Lady Bees Start Ascent

The Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team know that at this point in the season every game counts. This past weekend, the team had two difficult match-ups against No. 10 ranked Ottawa Gee Gees and No. 1 nationally ranked McGill Martlets and they pulled off two of a possible four points, edging the Gee Gees 2-1.
“Our emotion and passion has come back,” said coach Les Lawton. “The girls know about their commitment and they’re fulfilling it.”
In a penalty-riddled first period with each side getting four penalties, the score remained tied at zero. Each side also got their chances with the two-player advantage, but neither team could solve either goaltender.
While shorthanded, third-year forward Kelly Feehan took the puck behind the net and wrapped in front, stuffing her shot past Ottawa goaltender Jessika Audet to give the Stingers the one-goal lead. It was their second straight game with a shorthanded goal.
“Our penalty killing was great,” said Lawton. “It’s improving, they’re [the penalty killers] stepping up big.”
Almost six minutes later with Gee Gees defender Taryn Brown in the sin bin for hooking, the Stingers power play, which has been stellar of late, went to work.
After cycling the puck for a few seconds, sophomore blue liner Meghan George wound and took a shot that was tipped perfectly right in front by veteran Devon Rich and went past the goal line.
However, immediately after the goal the Stingers began to celebrate, but the goal was waved off because of a high stick. After a few minutes of deliberation and arguments between the officials and Lawton, the call stood.
“It has got to be the very first time I see a goal waved off from having the puck at the ankle,” said Rich. “It just wasn’t right.”
In the first minute of the third period, Ottawa tied it up on a power play marker by Ashley Burrill, which sent waves of frustration to the Concordia bench.
Not even a minute and a half later, Luck redeemed herself by potting a rebound in front of Jessika Audet to give the Stingers the lead, which stuck throughout the game.
“It’s a really satisfying feeling. We really wanted and needed the win,” said Luck. “It was well deserved.”
Stingers goaltender Audrey Doyon-Lessard, who finished with 34 saves in the win, said, “Everybody has been working really hard, I felt confident. We played a full 60 minutes.”
Not even 24 hours later, the women’s hockey team was back on the ice against their cross-town rival McGill.
The Martlets took the game with stride, shutting out the Stingers 10-0.
“We know we’re not the only team that McGill is doing this to,” said Les Lawton. “They’re doing it to everybody.”
McGill’s top line of Ann-Sophie Bettez, Vanessa Davidson and Marie-Andrée Leclerc-Auger combined for a total of eight goals and 10 assists.
Bettez and Davidson each amassed seven points throughout the contest. Bettez had five goals, and Davidson had three.
“Their top line is a tough one to defend against, they’re highly skilled,” said Les Lawton. “They don’t show any mercy, it’s the way they’re coached.”
The other two goals were scored by defenders Cathy Chartrand and Catherine Ward.
Despite the score, Stingers goaltender Stephanie Peck played well.
“I feel great about how I played, I made the saves I needed to make,” said Peck. “There’s only so much a goalie can do. I’m proud of myself for sticking in there for the whole game, and I’m proud of my teammates who also kept pushing till the end, they know who they are.”
Starting only her fourth game of the season, and third against McGill, she made some huge saves stopping McGill’s high-octane offence with 31 on the afternoon.
“Peck made some very good saves,” said Lawton. “The score doesn’t even reflect her performance.”
The numbers were tough for the Stingers to take, with McGill scoring three in the first two periods, and adding four in the final frame. They were also out shot 41-15.
“I don’t care about stats, you shouldn’t play for them,” said Peck. “At the end of the day, it’s the love of the game that matters.”

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