The Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team won their sixth straight Quebec Student Sports Federation championship by skillfully defeating the McGill Martlets by a score of 4-2 at the Ed Meagher Arena Sunday afternoon.
Although the number four ranked Lady Stingers have already secured a berth in the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union Women’s Hockey Championship prior to Sunday’s game, winning the Quebec championship was a big confidence booster.
“The team is feeling good about themselves,” said Concordia Stingers head coach Les Lawton after the game. “We’ve got a good flow going out there, the lines are playing well together. We’re not going to change anything up for the nationals and specials teams looks pretty good.”
The Stingers started the scoring early while supportive parents and fans were still looking for seats in the packed stands.
With just 35 seconds into the game, Concordia winger Caroline Ouellette skated out all alone behind McGill’s corner boards to complete a wrap-around as sprawling McGill goalie Kim St-Pierre helplessly watched the black puck enter into the net behind her.
This first quick goal seemed to stun the Martlets as the Stingers began controlling the tempo during most of the first half of the period with superior stickhandling, passing and transition in the neutral zone.
It was evident from the first drop of the puck that McGill did not have the talent to sustain Concordia’s speed, skill and aggressiveness throughout the game.
Concordia also showed fantastic defensive posture as the Stingers defense began to push McGill’s players along the boards not giving them any room to maneuver.
However, a late penalty in the first period saw McGill tying the game up on the power play at 16:54 when Martlets forward Sarah Lomas received a nifty pass to beat Stingers goalie Lisa Herritt.
Following McGill’s power play goal, Concordia ended the first period regaining the lead with a power play goal of their own. While McGill forward Linda Spratt was in the penalty box for tripping, the one-man advantage proved fruitful as Stingers forward Kendra MacDonald scored from a smooth point pass by defenseman Suzanne Kaye at 18:13.
Both teams started out cautiously in the second period with Concordia and McGill skating with the puck and with very few shots.
The only goal scored in the period was by McGill forward Sophie Acheson during the power play at the 6:27 mark, tying the game at two a piece. Dana Rittmaster and Allison Ticmanis assisted on the goal.
With the QSSF championship on the line, both teams headed out into the third period like gangbusters.
Concordia once again set the tempo with their speed and puck control. McGill on the other hand attempted to penetrate the Stingers blue line with neutral zone speed and three way passing.
The suspense reached its end when a holding penalty by McGill defenceman Melissa-Ann Berthiaume gave way to the game winning power play goal scored by Stingers veteran forward Marie-Claude Allard. The goal was scored at 10:40 of the third period and was assisted by defenseman Suzanne Kaye and by winger Leanne Martell.
The final goal of the game was once again scored by Stingers forward Allard who put the proverbial nail in the coffin at the 16:54 mark.
“We needed this win. We’re going to be in a better position out there (national championships),” said Stingers forward Allard. “We’re going to be in a better pool and just to win the playoffs, it’s always nice. Our confidence is high right know.”
The Stingers (6-1-1) had great puck control throughout the game against the Martlets (3-4-1) who were outshot 43-21. Most of the shots fired at Stingers goalie Lisa Herritt were soft and from long range. However Herritt maintained her focus stopping 19 of 21 shots.
“They didn’t have many shots but most of the shots I had were key saves to make such as breakaways and screens,” said goalie Lisa Herritt.
This win is a giant stepping stone for the fourth ranked Lady Stingers as they attempt to launch a national championship for Concordia University.
“It’s a huge step for our hockey team. We’ve gone up and down throughout the year. We showed everybody that we’re still a team to be reckoned with,” said Herritt.
The 2001 CIAU Women’s Hockey Championship will be held in Calgary from February 22nd – 25th. All eyes will be on our hometown girls when the puck drops later this week.
Although the number four ranked Lady Stingers have already secured a berth in the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union Women’s Hockey Championship prior to Sunday’s game, winning the Quebec championship was a big confidence booster.
“The team is feeling good about themselves,” said Concordia Stingers head coach Les Lawton after the game. “We’ve got a good flow going out there, the lines are playing well together. We’re not going to change anything up for the nationals and specials teams looks pretty good.”
The Stingers started the scoring early while supportive parents and fans were still looking for seats in the packed stands.
With just 35 seconds into the game, Concordia winger Caroline Ouellette skated out all alone behind McGill’s corner boards to complete a wrap-around as sprawling McGill goalie Kim St-Pierre helplessly watched the black puck enter into the net behind her.
This first quick goal seemed to stun the Martlets as the Stingers began controlling the tempo during most of the first half of the period with superior stickhandling, passing and transition in the neutral zone.
It was evident from the first drop of the puck that McGill did not have the talent to sustain Concordia’s speed, skill and aggressiveness throughout the game.
Concordia also showed fantastic defensive posture as the Stingers defense began to push McGill’s players along the boards not giving them any room to maneuver.
However, a late penalty in the first period saw McGill tying the game up on the power play at 16:54 when Martlets forward Sarah Lomas received a nifty pass to beat Stingers goalie Lisa Herritt.
Following McGill’s power play goal, Concordia ended the first period regaining the lead with a power play goal of their own. While McGill forward Linda Spratt was in the penalty box for tripping, the one-man advantage proved fruitful as Stingers forward Kendra MacDonald scored from a smooth point pass by defenseman Suzanne Kaye at 18:13.
Both teams started out cautiously in the second period with Concordia and McGill skating with the puck and with very few shots.
The only goal scored in the period was by McGill forward Sophie Acheson during the power play at the 6:27 mark, tying the game at two a piece. Dana Rittmaster and Allison Ticmanis assisted on the goal.
With the QSSF championship on the line, both teams headed out into the third period like gangbusters.
Concordia once again set the tempo with their speed and puck control. McGill on the other hand attempted to penetrate the Stingers blue line with neutral zone speed and three way passing.
The suspense reached its end when a holding penalty by McGill defenceman Melissa-Ann Berthiaume gave way to the game winning power play goal scored by Stingers veteran forward Marie-Claude Allard. The goal was scored at 10:40 of the third period and was assisted by defenseman Suzanne Kaye and by winger Leanne Martell.
The final goal of the game was once again scored by Stingers forward Allard who put the proverbial nail in the coffin at the 16:54 mark.
“We needed this win. We’re going to be in a better position out there (national championships),” said Stingers forward Allard. “We’re going to be in a better pool and just to win the playoffs, it’s always nice. Our confidence is high right know.”
The Stingers (6-1-1) had great puck control throughout the game against the Martlets (3-4-1) who were outshot 43-21. Most of the shots fired at Stingers goalie Lisa Herritt were soft and from long range. However Herritt maintained her focus stopping 19 of 21 shots.
“They didn’t have many shots but most of the shots I had were key saves to make such as breakaways and screens,” said goalie Lisa Herritt.
This win is a giant stepping stone for the fourth ranked Lady Stingers as they attempt to launch a national championship for Concordia University.
“It’s a huge step for our hockey team. We’ve gone up and down throughout the year. We showed everybody that we’re still a team to be reckoned with,” said Herritt.
The 2001 CIAU Women’s Hockey Championship will be held in Calgary from February 22nd – 25th. All eyes will be on our hometown girls when the puck drops later this week.
