RECAP: Men’s hockey rebounds from Western loss with overtime comeback over Guelph

The Gee-Gees men's hockey team's home opener didn't go as scripted on Friday night, as the visiting Western Mustangs capitalized on all their chances to beat the Gee-Gees by a score of 7-2. Undeterred when the bounces weren't going their way, the Gee-Gees overcame multiple two-goal deficits to defeat the Guelph Gryphons the following night.

"Yesterday was quite the frustrating game, it was hard for us to evaluate and talk about it after the game because we felt like we had a lot of shots, a lot of opportunities, but we had a lot of big mistakes that ended up in the back of our net," said head coach Patrick Grandmaître follow the game.

"Tonight, it was kind of the same thing, we felt like we had the upper hand most of the time and then they pounced on their chances where they got the bounces," he added.

"I was happy our guys got rewarded for their efforts, we were working hard and sometimes the bounces just bounce a bit on your side, and it happened in the third so we're happy with that."

A power play goal from Connor Sills cut the deficit to 2-1 early in the second period, but five answered goals from Western soon created a margin too wide to overcome. Kevin Domingue scored with a minute remaining in regulation to round out the scoring.

Despite the frustrating result, the coaching staff reviewed the game and found plenty of positives to take away.

"We had 50 shots, we had nine more scoring chances than they did and we ended up losing 7-2," Grandmaître explained. "We were disappointed with some of the big mistakes but we were happy with our intensity and the fact we never quit."

The Gee-Gees opened the contest against Guelph with a hot start. Cody Drover converted on the power play just two minutes in to give Ottawa an early lead.

In the second period, Guelph responded with three goals in 11 minutes and carried their lead into the third period.

Early in the third, both teams were quick to swap goals, with Drover potting his second of the night.

A scramble in front of Guelph's crease was completed by Jacob Hanlon, once more pulling the Gee-Gees within one goal with just six minutes remaining on the clock. With momentum tilting in favour of the Gee-Gees, Yvan Mongo raced into the zone and deked around the goaltender to tie the game.

With the game now tied, the Gee-Gees continued to pour on the attack. Dominic Cormier drew a penalty with a second remaining in regulation, sending the Gee-Gees to a power play at the start of overtime.

Just 30 seconds into the extra frame, Drover completed his hat trick by burying a rebound and completing the comeback for the Garnet and Grey.

"I'm just glad to get the win for the boys, we battled all game," Drover said after the game. "I thought we didn't deserve the fate that we had so it's good to bounce back and get a win for the boys."

Up next, the Gee-Gees host McGill on Friday, October 25. Tickets are available now at tickets.geegees.ca.