Queen's Gaels score in overtime to win Carr-Harris Cup

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Alex Robert of the Queen’s Gaels scored on a goalmouth scramble in overtime to give the Gaels a 2-1 win over the Royal Military College Paladins to take the 35th edition of the Carr-Harris Cup at the Leon’s Centre on Thursday night in front of 3,800 fans, their allegiances almost split down the middle.

With the win, the Gaels improved their record in the game to 22 wins, 11 losses and two ties.

Also scoring for Queen’s was Dalton Duart, with his third of the season almost seven minutes into the second period, while RMC’s Noah Rowe responded with 1:09 left in the second period.

Duart scored after cutting across the RMC zone and getting a wrist shot off from the high slot that beat goaltender Joey May.

Rowe’s tying goal came from the top of the crease when he deflected a pass from Josh Spratt past Gaels goalie Luke Richardson.

The first period was scoreless with Queen’s outshooting RMC 20-8.

The Gaels also dominated in shots in the second period, 20-7 over the Paladins. Queen’s ended up with 49 shots to RMC’s 24.

The last game of the challenge was held in February 2020, with Queen’s winning 4-2 in front of 4,121 fans.

Thursday night’s game was the third and final head-to-head meeting between the teams in Ontario University Athletics play, with Queen’s winning both previous games, 4-1 on Nov. 2 and 2-0 on Nov. 9.

Coming into the game, the Gaels, 11-11-2-0, were in a must-win position as a loss would have eliminated them from the OUA playoffs.

With the win, the Gaels are now two points behind the Ottawa Gee-Gees, who hold the last playoff spot in the OUA East Division.

The Paladins are 7-14-1-1, eighth in the division, and out of playoff contention.

The game honoured two founders of the Challenge Cup: hockey historian Bill Fitsell and former Gaels player and coach Stu Crawford.

Fitsell died late in 2020 while Crawford died last November at 100. He was the oldest living former Gaels hockey player.

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