MHKY | Voyageurs One Shot Away From Taking Game One, Lose in OT 2-1
February 15, 2017
On Wednesday night, the Voyageurs men's hockey team was just one shot away from taking the first game of the opening round of playoffs in sudden death overtime, but unfortunately fell to the top ranked McGill Redmen, 2-1.
After a tense start to the first period, the Voyageurs drew first blood on their second powerplay of the period. Caleb Apperson, showing great patience at the blue line, faked a slap shot, paused a moment, then ripped a wrist shot past the blocker of the McGill goaltender, giving the Vees a crucial 1-0 lead.
The Redmen, showing exactly why they finished atop the standings, refused to head into the first intermission down a goal. With 23 seconds left in the first period, Guillaume Gauthier capatlized on a Voyageur turnover.
Neither team would be able to score a goal in the second period and the Voyageurs successfully killed off the only penalty of the period.
The third period was almost an identical story, again with no goals and the Voyageurs taking the only penalty. Joel Vienneau was incredible throughout regulation, making 42 saves during regulation and keeping the game tied at one.
In overtime, it didn't take McGill long to finally solve Vienneau, as Frederic Gamelin finished off a pretty passing play at 3:25 sending the series back to McGill with a 1-0 lead in the series.
With the tough loss, the Voyageurs are heading to McGill in a do-or-die situation, as the first round being a best 2 out of 3 series means the Vees must win the next two in a row. Game two goes Saturday night in Montreal.