January 16, 2006 (OUA) - Theres just no beating the McGill Redmen these days. The streaking Redmen, ranked number two in the CIS, extended their league undefeated streak to 15 games (dating back to last season) with a 3-1 win over the Concordia Stingers Friday in front of over 1,400 fans at an overflowing McConnell Arena. Tied 1-1, sophomore winger Eric LItalien tracked down a loose puck and notched the winner for McGill shorthanded at 6:49 of the third period. Doug Orr added a power-play marker in the final minute of regulation, while Shawn Shewchuk chipped in a pair of assists. Gatineau, QC native Mathieu Poitras made 18 saves for his ninth win of the year. The emotionally-charged match-up of Montreal rivals produced 91 penalty minutes, three ejections and over 100 body checks. McGill leads the Far East with a sparkling 12-0-2-0 record.
The Laurier Golden Hawks stayed atop the OUAs Mid West with a pair of wins over the Guelph Gryphons this week, beginning with a 4-3 road victory Thursday. Laurier tallied three times in the third period to complete a comeback. Nick Vergeer had a goal and an assist for the Hawks, while James Edgar set up two goals. OUA scoring leader Jesse Pyatt had two assist for the Gryphons. The Hawks doubled up Guelph in the second game 6-3. The Gryphs built a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes in the back end of the home-and-home but Laurier replied with three goals in the second period of a chippy game that featured 78 penalty minutes handed out. Edgar had a goal and two assists, while Ricky Moher added a goal and a helper. Justin Day made 28 saves in the Laurier goal. Pyatt, Jeff Cook and Thomas Laplante each scored for Guelph (4-9-3-0) in the Mid West).
The York Lions and Brock Badgers met for a home-and home this week, splitting the games as they battle for position with Laurier in the Mid West. Matt Passfield and Marcus Smith had a goal and an assist each as York skated to a 3-2 win in the opener Thursday. Sean Langdon notched the winner short-handed in the second period, while Kevin Druce made 27 stops to pick up the victory in net. Brock took control off the hop in the second meeting, scoring three times in the first period on goals by Chris Knighton, Shawn Doucet and Jason Harshaw. Tyler Harrison put the Lions on the board in the second period and Smith added a second goal in the third but they couldnt beat Matthew Harpwood again as the standout Brock goalie turned in a 29-save performance for his sixth win of the year. The Badgers trail both Laurier and York by three points.
The Mid East-leading RMC Paladins had a busy week, going 1-1-1-0 in three games. RMC started strong with a four-goal explosion in the first period of their meeting with the rival Queens Golden Gaels Wednesday but Queens rallied to score twice in the second and two more in the third to scrape out a 4-4 tie. Dion Lahoda had two goals and an assist for the Paladins, while Paul Bradley scored once and set up two other goals. Brady Olsen scored twice for the Gaels. RMC then dropped a disappointing 4-2 decision to division rival Toronto Varsity Blues Friday. Brampton, ON native Anthony Pallotta had a big night for the visiting blues, scoring twice, while adding an assist. Andrew Smale added three assists for Toronto, while Paul Bradley had a goal and an assist for the Paladins. RMC closed the week out with a convincing 8-1 decision over the winless Ryerson Rams Saturday. RMC built a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes and then added four more goals in the final period. Adam Purdy and Matt Fetzner had a goal and two assist each, while Brent Maurice chipped in three helpers. Blair Robertson stopped 22 of 23 shots for the win. Lahoda also scored a goal, giving him 10 on the year, to go along with 10 assists.
The Ottawa Gee-Gees made a statement in their only game of the week with a 4-0 win over the UQTR Patriotes Friday. Jerome Briere scored twice, while Dion Dhillon added two assists. Mathieu Blanchard stopped all 3