KINGSTON, ONT – Eric Uba of Kitchener, Ont., scored the game-winner midway through the final period as McGill extended its win streak to five games by conquering Queen's 4-3 in a Sunday matinee at the Kingston Memorial Centre

The result was also McGill's fifth straight win against their longtime foes from Kingston, in a rivalry that began 131-years ago, dating back to 1892. McGill leads the all-time series with a 135-56-2 overall record.

The Redbirds had a significant territorial advantage with a 41-24 margin in shots on goal. After a scoreless first period, the teams were knotted at 2-2 after the middle frame and McGill took the last period 2-1.

"Our guys really showed their speed tonight, especially the wingers who were able to open things up and put Queen's on their heels," said McGill head coach David Urquhart. "That's a way that I'd like to see us play going forward. Everyone contributed to getting two wins in Kingston on back-to-back days and it was nice to see that."

Uba upped his season tally to 5-4-9 in eight OUA games. He now has 37 career goals, including seven game-winning tallies, in 77 contests overall since enrolling at McGill in 2021.

Three other McGill players found the back of the net, including freshman forward Stephane Huard of Blainville, Que., junior defenceman Mitchell Prowse of Kelowna, B.C., and Alexandre Gagnon, a senior centre from Gatineau, Que.

Jonathan Yantsis replied with a pair for the Gaels, who pulled their goalie for an extra attacker in the final minute, resulting in a goal for Dalton Duhart.

Netminder Alexis Shank saved 21 of 24 shots for the win, while Christian Purboo kicked out 37 of 41 and took the loss. Shank, who improved to 4-2 on the season, is now ranked fifth among league leaders with a 2.21 goals-against average. He also has one shutout and a save percentage of .912.

McGill shone again on special teams, going 1-for-5 on the power-play and erasing all three shorthanded situations. The Redbirds continue to lead the entire OUA in both power-play (31.4%) and penalty-killing (93.8%).

"Our success on the PK has been as result of dedication to blocking shots and getting sticks the shooting lanes," said Urquhart, whose troops are the fourth least-penalized squad in the 19-team OUA . "It's really been a good team effort on the PK. Everybody has been in synch. You have to know where your teammates are and have to play off each other. The guys are making good reads and they're blocking shots and making the shots predictable for our goalies, which is very helpful for them. As for the power-play, we have two good units that are both clicking and special teams have been a big contributor to our success, especially in tight games."

The eight-team OUA East Division is more congested than rush hour in Montreal. McGill, which sits fifth with a 5-2-1 record, is just two points shy of division-leading Concordia (6-2-1) and Ottawa (6-2-1), with a game in hand. The Redbirds are just one-point behind UQTR (6-3-0) and Queen's (6-4-0).

A win at Trois-Rivieres on Wednesday (Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.) would result in a three-way tie for first place and an overtime win would create a four-way tie atop the standings.

REDBIRDS RAP: Two of the three McGill coaches behind the bench were hit by errant pucks in the game... Head coach Dave Urquhart took a glancing blow off his head in the second period and new assistant coach Peter Smith, the former long-time McGill women's coach, was hit in the third period, suffering a facial cut that required a couple of stitches after the game. It was the second time that Smith had been nicked this season. He previously took a body shot in an exhibition game at Vermont... The only one left unscathed thus far is associate coach Patrick Delisle-Houde.

SCORING SUMMARY

OUA SCOREBOARD

OUA STATS & STANDINGS


SOURCE
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca