MHKY | Voyageurs Corral Paladins, Claim Playoff Berth
February 10, 2018
On Saturday night, the Voyageurs men's hockey team beat the visiting RMC Paladins 4-2.
This game was a very important game as both teams were battling for a playoff spot. The team that would leave this contest with a win would be the team to receive the 8th and final playoff spot.
This do or die contest started off early as the Voyageurs opened the scoring promptly as Richard Therrien scored his team leading 13th goal just 1:04 into the first period. Blake Forslund and Caleb Apperson assisted on the play.
RMC was quick to answer, however, just four minutes later when Deric Boudreau beat Mackenzie Savard short handed to tie the already intense contest.
RMC would add another late in the period as Bruce Hornbrook would score on the powerplay at 17:56, sending both teams to the first intermission with the Paladins up 2-1.
The Vees would then break the tie late in the second period at 17:07 from a tip goal by Richard Therrin adding to his tally. The assists on that goal would be Dylan Fitze and Kaden Ruest.
The third period was very intense as RMC showcased a very strong and valiant effort and left nothing on the table.
Moments got very tense as the Vees supplied RMC with a four minute power play with five minutes remaining, giving RMC a very good opportunity to tie and potentially the game.
The Vees' Mackenzie Savard came up large with many game saving saves, bailing the Vees out of the four minute power play.
Couture would add an insurance marker with just under a minute remaining, converting a 2-on-1 with Pedersen. After the Paladins pulled the goaltender in a last ditch effort, Luke McCaw would ice the game with four seconds remaining, making the final score 5-2.
With the win, the Voyageurs grabbed the 8th and final playoff spot and earned a date with the McGill Redmen in the first round. Game 1 goes Wednesday night at Countryside Arena at 7:35pm before shifting to Montreal on the weekend for games 2 and 3.
Sam Brooks
Sports Writer