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A power-play goal with less than seven minutes remaining in the third period lifted the McGill Redmen to a 2-1 victory over the Queen’s Golden Gaels in the opening game of their Ontario University Athletics men’s hockey playoff series Wednesday night in Montreal.

The best-of-three division semifinal resumes Friday night in Kingston.

With the teams tied 1-1, two Gaels and one McGill player were sent off with minor penalties at 13:23 of the third period. It took just 21 seconds for Patrick Delisle-Houde to turn that into what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Queen’s persevered, however, ultimately outshooting the home team 10-8 in the final period, but the Gaels, who have now scored just seven goals in four playoff games, could not get the equalizer.

It was the 15th time in 29 regular-season and playoff contests that the Redmen have held an opponent to one goal or less.

After a scoreless first period, Cedric McNicholl opened scoring for McGill in the game’s 28th minute. It was the third goal of the playoffs for McNicholl, who came into the game with eight post-season points, best in the OUA.

Seven minutes later Andrew Wiebe tied the game for Queen’s on a power play, tipping a shot from the blue line by Spencer Abraham past Redmen goaltender Jacob Gervais-Chouinard.

It was the only goal the Gaels could muster from seven man-advantage opportunities, four of which came on consecutive McGill penalties in the second period. In one 14-minute stretch, Queen’s played with a man advantage for six and a half minutes.

McGill defenceman Samuel Labrecque continued to bedevil the Gaels. He had assists on both goals Wednesday night and, combined with the four goals and assist he had in two regular-season games, he has been part of seven of McGill’s 10 goals against Queen's this year.

The Gaels weathered the first period unscathed though McGill outshot the visitors 19-6. In all, Queen’s goaltender Kevin Bailie made 34 saves as the Redmen outshot the Gaels 36-28.

For McGill it was the 11th win in the last 12 games, and the victory extended McGill’s mastery of the Gaels to 28 games. The last time Queen’s defeated the Redmen was more than 11 years ago, on Feb. 6, 2004, a 5-2 win in Montreal.

Friday’s game, the 175th renewal of hockey’s third-oldest rivalry, will be played at the Memorial Centre, starting at 7:30 p.m.