This weekend, the Gaels men’s hockey team threw themselves into the fire and emerged victorious.
Queen’s opened their 2025–26 campaign with two home games that showed both adversity and perseverance. The Gaels fell 3-2 to the Carleton Ravens on Oct. 3. before rebounding less than 24 hours later with a 6-5 victory over the defending national-champion Ottawa Gee Gees on Oct. 4.
Friday’s opener was physical from puck drop. First-year Aidan Castle, ArtSci ’29, cleaned up a rebound for his first goal as a Gael ten minutes in. Carleton equalized quickly thanks to a sharp shot from Nick McCarry, before Ravens freshman Robbie Rutledge scored a highlight-reel first goal late in the frame to take a 2-1 lead into intermission. The end of the first got chippy after Sam Marburg, ArtSci ’27, was caught up high racing for a loose puck on the forecheck, and the ensuing scrum sent a player from both teams to the penalty box.
The Ravens stretched the gap early in the second period before Queen’s clawed back. On the penalty kill, Liam Tanner, Kin ’28, and Cameron Tolnai, Comm ’27, connected on a two-on-one rush to make it 3-2. The Gaels generated sustained pressure the rest of the way thanks in part to standouts Tanner, Castle, and Kolton Cousins, Comm ’27, but couldn’t convert the tying goal.
Despite several strong stops from goaltender Ian Michaelone, ArtSci ’29, in his university debut, Carleton’s structure held.
While praising the performance of the freshman Michaelone,
Head Coach Brett Gibson told The Journal in an interview after the game that the team’s compete level needed to improve. “It’s hard to win in this league, and we didn’t play to our standard,” he said. The next day, it was clear that Gibson’s concerns were addressed.
On Saturday, Queen’s exploded offensively against Ottawa. Marburg, tied the game on the power play midway through the first period, followed quickly by goals from Cousins and star Nolan Hutcheson, ArtSci ’26, to give the Gaels a 3-1 cushion after 20 minutes.
Tolnai extended the lead early in the second, slipping a shot through the five-hole of Ottawa’s Francesco Lapenna to make it 4-1. Rookie Sebbie Johnson, ArtSci ’29, later buried his first as a Gael to restore a three-goal cushion, and Hutcheson added another power-play tally to make it 6-3 through two periods. The Gee-Gees mounted a late push with two third-period goals, but goaltender Aidan Spooner held firm as Queen’s secured its first win of the season.
The game, once again, was violent, featuring an ejection for Ottawa’s Tommy Bouchard due to a dangerous hit on Ian Lemieux, ArtSci ’27. Still, the Gaels kept their cool.
“It’s hard to win in this league. They’re the national champs,” Gibson said. “For us to beat them says a lot about our group. It wasn’t perfect, but we got two points, and that’s what matters.”
Gibson praised his veterans for leading the turnaround. “Hutch is a pro,” he said, referring to OUA All-Star Hutcheson. “He had a tough night Friday and a great night tonight. Hard work equals results.” He also credited Cousins for sparking the top line after a frank conversation. “He challenged me a little bit, so I put him on the first line, and he got that big line going.”
Discipline and special teams were decisive. “Every time they gave us an opportunity, we capitalized,” Gibson said. “If we stay disciplined, our power play can be a serious weapon.”
Beyond the goals, Gibson highlighted the shot-blocking and leadership that closed out the win. “The goals are nice, but it’s the sacrifices that I see,” he said, pointing to Lucas Peric, ArtSci ’26, for a key block in the final minutes.
With long-term injuries to Gaels stars such as Derek Hamilton, ArtSci ’27, and Ethan Larmand, ArtSci ’28, Queen’s was forced to dress six first-year players. Still, they kept composed. “It’s trial by fire,” Gibson said. “Offensively, I’m not worried about them. It’s the defensive side we’ll keep teaching.”
The Gaels will take the trip to Quebec to face the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes on Oct. 10, before facing the McGill Redbirds the next day.
Tags
aiden castle, brett gibson, Carleton Ravens, ian michaelone, kolton cousins, Men's hockey, ottawa geegees
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