WOLFVILLE, NS – Simon Lafrens scored in double overtime in Sunday’s Championship final to give the UQTR Patriots their first men’s hockey national title in nearly two decades.
Lafarge’s goal in the second extra-time game at 5:42 gave Troyes-Riviেসres a 5-4 victory over Alberta Golden Bears at the University du Quebec.
It was the Patriots’ first national title since 2003.
“I’ve been playing for the Les Patriots for three years with these guys,” Lafrens said. “I shed tears and the emotion was strong.”
Goalkeeper Alexis Gravel made 66 saves, including 22 in two extra times.
“His performance was exceptional. He gave us a chance to win, “said his goaltender LaFrance.” Every game he plays, he gives us a very good chance of winning. “
The winning goal was Lafrans’ second goal of the game, when he was forced to end the overtime 4-4 tie with a third-period strike in the power play.
Jordan Martel, Felix Lausanne and Loic Level all scored once and added an assist for the Patriots, who had a 10-3-2 record in the regular season.
Noah Philip led the Golden Bears with two goals and one assist. Matt Fontaine had one goal and two helpers and Luke Smith also scored.
Goalkeeper Taj Varman stopped 40 out of 35 in the defeat.
Alberta (16-3-1 in the regular season) led 3-1 in the final on Sunday when Philip defeated Gravel 45 seconds into the second round. Golden Bears led 4-2 in third place.
The Leveille deficit turned into a half-third at 8:46 before Lafrance’s parity at 12:47.
St. Francis Xavier’s X-Men won bronze with a 3-2 overtime win over Ryerson Rams early Sunday. Jack Trott forged the OT winner in 43 seconds in the extra frame.