Gaels men's hockey team one win away from Queen's Cup appearance

Gananoque's Nolan Hutcheson scores twice to lead Queen's past UQTR in OUA semifinal opener.

The Queen's Gaels men's hockey team made the most of their final home game of the season.

They defeated the UQTR Patriotes 5-3 in the opener of their best-of-three OUA semifinals.

More than 1,100 at the Memorial Centre saw the Gaels jump to a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Michael Renwick. The Patriotes tied up but the Gaels regained the lead 25 seconds later on a goal by Nolan Hutcheson.

Queen's were up 3-1 in the second period when UQTR battled back scoring consecutive goals by Conro Frenette to tie it up at 3.

Then the Gaels got into penalty trouble. First was a double minor on Ante Zlomislic for high sticking then, after Patriotes' Zach Gravel went off for tripping, Lucas Peric was called for tripping. That gave UQTR a 5-on-3 for 22 seconds.

The Patriotes applied plenty of pressure down low but Tanner Wickware came up with some big saves and the Gaels eventually killed off both penalties.

Head coach Brett Gibson says that period showed how resilient the Gaels have been all season.

Hutcheson says their penalty killing was outstanding in the game.

Both teams had chances to break the tie in the third but it wasn't until Hutcheson scored his second of the game that put the Gaels up 4-3. 

Liam Tanner would get his second of the game into an empty net to seal the victory.

Gibson says he expected to face a determined Patriotes team and his team were up to the task.

The next two games of the series will be in Trois-Rivières, Que on Saturday and, if necessary, Sunday. The winner will advance to the Queen's Cup championship.

Story by Ken Hashizume