RECAP: Gee-Gees back in win column with road victory over Stingers

A character effort throughout the lineup propelled the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men's hockey team to a 4-1 road win over the Concordia Stingers on Friday night.

With the win, the Gee-Gees improved to 19-2-4 on season and inched closer to clinching a first place finish in the OUA.

Following the game, Head Coach Patrick Grandmaître described it as "up-and-down" and wasn't overly enthusiastic about the team's slow start to the night.

"But I like how we stuck with it," he added. "I like how our depth won us the game, our 'third' and 'fourth' line chipped in with big minutes and a key goal. Two goals on the power play helps too, it was a good road win, not a complete game, but definitely a game overall we deserved."

Special teams were prominent through the first period. While play wasn't overly aggressive and tempers didn't flare, referees were quick to assess any penalty they saw.

Eric Locke converted on the power play to open the scoring in the second period, tapping in a loose puck following a scramble.

With a second on the clock in the second period, a stanchion between panes of glass came loose — halting play and sending players to the dressing room early. Following a 50-minute delay, play resumed, with the two teams playing out the final second before skating to centre ice to begin the third.

Lethargic play from puck drop costed the Gee-Gees, with a penalty call and a subsequent power play conversion by Concordia tying the game.

"At the same time — [Concordia] had the same delay," Grandmaître said. "I don't know what they did during the delay. We have nutrition that helps, but yeah a long break can drag on and you don't play with that same edge."

"We bounced back with a huge goal from Mathieu Newcomb, set up by Marc Beckstead." 

Newcomb's goal came midway through the third period, restoring the lead. A late power play opportunity for the Gee-Gees allowed Adam Beveridge to unload a cannon from the point to double the lead and create a comfortable cushion late in the game. Beckstead's empty netter rounded out the scoring to seal the win for the Gee-Gees.

"A lot of our games were team wins, tonight was another showcase of that," Grandmaître said.

Up next, Ottawa hosts UOIT in the first of three straight home games to close out the regular season. Grab tickets ahead of the game at tickets.geegees.ca

— Cameron Penney