RECAP: Gee-Gees celebrate new year with historic shutout victory

Since 1968, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men's hockey team has played 98 games against McGill in Montreal. In the 99th game, the Gee-Gees accomplished a feat never completed over the past 50 years — shutting out McGill on their own ice.

Anthony Brodeur stopped all 33 shots he faced en route to his third career OUA shutout, while the Gee-Gees improved their OUA-best record to 14-1-2.

"Two reason why we won the game today — our goaltending and our penalty kill," said head coach Patrick Grandmaître following the game. "Great execution of a great game plan, players buying into systems and putting bodies in front of pucks are key to the way we kill penalties."

"Parts of our game wasn't good tonight, parts were good," he added. "Great goaltending, but at times they took it to us. We reacted well but down the road we need to be better against these types of teams for a full 60 minutes."

The two teams, arguably among the best in the OUA East, gritted out a scoreless first frame. McGill carried the pace of play, outshooting the Gee-Gees by a margin of 11-6. Strict calls from the officials offered plenty of special teams opportunities for both sides, though it was a wash with Ottawa killing all six chances, and unable to convert on four of their own.

Midway through the second period, the Gee-Gees began to capitalize on their chances. Jean-François Plante whiffled a shot through the five-hole of the McGill goaltender to open the scoring. Second later, captain Eric Locke scooped an errant McGill pass in the neutral zone and converted on a breakaway to quickly double up on the Gee-Gees' lead.

Kevin Domingue's team-leading 12th goal of the season put the margin out of reach for McGill in the third period, while an empty netter from Mathieu Newcomb rounded out the scoring.

The record-setting shutout was an unexpected achievement for a Gee-Gees squad that has surpassed all expectations while pacing the OUA standings over the course of the campaign.

"It is something special," Grandmaître said. "If we look at McGill today they are the standard in our league." 

"Whenever we can get two points against them it's always a big thing. The shutout part, I think it's more a testament to our guys' willingness to block shots and Anthony playing outstanding hockey," he said.

Up next, the squad will have a rare Saturday without a game, before continuing to Trois-Rivières to take on the Patriotes in a Sunday evening tilt.

The Gee-Gees will spend Saturday in Montreal, with a practice scheduled in nearby Laval in addition to team-bonding activities in the city.

The UQTR Patriotes will not be streaming the game on OUA.tv. Visit Gee-Gees Men's Hockey on your preferred social media channel for up to the minute updates ahead of and during the game.

— Cameron Penney