A hard-fought victory
Gatineau – The Gatineau Olympiques (11-25-2-2) were in action Wednesday night at the Slush Puppie Centre to face their division rival, the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (17-18-3-0). For the host team, Zach Pelletier was the starting goaltender, boasting a .866 save percentage this season. For the visitors, Olivier Ciarlo was in goal. This was only his 5th game in an Armada uniform following his departure from Baie-Comeau on December 17.
Charles Boutin also played his first game as captain of the Gatineau Olympiques. And Mathis Gauthier is playing his first home game in an Olympiques uniform. Gauthier already has 1 goal and 4 assists in two games with the team.
A back-and-forth period
The Olympiques control the disc in the offensive zone for the first 10 minutes, but no one can find the back of the net. Finally, it was Félix Ouellet (2nd) who opened the scoring by sending a bouncing puck behind Olivier Ciarlo. The goal was reviewed, but awarded, as the puck had left the back of the net as quickly as it had entered it. However, the Armada hit back moments later. Mateo Nobert (7th) evened the score by receiving Tommy Montreuil’s pass on a 2-on-1.
A quick start to the second
Blainville-Boisbriand wasted no time in taking the lead in the second period. It was Mathis Cloutier (1) who beat #40 with a perfect shot from a tight angle, but only 11 seconds later it was back to square one, as Alexander Gaudio (8) shot just under the opposing goalie’s arm to tie the game. Next, Eliot Litalien was punished for giving the tape to Émile Dubois, who lay on the ice for a few moments. Fortunately, he gets up and stays in the game, while Litalien has to sit out for 2 minutes or less. No further goals were scored in the period, despite several dangerous opportunities and a power play for both teams.
A turnaround-filled 20
The trend was repeated in the third period, as the Armada scored in the opening minutes.Tommy Montreuil’s (3) attempted pass was blocked by Jan Golicic, but the puck went straight back to him and he took advantage to give his side the lead with a shot that went just between the blade of Pelletier and his buddy.Finally, Jacob Kaine (5) levelled the score with a precise shot into the top corner.However, a scramble in the defensive zone allowed Matt Gosselin (3) to restore his side’s lead with only 2:19 remaining in an almost gaping cage.Zach Pelletier is pulled to put all the chances on his team’s side, and the Armada take a two-goal lead into an empty net, until it’s pulled on review, as the linesman had seen a 4-minute high-sticking penalty before the goal. Gatineau went on the power play with 50 seconds left. At exactly 0.7 seconds, Mathis Gauthier (7) scores to send the game into overtime!
Minville ends the game
The Olympiques began the first period down to 4-on-3 for two minutes, and they took full advantage! Jérémie Minville (23) puts an end to the game and gives his team a 3rd consecutive victory for the first time this season.
Final score 4-3 in favor of the Olympiques, who dominate the shootout 38-27.
The game’s first star was Jérémie Minville, who scored the winning goal in overtime.
The Olympiques’ next game is this Friday (January 12) against Foreurs de Val d’Or, at the Slush Puppie Center.
Text by Philippe Villeneuve
