RECAP: Men’s hockey defeats Paladins for first win of 2020

The offence has been rolling for the Gee-Gees men's hockey team in 2020, as the team has now scored 14 times through two games. Their latest victory was a 7-2 thumping of the Royal Military College Paladins on January 8 at Constantine Arena in Kingston, Ont.

"We're happy coming out with the win," said head coach Patrick Grandmaître. "I thought our whole team, in general, played well. All 20 players were involved in the game."

The Gee-Gees pounced on the Paladins early and often, scoring four times in the first 15 minutes of the contest. Yvan Mongo found the back of the net twice from close range, before Kevin Domingue and John Deacon added to the lead.

The goal was a big one for Deacon, who threw the monkey off his back by scoring for the first time since February 10, 2017.

"It's not easy in university sports where we have to carry big rosters to compensate for injuries and prepare for different matchups," explained Grandmaître. "John and a couple of the other guys don't get to be in the lineup that often, but we're fortunate to have so many character guys who are there for the team."

RMC clawed their way back into the game with a marker in the closing stages of the first period from Sam Cameron. Alex MacDonald pulled the home team to within two early in the second, but it would be all Gee-Gees from there.

Jacob Hanlon wheeled into the slot and put one past Owen Sikkes for his second goal in as many games to start 2020. Hanlon and Brendan Jacome both appeared in their 100th career regular season games on Wednesday.

Adam Beveridge added to the lead with a booming clapper from the point – his first goal of the season.

The third period saw the offence dry up, save for a Nicolas Mattinen blast on the powerplay to make the final score 7-2.

Anthony Brodeur steered aside 22 shots to earn his third win of the year.

Dominic Cormier continued his tremendous rookie campaign. The Moncton, N.B., product earned three helpers in the game and now has the most assists among rearguards in the OUA with 15 this season. He is also tied for second in scoring by defencemen with 18 points.

"He's been quietly getting a lot of points and rewarded offensively," said Grandmaître. "I can't say he's had a bad game. He's had bad shifts here and there, but he's been real solid every game."
Ottawa was 1-for-3 on the man advantage and 2-for-2 on the kill. The Garnet and Grey penalty kill is now at 92.5 percent, tops in the Ontario conference.

With the victory, the Gee-Gees (13-4-2) are now two points behind the UQTR Patriotes (14-4-2) for second place, with a game in-hand. The Patriotes are in Ottawa for a pivotal weekend back-to-back at the Minto Sports Complex on January 11 and 12.