlomislic (Applied Sciences).  No. 20 Ethan Larmand (Arts & Sciences) also picked up a point on the goal, his first of two on the game.  The Gaels beat out the Badgers power-play line with overwhelming pressure.  Five minutes after Tanner found the back of the net, Gaels captain no. 3 Jack Duffy (Biology) scores a wrist shot off the post, assisted again by Larmand.  The exciting first period closed with the score of 2-0 for the Gaels.  Shots on goal tallied to 13 for the Gaels ad 7 for the Badgers.

The Gaels slowed down after an energetic first period as the Badgers limited their opportunities in front of the net.  At 11:38, Hutcheson attempted the first pass at the back of the net for the Gaels in the second, although was not successful in outsmarting the Badgers goalie. The Gaels saw their second power play in the second period, although could not come up with another goal to advance their lead.  After a roughing call on the Gaels, the Badgers scored on Purboo with less than 10 seconds left in the power-play. The second period closed with the Badgers just one goal behind the Gaels at 2-1 with 11 scoring attempts to the Gaels 3.

The evenly contested game continued into the third period as the Badgers cut the Gaels lead in half during the second.  Neither team could find a successful chance at their opponents net, and the third was a defensive chase back and forth across the ice.  The only penalty for the period was called against the Gaels for tripping, which the Gaels pk-unit successfully beat out not allowing the Badgers to score to tie late in the game.  At the minute mark the Badgers goalie was pulled, although the Gaels did not allow this to bog them down.  Spending most of the last minute in the Badgers zone, Hutcheson saw a great opportunity followed by Larmand, although both shot just wide of the net fighting off Badgers defensive pressure.  With 15 seconds left in the game, no. 10 Cameron Tolnai scored on the Badgers empty net, assisted by Hutcheson and Lalonde.  With this goal, the Gaels closed out their final game on home ice with a victory.  The Badgers attempted to make moves on the Gaels with 7 shots on Purboo in the third, although the Gaels maintained their momentum and strategic play to keep the Badgers to one goal. 

The Gaels are now tied atop the OUA East tied with the Concordia Sting with the record 21-5.  Catch the Gaels next as they play their final two games: first against the RMC Paladins (February 12th at 7:00 PM) whom they defeated 5-2 at the annual Carr-Harris Cup, followed by their final regular season game against the UQTR Patriotes (February 15th at 4:00 PM). Stream both games live on OUA.TV. Go Gaels go!