When everything was on the line—season, pride, and a shot at nationals—the Gaels delivered their most complete performance of the year, blanking the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues 4-0 to secure OUA bronze and the final spot at the U SPORTS National Championship, set for March 21 to 23.
The Varsity Blues closed out their second season in the OUA West with an impressive 17–11 record, but Queen’s had already proven they could outmatch them, winning 5–2 earlier in the season on Oct. 12.
Men’s Hockey Head Coach Brett Gibson noted that while the early-season win may have given the players some confidence, he didn’t put much stock in past results.
“From a player’s point of view, it probably holds some value because they feel confident going into it, but from a coach, that was in October or November. Both teams are playing totally different than they were then,” Gibson said in an interview with The Journal at the beginning of playoffs.
This time, confidence turned into dominance.
The opening period was tight, with both teams struggling to create high-danger chances, but the Gaels broke the deadlock in the second and never looked back.
Nolan Hutcheson, ArtSci ’25, opened the scoring for Queen’s with a highlight reel goal, catching Toronto’s defense flat-footed, dangling past the goaltender, and tucking the puck home to give the Gaels a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later, Nathan Ribau, ArtSci ’27, fired a shot from the blue line that found its way to the back of the net, doubling the Gaels lead.
Refusing to take their foot off the gas, the Gaels continued to hound the Blues, with goaltender Christian Purboo, ArtSci ’25, remaining strong and continuing his role as a dependable puck-stopper.
With less than seven minutes left in the second frame, Hutcheson doubled down on his scoring of the day, potting a rebounded Sam Marburg, ArtSci ’27, shot that hit the post.
The Gaels’ defensive unit, led by Captain Jack Duff, Sci ’25, deflected any danger the Blues tried to impose on them. Killing off penalties and keeping the opposing offensive players to the outside, the Gaels were able to limit the high-danger chances that threatened Purboo’s flawless game.
Throughout the third, the Gaels stood strong—and with just under five minutes left in the game— Ante Zlomislic, Sci ’28, sealed the deal for the Gaels, firing the puck over the Blues’ goaltender off of a two-on-one feed from Liam Tanner, Kin ’28.
With the victory, Queen’s now looks ahead to the U SPORTS National Championships in Ottawa, where they’ll have an opportunity to improve upon provincial bronze and secure their first national banner.
The Gaels first game of the championships is on March 21 against the Saskatchewan Huskies at TD Place, home of the Ottawa Senators. The Huskies finished 36-6-0 this season, first in Canada. As the second seed, the Gaels have their work cut out for them.
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