Men's Hockey 2/4/2012 12:45:00 PM

Voss is Boss in final game at McConnell Arena

(McGill captain Evan Vossen will graduate this spring after suiting in more games than any player in Redmen team history. Photo by Andrew Dobrowolskyj)

MONTREAL - Team captain Evan Vossen of Swift Current, Sask., scored the game-winner and added a helper as the top-ranked McGill Redmen skated to a narrow 4-3 win over Carleton in men's hockey at McConnell Arena, Saturday.

It was the final regular-season home game of an industrious collegiate career for the fifth-year veteran who will graduate this spring with a degree in industrial relations. The rugged six-foot, 195-pound winger was playing in his 204th career contest overall, a school record for longevity.

McGill jumped into a 3-0 first period lead on goals by Jean-Francois Boisvert of Mirabel, Que., Alex Picard-Hooper of Boucherville, Que., and Francis Verreault-Paul of Mashteuiatsh, Que., who was set up by Vossen for his 19th marker in 21 games. Verreault-Paul, who is two shy of CIS goal-scoring leader Blair Macaulay of the Manitoba Bisons, is bidding to lead the nation in goals for an unprecedented third consecutive season.

After defenceman Michael Folkes put the Ravens on the scoreboard at 2:27 of the middle period, Vossen connected with his 12th of the season to give McGill what appeared to be an insurmountable 4-1 lead heading into the final stanza. However, the Redmen ran into penalty trouble and Carleton took full advantage, getting power-play markers at 1:17 and 4:05, respectively, from Brandon MacLean and Tim Billingsley.

Carleton actually outshot McGill 36-28 but goaltender Hubert Morin came up with 33 saves for the win, improving to 12-4 on the season. He also got some help from his right goal-post when Carleton's Joe Pleckaitis was awarded a penalty-shot in the middle period after being hauled down by defenceman Ryan McKiernan while on a breakaway.

The win gave McGill the rubber match in the three games played with the pesky Ravens, a team that could very well be McGill's opponent in the OUA East best-of-three quarter-finals in two weeks. With two games left to play before the post-season begins, the Redmen reached the 20-win plateau for the fourth time in school history. McGill, which sits atop the OUA East with a 20-4-2 record, could also meet Ryerson, Concordia, Queen's, Ottawa or Toronto in the opening round.

McGill will travel to Concordia on Feb. 8 for the 25th annual Ronald Corey Cup game. The Stingers have won two of three meetings this season. Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Ed Meagher Arena. Then the Redmen will close out the regular campaign in the nation's capital on Feb. 10 when they play the Gee-Gees in a 7 p.m. start.

REDMEN RAP: McGill improved their lifetime record against Carleton to 20-15-1... Tom Kurvers, a pro scout for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning who once patrolled the blueline for the Montreal Canadiens, was spotted at McConnell Arena during both weekend games... Last week, the LA Kings also sent a scout to watch the Redmen play.

SCORING SUMMARY

Carleton 3 at McGill 4

(Saturday, February 4, 2012 - McConnell Arena)

GOALS BY PERIOD:
Carleton 0-1-2 -- 3
McGill 3-1-0 -- 4

1st Period-
1, McGill, Jean-Francois Boisvert 3 (N. Biniek, C. Longpre-Poirier), 2:00.
2, McGill, Alex Picard-Hooper 6 (N. Biniek, J.F. Boisvert), 5:36.
3, McGill, Francis Verreault-Paul 19 (R. McKiernan, E. Vossen), 19:04 (PP).

Penalties-
Pleckaitis Carl (tripping), 8:43;
Self Carl (hooking), 13:28;
Stanley Carl (interference), 18:53.

2nd Period-
4, Carleton, Michael Folkes 3 (B. MacLean, L. Bahm), 2:27.
5, McGill, Evan Vossen 12 (B. Morse), 15:14.

Penalties-
M.Langelier-Parent Mcg (high sticking), 3:25;
Verreault-Paul Mcg (hooking), 6:24;
Vossen Mcg (tripping), 7:50;
Lomas Carl (elbowing), 9:04;
McKiernan Mcg (hooking; PENALTY SHOT), 10:11;
Barrett Carl (high sticking), 16:10;
Stanisz Carl (boarding), 16:48.

3rd Period-
6, Carleton, Brandon MacLean 10 (T. Billingsley, M. Stanisz), 1:17 (PP).
7, Carleton, Tim Billingsley 2 (A. Glass, B. MacLean), 4:05 (PP).

Penalties-
Verreault-Paul Mcg (tripping), 0:33;
M.Langelier-Parent Mcg (hooking), 3:45;
Biniek Mcg (tripping), 8:32;
Self Carl (hooking), 16:25;
MacLean Carl (roughing), 19:42;
Daneau Mcg (roughing), 19:42.

Shots on Goal-
Carleton 9-13-14 -- 36.
McGill 15-9-4 -- 28.

Penalty Shot-

Joe Pleckaitis (Carleton) failed to score against Hubert Morin (McGill) at 10:11 of the second period.

Power Play Opportunities-
Carleton 2 / 6;
McGill 1 / 7.

Penalties-
Carleton 8 / 16;
McGill 8 / 14.

Goalies-
Carleton,
Matthew Dopud (L, 9-11-0, 28 shots-24 saves; 58:52).
Empty-net (0 goals, 1:08)

McGill,
Hubert Morin (W, 12-4-0, 36 shots-33 saves; 60:00).

Attendance: 312

Start: 7:05 PM