Box Score

MONTREAL - Christophe Longpré-Poirier of Longueuil, Que., scored what proved to be the game-winner, on a power-play, only 79 seconds after the opening faceoff and goaltender Hubert Morin of St. Georges de Beauce, Que., registered 26 saves for the shutout as McGill blanked the visiting Queen's Gaels 2-0 in OUA men's hockey before a mid-week crowd of 438 at McConnell Arena, Wednesday.

It marked the 22nd consecutive victory for McGill over their longtime rivals dating back to a 5-2 victory for the Gaels in Montreal on Feb. 6, 2004. Since the rivalry started in 1895, McGill owns a 116-50-2 lifetime record.

"Hubert had a great game in goal tonight, real solid," said Redmen bench boss Kelly Nobes. "We talked about our penalty kill being real important for us and set an objective tonight for the PK being over 90 per cent and Hubert was a big part of that. It was good to see him put in two consecutive good outings, including the last game at Dartmouth (40 saves in a 2-1 exhibition loss on Oct. 20)."

The Redmen came out firing on all cylinders but other than the early marker, had a tough time converting their chances against Gaels goaltender Riley Whitlock, a fifth-year veteran from Calgary. By the time the final buzzer sounded, McGill had racked up a 41-26 margin in shots, including a 20-8 edge in the opening frame.

Despite the lopsided shots tally, the final outcome was in actually doubt until there was just over five minutes remaining, when rookie centre Jonathan Brunelle of Boisbriand, Que., knocked in a rebound that was initiated by a point shot from defenceman Vincent Bourgeois. It was Brunelle's team-leading fourth marker of the season.

"We had a great first period, had some good looks on offence tonight but didn't generate enough from our scoring chances," noted Nobes. "Then we killed off seven penalties of our own so I thought we showed some good resilience for a young team."

The game featured 53 minutes in penalties, including 39 by the Gaels, who set some sort of record when Brendon MacDonald drew a costly slashing penalty only three seconds after the first puck was dropped, which led to Longpré-Poirier's winning marker.

MacDonald also collected another 15 PIMs on a rare match penalty and game ejection after he was whistled for checking from behind midway through the second period. The penalty calls for at least a three-game suspension and possibly longer as McGill's Hugo Laporte was injured on the play. The sophomore defenceman received a dangerous hit to the neck area and lay crumpled on the ice for close to five minutes before being helped off the ice with a dazed and confused look on his face. Laporte, who will be re-examined by the medical staff on Thursday, is not expected to play this weekend.

"That was just a vicious hit and there is no room for that type of hockey in our league, or any league for that matter," said Nobes. "It was just absolute garbage."

McGill, which improved to 2-3 after dropping their first three regular season games, jumped from ninth to fifth in the OUA East, tied with four other teams, including Queen's (2-2). The heated rivalry continues on Friday in Kingston in what will be their final meeting of the regular season.

REDMEN RAP: Ken Morin, from the hockey operations office of the Montreal Canadiens, was spotted in attendance for the second time in as many McGill home games. Morin, who patrolled the Redmen blueline for four seasons and served as team captain in 2008-09, didn't indicate if he was there for business or pleasure... Next week, the Redmen will host their second annual "Score with School" game when they host the York Lions in a regular-season affair slated for a rare 10:30 a.m. start at McConnell arena. Last year, the inaugural "Score with School" promotion drew 3,780 students from 15 elementary and high schools for a game between McGill and RMC at the Verdun Auditorium. The game has been moved to the McGill campus this year and only about 150 tickets remain unsold. Tickets can be purchased between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Redbird Sports Shop (514-398-1539), located in the lobby of the McGill Sports Centre, 475 Pine Avenue West.

SCORING SUMMARY

Queen's 0 at McGill 2

(Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 - McConnell Arena)

GOALS BY PERIOD
Queen's 0-0-0 -- 0
McGill 1-0-1 -- 2

1st Period-

1, McGill, Christophe Longpre-Poirier 2 (Hugo Laporte), 1:19 (PP).

Penalties-

MacDonald Qns (slashing), 0:03;

Soquila Qns (interference), 5:32;

Langelier-Parent Mcg (roughing), 8:52.

2nd Period-

(No Scoring)

Penalties-

Ouellet Qns (tripping), 0:50;

Laporte Mcg (hooking), 4:39;

Bureau Qns (interference), 5:39;

Laporte Mcg (roughing), 8:33;

MacDonald Qns (5-min. match penalty - checking from behind, game ejection), 10:43;

Delisle-Houde Mcg (tripping), 17:30;

Rose Mcg (roughing), 20:00.

3rd Period-

2, McGill, Jonathan Brunelle 4 (Vincent Bourgeois, Guillaume Monast), 14:49.

Penalties-

McKiernan Mcg (hooking), 2:26;

Wiebe Qns (holding), 16:23;

Brunelle Mcg (slashing), 17:54;

Jackson Qns (spearing dble minor), 19:44;

Mirwaldt Qns (10-minute misconduct), 19:44.

Shots on Goal-

Queen's 8-9-9 -- 26.

McGill 20-11-10 -- 41.

Power Play Opportunities-

Queen's 0 / 7;

McGill 1 / 7.

Penalties-

Queen's 10 / 39;

McGill 7 / 14.

Goalies-

Queen's, Riley Whitlock (L, 2-2-0, 41 shots-39 saves, 59:10).

McGill, Hubert Morin (W, 1-1-0, 26 shots-26 saves; SHO, 60:00).

Referees-Dominic Bedard, Pierre Lambert.

Linesmen-Benoit Martineau, Elliot Kmec.

Attendance: 438

Start: 7:01 PM

End: 9:12 PM

Length: 2:11

MOLSON CUP THREE STARS:

1. MCG - 1 Hubert Morin
2. MCG - 26 Christophe Longpre-Poirier
3. MCG - 18 Jonathan Brunelle