(Marc-Olivier Vachon chases loose puck in game versus Waterloo last year. Photo by Andrew Dobrowolskyj)

LONDON, Ont - Marc-Olivier Vachon, a sophomore forward froam Thetford Mines, Que., scored a natural hat-trick in a span of eight minutes and 23 seconds as McGill rallied for a 6-3 victory over Waterloo to open the Western Mustangs preseason men's hockey tournament, Friday.

It marked the second hat-trick in as many games for the defending national champs, who also accomplished the feat last week when rookie Mathieu Pompei notched here in a 5-1 win over RMC.

McGill trailed 1-0 only 34 seconds into the game and 2-1 midway through the opening period as Colin Behenna netted a pair for the Mustangs. The Redmen tied it at 2-2 when Justin Ducharme, a sophomore from Quebec City, connected at 17:28.

Vachon, who tallied only six goals in 23 games overall last season, then turned on the jets in the middle stanza, scoring at 3:47, 5:45 (power-play) and 12:10 to put McGill ahead 5-2 after two. He also set up the first Redmen goal scored by defenceman Nicholas Therrien of Chateauguay, Que., at 8:25 of the opening period.

Waterloo's Josh Wolley narrowed the gap to 5-3 at the 5:05 mark of the final period but McGill freshman Vincent Barnard of Sept-Iles, Que., put the game out of reach with first career marker with only 2:54 remaining in regulation.

Fifth-year netminder Hubert Morin of St. Georges de Beauce, Que.,registered the win for the Redmen, while Justin Leclerc took the loss for Waterloo.

McGill improved to 2-0 in preseason play and 10-16-3 lifetime against the Warriors. The Redmen (2-0) plays Western on Saturday at 7:35 p.m. The Mustangs are 1-0 after edging Concordia 4-3 on Friday.

SCORING SUMMARY
Waterloo 3 at McGill 6

(PRESEASON; Fri., Sept. 21, 2012 - Thompson Arena)


1st Period-
1, Waterloo, Colin Behenna 1 (Kirt Hill), 0:34.
2, McGill, Nicolas Therrien 1 (M.O. Vachon), 8:25.
3, Waterloo, Colin Behenna 2 (J.Woolley, A.Smith), 11:30.
4, McGill, Justin Ducharme 2 (J. Brunelle, G. Langelier-Parent), 17:28.

Penalties-
M.Sartoretto Wat (checking to the head, 10-minute misconduct), 3:16;
J.Woolley Wat (checking to the head, 10-minute misconduct), 14:54;
C.Behenna Wat (cross checking, roughing), 20:00;
D. Rose Mcg (roughing), 20:00.

2nd Period-
5, McGill, Marc-Olivier Vachon 1 (P.Delisle-Houde, V.Bourgeois), 3:47.
6, McGill, Marc-Olivier Vachon 2 (J.Brunelle, D.Rose), 5:45 (PP).
7, McGill, Marc-Olivier Vachon 3 (M.Pompei, D.Rose), 12:10.

Penalties-
C.Behenna Wat (high sticking), 4:20;
N.Biniek Mcg (cross checking), 9:55;
N.Biniek Mcg (illegal equipment), 14:01;
K.Hill Wat (slashing), 18:23.

3rd Period-
8, Waterloo, Josh Woolley 1 (Caldwell), 5:05.
9, McGill, Vincent Barnard 1 (N.Biniek, T.Braun), 18:06.

Penalties-
J.P. Mathieu Mcg (roughing), 3:34;
M.Sartoretto Wat (roughing), 12:22;
G. Monast Mcg (checking to the head, 10-minute misconduct), 16:10;
K. Dupont Mcg (checking from behind, game misconduct), 19:59.

GOALS BY PERIOD:
Waterloo 2-0-1 -- 3
McGill 2-3-1 -- 6

Shots on Goal-
Waterloo 12-5-6 -- 23.
McGill 12-13-11  -- 36.

Power Play Opportunities-
Waterloo 0 / 5;
McGill 1 / 6.

Goalies-
Waterloo, Justin Leclerc (L, 0-1-0, 36 shots-30 saves; 60:00).
McGill, Hubert Morin (W, 2-0-0, 23 shots-20 saves; 60:00).

Att-100

Referees-Scott Brown.

Linesmen-Mr. Jaskula, Mr. Kelly.

THREE STARS:

1. Marc-Olivier Vachon, McGill

2. Colin Behenna, Waterloo

3. David Rose, McGill

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

Communications Officer

Athletics & Recreation

McGill University

514-398-7012 (Tel.)

m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)

www.mcgill.ca/athletics

earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca

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