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| CARR-HARRIS GAME REPORT |
| Paladins win 3-2 in shootout Kingston Whig Standard 11 Jan 2007 The Carr-Harris Cup is back in the hands of the Canadian military following the Royal Military College Paladins 3-2 shootout victory over the Queen's Golden Gaels last night at jam-packed Constantine Arena. Markers by Greg McDonald and Paul Bradley and flawless goalkeeping by Blair Robertson highlighted the shootout, with the latter shutting the door on all four Gaels shooters. "This win was the result of a lot of hard work by our guys," said fourth-year cadet Robertson, an angular native of Outlook, Sask. He sent the game to overtime with a point-blank save in the final minute of regulation. "This is such a great rivalry and we know [Queen's] is always going to play us tough. Our guys responded and never gave in." Unfortunately for the Paladins, who trail the Gaels by two points in the Ontario University Athletics Mid-East Division, the win did not come with the normal two-point reward. The shootout formula is not employed during OUA regular-season games, meaning this one goes into the books as a 2-2 deadlock. Don't try to push that tie-game nonsense on RMC Commandant Jocelyn Lacroix, who was among the 600 patrons (and two school bands) who filled the frigid shinny barn. "I'm not a hockey connoisseur by no means, but this is a great rivalry," said Lacroix, who was seated next to Queen's principal Karen Hitchcock. "This game is a tremendously important exchange for both teams, but especially for us. Because as soldiers, you sometimes have to work with your opponent and must sometimes have a rapport with your opponent afterwards. As soldiers, we have to learn to respect and support our opponent, and I see this game as good practice for what our players will have to do once they leave RMC." Paladins coach Jim Hulton, despite earning just one point, said intangible rewards, such as momentum and confidence, can be just as critical. "The shootout didn't help us point-wise, but it did allow us to come out on top and keep Carr-Harris Cup bragging rights for the next year," he said. "Fittingly, both teams earned a point, because there really isn't much to choose between the two teams. We would've liked the two points and played well enough to earn them, but we'll just have to beat them Saturday night and get us all back even." The Paladins outshot the Gaels 42-21, including a 19-6 margin in the third period. Not surprisingly, Queen's netminder Ryan Gibb was named his team's MVP. "I'm proud of my team," said Queen's coach Brett Gibson. "This game's all about emotion and guys playing on adrenaline. It was a war out there and we had more than a few players playing hurt." McDonald, voted RMC's MVP, and Josh Fudge tallied for the host club, which led 2-1 after 40 minutes. Jon Asselstine and Jamie Brock replied for the visitors, with Brock's power-play effort knotting the score three minutes in to the third period. |
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