They came, they fought, and they dazzled the crowd of 267 fans at Scotty Bowman Arena. In a thrilling first final of a best-of-three series, the Piranhas ÉTS narrowly edged out Concordia University Hockey Club 4-3
The opening period witnessed a quick two-goal burst from the Piranhas, giving them a commanding advantage that shocked Concordia’s defense. By the second intermission, Piranhas ÉTS led 3-0, primarily fueled by the offensive prowess of #26 Pierre-Olivier Gagnon and #98 Jonathan Harpin. The referees, Andrew Modesto and William Davidson, allowed the game to flow but kept a firm grip on the rising intensity.
Concordia University Hockey Club mounted a dramatic comeback in the third period, with #18 Derek St-Jean notching a stunning hat trick to level the score at 3-3 mere seconds before regulation ended. This three-goal streak showcased Concordia's resilience and completely silenced the Piranhas’ bench momentarily.
Overtime arrived with palpable tension, and the Piranhas struck swiftly after barely one and a half minutes, thanks to a heroic effort from #26 Gagnon, who hammered home his second goal of the night for the walk-off victory. The crowd erupted, as both squads left everything on the ice in what was undoubtedly high-level university hockey at its finest.
Special teams also played a pivotal role: Concordia converted 2 power-play goals out of 4 opportunities, while the Piranhas managed 1 in 6. Despite the penalty-filled second period, the officials maintained control, ensuring the game’s pace remained breathtaking from start to finish.
The battle between goaltenders was equally captivating: #31 Luca Andrei Sandu for Concordia faced a flurry of 29 shots, while #29 Étienne Gélinas of the Piranhas fended off 32. Both showed flashes of brilliance, but it was Gélinas’s .906 save percentage that ultimately tipped the scales.
Among the standout players, #26 Gagnon (2 goals), #98 Harpin (1 goal, 1 assist), and #18 St-Jean (3 goals) emerged as top performers, proving crucial to their teams’ fortunes. Their individual talents epitomized the exceptional level of university hockey we witnessed tonight.
With the Piranhas ÉTS now leading the series 1-0, the excitement builds for the next clash. Will Concordia ride the momentum of their fiery comeback, or can the Piranhas maintain their winning edge and clinch the title? One thing is certain: fans can expect more heart-stopping action ahead.
Score by Periods (CON - ÉTS):
1st: 0-2 | 2nd: 0-1 | 3rd: 3-0 | OT: 0-1 | Final: 3-4
Most Notable Players:
#26 Pierre-Olivier Gagnon (ÉTS) – 2 goals (including OT winner)
#98 Jonathan Harpin (ÉTS) – 1 goal, 1 assist
#18 Derek St-Jean (CON) – Hat trick (3 goals)