LAVAL, Que. – Defenceman Xavier Bouchard scored the overtime winner as McGill rallied to defeat UQTR 7-6 in men's university hockey preseason play on Sunday at Place Bell.

Bouchard's marker at 2:38 of the extra frame capped a wild contest that saw the Patriotes erase a 5-1 deficit before the Redbirds forced overtime with a late equalizer.

McGill forwards Zach Gallant and Xavier Fortin each tallied twice, while Caiden Daley and Charles-Antoine Dumont added singles. Dumont tied the game 6-6 at 18:13 of the third period, just 12 seconds after UQTR had taken the lead on Vincent Milot-Ouellet's fourth goal of the afternoon.

The result improved McGill's preseason record to 4-2 and marked their second straight exhibition victory over the Pats, following a 3-1 decision in Trois-Rivières on Sept. 14.

McGill, which had a 39-35 edge in shots, went 2-for-6 on the power-play and erased three of four shorthanded scenarios.

Goaltender Alexis Shank made 29 saves for McGill to collect the win. At the other end, UQTR starter William Grimard allowed two goals on 20 shots before being relieved by Charles-Antoine Lavallée, who took the loss after conceding five goals on 12 shots.

Milot-Ouellet led the Patriotes with four goals, while Pier-Olivier Roy and Anthony Munroe-Boucher added singles.

The Redbirds will conclude their exhibition schedule on Sept. 27 in the nation's capital against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Their OUA regular season opener is set for Oct. 4 at Nipissing.