Montreal, QC – After beating the Concordia Stingers by a 3-2 final on Thursday evening, it was the offence that spoke for Ottawa in game two on Saturday at Ed Meagher Arena. As such, after two quick games which saw non-stop aggression despite limited scoring, it was the Gee-Gees coming out on top after beating the Stingers by a 7-2 final.

Entering game two on Saturday, the Concordia Stingers named Kyle Jessiman as starter while he went up against Domenic Graham following a 3-2 loss on Thursday in Ottawa.

Through the game’s opening period, it was aggressive right from the get go as Cody Drover, just thirty seconds in, took a hit to the boards from right-winger Chase Harwell. Seconds later, with the visiting Gee-Gees keeping that fire lit inside them defensively, Harwell was back with another hit, this time laying one on Kevin Domingue.

While this meant extra work for the hometown Stingers to find their groove, it was Anthony Beauchamp who would find the loose puck before lightning the lamp with the game’s first goal. The goal, his third of the playoffs, would give the Stingers a 1-0 lead.

While that broke open the scoring, the Concordia lead wouldn’t last for long as two minutes later, Yvan Mongo dangled through the Stingers defence to knot the game up at one. The goal, his second of the playoffs, would be assisted by Michael Poirier.

That wouldn’t be all for the hungry Gee-Gees from the nation’s capital as just 14 seconds later, it was captain Quinn O’Brien who would put them ahead with a goal of his own. The go-ahead goal for Ottawa would be O’Brien’s second goal of the playoffs.

Fast forward a minute later, the Ottawa Gee-Gees would head to the penalty kill as Dominic Cormier was sent the box at the 6:09 mark, being called for tripping. While this remained in effect, the Concordia Stingers were called for interference. As such, for the next 1:04, the period was played out with four-on-four action.

Now at the halfway point and the game still tied back at even strength, the Ottawa Gee-Gees were handed the power play, seeking to do further damage on Concordia. While running high on the advantage, the hometown Gee-Gees would draw another penalty, but they weren’t alone on that end as the Stingers were sent to the box for hooking.

During the Ottawa power play, a pair of chances were taken on Jessiman, but not resulting in further production as three minutes later, they were back on the power play. Just ten seconds later while being tested despite the advantage, it was Tyler Hylland with the shorthanded goal, his sixth of the playoffs to tie the game up at two. The last three minutes would ring out as the clock counted down and the game siren sounded. That would see the first period end with the Stingers and Gee-Gees knotted up in Montreal.

Jumping along to the second following the game’s first intermission, it was Ottawa pouncing early and often as Martin Frechette got the Gee-Gees going. Back on the ice after twenty, the forward got the offence going for Ottawa as he drove to the net with a pair of shots, but blocked by Concordia en route to the net. That would allow for a hooking call, this seeing the Gee-Gees getting called to the power play.

Just under thirty seconds later and Ottawa up on the advantage to Concordia, this would see Kevin Domingue make no mistake to put the Gee-Gees ahead. The goal, scored on the power play, would be his fifth of the OUA playoffs. Nick Mattinen and Dominic Cormier would be awarded with assists on the play.

Moving along just five minutes later, the Ottawa Gee-Gees would be on the penalty kill while Concordia unloaded on Graham, this seeing the Gee-Gees contained to their own zone. While able to hold the Stingers scoreless, Ottawa faced further trouble soon after as Quinn O’Brien was called for tripping, this sending him off for a second penalty kill.

That allowed both sides respectively to fire a number of shots either way. Despite an offensive outburst, it wouldn’t result in a change to the scoreboard. Jumping ahead again, just four minutes later at the 12:54 mark, Kevin Domingue would go for the wrap-around, but revert those plans at the Concordia net. As such, he would receive a hook, this sending the Gee-Gees yet again to the power play.

Thankfully for the hometown Stingers, they would kill off the penalty with just seven minutes left. As the period continued to play out, it was the Gee-Gees clearly dominating and as they did so, with just three minutes left, it was Brendan Jacome who would bury home the rebound. This would double Ottawa’s lead with Jacome’s third goal of the OUA playoffs. The goal would be assisted by Matthew Dunlop and Cody Drover.

Just over a minute later, the Stingers would be called for an interference penalty. That would give the Gee-Gees an advantage for the last two minutes of the game’s second period. As even strength resumed a moment later, the clock would once again run down as the game siren sounded after forty minutes in Montreal. That would see the second frame conclude with the Ottawa Gee-Gees up by two on the Stingers.

With just twenty minutes remaining, the Stingers and Ottawa would return to the ice, this seeing the Gee-Gees get off to the races just 29 seconds after dropping the puck. That would see Kevin Domingue, a U Sports sensation, rise once again as the fourth-year centreman potted the puck, his second goal of the game against Concordia. The goal, scored on the power play, would be his sixth of the OUA playoffs. The goal would be assisted by Cody Drover and Connor Sills.

As the game continued onward, it was the Gee-Gees limiting the Stingers as defensemen Nick Mattinen continued this theme with a goal of his own just six minutes later. The goal, his second of the playoffs, would put Ottawa up by four, 6-2. The goal would be assisted by fourth-year centreman Jacob Hanlon.

Now, with the finals well in sight, just five minutes later at the 11:31 mark, Jacob Sweeney would be called for tripping, this giving the Stingers an opportunity to draw closer. With Sweeney off the ice for the Gee-Gees, the hometown Stingers would go digging for damage, however, the defence put in place by Ottawa would hold Concordia silent while killing the penalty.

As even strength resumed, this would leave things off to the last eight minutes as the hometown Stingers pulled Jessiman from the net, this done in favour of a six-on-four. Despite adding extra help, it was of no use at this point in the game as Yvan Mongo scored a shorthanded goal with the net wide empty just 17 seconds later. The goal, his second of the game, would give the Ottawa Gee-Gees a 7-2 lead.

Mongo’s third goal of the playoffs would pretty much do it for the home-and-home series. From that game telling point, the clock would die down in the last eight minutes. With the fans now on their feet and one minute left in the semifinal matchup, the Stingers and Gee-Gees would take one last spin as the game siren sounded at Ed Meagher Arena.

That would mean only one thing. As the celebrations quickly ensued, the Ottawa Gee-Gees had booked their spot in the Queen’s Cup Final against the Guelph Gryphons. As well, the win secured them a spot at the 2020 U SPORTS National Championship.

For the Gee-Gees, it will be their first appearance at the National Championship dating back to 2004. Speaking of which, this year’s tournament is being hosted in Halifax from Thursday March 12th to Sunday March 15th. All games will be available for streaming on CBC Sports via CBC Gem.

As for the Concordia Stingers, they look to lock down a nationals spot with a bronze medal win over Western on Saturday. Guelph beat the eighth-place Mustangs by a 4-3 final on home ice on Sunday. Puck drop for the bronze medal game is scheduled to fall at 3:00pmET. The game, which is set to be played at Thompson Arena in the cities’ North end, is available for viewing on OUA.tv with coverage to follow on 49 Sports.

Last, but not least, the gold medal game for the league’s Queen’s Cup. Both sides look to move it rather than lose it in the OUA Finals. As such, puck drop on Saturday is scheduled to fall at 7:00pmET. The game, which is set to be played at Gryphon Centre Arena on the campus of Guelph, is available for viewing on OUA.tv with coverage to follow on 49 Sports.