RECAP: Gee-Gees remain undefeated in regulation through six games

A 3-1 win over the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday night boosted the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men's hockey team's record to 5-0-1 to open the regular season.

"Funny game today, we didn't have a lot of possession but we had the most scoring chances in a while," Head Coach Patrick Grandmaître said following the game. "To get three points on this road trip is a very good thing. We haven't lost in regulation yet, so lots of positives. I'm happy with the points but always something to work on," he said.

Captain Eric Locke opened the scoring by taping in a friendly bounce. A point shot from Médric Mercier was stopped by the Guelph goaltender's pads but the rebound landed squarely on Locke's stick only a handful of feet from the open net.

Early in the second period, Jean-François Plante tallied his first goal with the Gee-Gees off a two-on-one rush. The snakebitten forward had generated plenty of chances over his previous five games, but hand't found the back of the net until now.

Ottawa capitalized on an undisciplined Guelph team over the course of the game, drawing seven penalties in the first two periods without being assessed one themselves. Locke's power play goal late in the second period helped build a three goal lead.

While the team went one-for-eight overall on the power play, Grandmaître was still pleased with him team's play on the man advantage, and identified areas for his team to work on at practice through the week. "At times I would like to have better execution of play," he explained. "That five-on-three goal was a big goal. We need more poise with the puck, some are hanging on too long, and to have better execution with our game plans."

Guelph would go on to score one in the third to round out the scoring, though Anthony Brodeur stood out throughout the game, stopping 33 of 34 shots along the way. In combination with Graham Hunt, the duo between the pipes have been stellar through the first six games of the season. The team has allowed a league-low 12 goals so far, and Graham Hunt leads the league with a goals against average of 1.3. Hunt and Brodeur also rank second and third respectively for best save percentage so far.

"That's the luxury of having two good goalies. We're not scared of going with anyone on one particular night," Grandmaître said. "They're both two completely different goalies. Brodeur is more of a throwback style and Hunt is more of a poised, positional goalie. So far so good, they're a huge part of our success this year."

Looking ahead, Ottawa is set to host the Queen's Gaels and RMC Paladins for the first time this season. The Gee-Gees trail Queen's by a point for first place in the OUA East, though Queen's has a game in hand.

Puck drop against RMC on Nov. 2 is slated for 7:30 p.m., while the game against Queen's the following night will go at 7 p.m. Head to tickets.geegees.ca for tickets.

—Cameron Penney