A COIN FLIP: THE SHOOTOUT DECIDES A THRILLING GAME BETWEEN THE GEE-GEES AND UNB REDS
On the back of a heartbreaking defeat to the Guelph Gryphons in the McCaw Cup, the Gee-Gees travelled to the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Waterloo to start their journey for a U Sports national championship. Despite falling short 2-1 to Guelph in the OUA finals, the Gee-Gees still punched their ticket to the U Sports championship, assuming the number five seed for the tournament. For the first game of their tournament, the Gee-Gees would face another formidable foe, being matched up against the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) champions and number four seed, the UNB Reds, for the fourth quarterfinal of the tournament. Following an intense couple of days in Waterloo, including the number eight seed Montreal Carabins knocking off the number one seed UBC Thunderbirds in a thrilling shootout victory, the Gee-Gees were determined to rebound from their OUA final defeat and advance to the national Semi-Finals.
Despite a strong effort, the AUS champions UNB Reds would outlast the Gee-Gees in the 5th round of a shootout, defeating U of O 2-1.
First Period
With the puck dropping at 7:07 p.m., the Gee Gees came out firing, pushing into the UNB zone and drawing a penalty 30 seconds in, sending U of O to the power play. On this power play, the Gee-Gees didn’t take long to strike when #14 Alex Ferguson would continue her hot streak from the OUA playoffs, snipping the top right corner post and in, putting the Gee-Gees up early. The Gee-Gees kept this momentum for the next few minutes, continuing to create top chances and pushing UNB to the brink.
As pressure reached a boiling point, Ottawa’s #81 Naomi Morin would surprise the UNB goalie, taking a shot from a tight angle, looking like it snuck past the goal line for the Gee-Gees on the ice. However, despite the UNB goalie seeming to pull the puck out of her net, the Referees made a controversial call disallowing the goal. Even though the Gee-Gees were denied a goal on this play, they continued to apply the pressure, creating top chances, including #7 Gillian Warren deking through a couple of UNB defenders yet missing high.
After this miss, UNB really exposed their style of play, making a stretch pass against the run of play to create a breakaway, yet #24 Reece Mepham for the Gee-Gees would break it up with a tremendous poke check. Following the back and forth, Gees Gees #9 Angelique Proulx drew another penalty, sending Ottawa back to their 1 for 1 power play.
Unfortunately, on this power play, UNB was much more set, limiting Ottawa’s shooting lanes and then, in a turn of events, after an ambitious pass from Ottawa’s #54 Madison Desmarais in her own end, #24 Lauren Carter for UNB would pick the pass off and place a perfect honey shot, beating #35 Clara Genier over the pad and under the blocker, equalizing the game.
As the first period wrapped up, the Reds continued to apply the pressure, yet Ottawa’s goalie Genier would continue to stand strong, including making a great spralling pad save to keep the game tied. Overall, as the first came to an end, despite some top-tier chances for Ottawa, UNB was shifting the tide, yet the game was still very much in the air.
After the First Period: 1-1
Second Period
When the puck was dropped for the second period, the Gee-Gees put together a very aggressive first shift, accumulating O-zone time and creating sustained pressure. However, as the period progressed, it was very much a stalemate and neutral zone game with neither team creating any great chances. This was until the Gee-Gees would take their first penalty of the game, sending UNB to the power play, yet with strong play from Genier, the Gee-Gees were able to kill off the power play.
The favour would soon be returned to the Gee-Gees going back to the power play shortly after their penalty kill on a tripping call. During this power play, despite some good chances, including Ottawa’s #18 Alexa Pongo hitting the post, the UNB defence and goalie would hold firm, killing off the penalty. For the rest of the period, the game would revert back to an even contest with not many chances from either side, but both goalies staying sharp.
After the Second Period: 1-1
Third Period
After the intermission, both teams came out flying once again. To begin the period, UNB would increase the pressure, forcing Genier to make a good blocker save, yet soon the tide would turn back in Ottawa’s favour with #20 Beatrice Bilodeau getting a quality chance in the slot after a turnover from UNB’s Goalie #30 Cassie McCallum, yet she would miss just high.
Furthermore, coming in the early moments of the period, Ottawa’s top goal scorer #7 Gillian Warren would get a semi-breakaway but miss just high again.
These two chances really highlighted the Gee-Gees great play to begin the period, creating chances and really putting the Reds on the ropes. Ottawa would continue to craft more great chances with Desmarais blocking a pass from McCallum in the crease and putting the puck almost on the goalline before McCallum parried it off.
Ottawa’s goal scorer, Ferguson, would also get a great chance, making a beautiful deke on the UNB defender, putting the puck through her legs, yet just putting the breakaway chance wide. As these chances and their fourth power play of the night saw no result, UNB finally began pushing back, turning the game back into a stalemate and forcing Genier to remain sharp.
As the game approached the last five minutes, UNB really turned the pressure on, maintaining consistent O-zone time and forcing Genier to make multiple top-notch saves. Fortunately, the Gee-Gees were able to survive these last five minutes and begin to create chances, pushing the game to overtime with much optimism.
After the Third Period: 1-1
Overtime
With tensions at an all-time high and a spot in the semi-finals on the line, both teams came out firing to extend their season in 4 on 4 overtime. Similar to the game, this overtime was extremely even with good chances on both sides. #21 Maelle Laplante for Ottawa would get a great chance early in the overtime, coming down from the wing and forcing McCallum to make a good save. On the other end, UNB would also force Genier to be sharp, where she made an elite deflection save among many others. Unfortunately, early on in the overtime, Ferguson would take a tripping penalty, sending UNB to a 4 on 3 Powerplay, yet the Gee-Gees penalty kill would once again hold strong, ending the advantage. Overall, despite good chances from both sides, the overtime was quite even, sending the game to a 3-round shootout.
Shootout
With the most pressure-packed moment in hockey needing to solve such an incredible game, nerves were high. The Gee-Gees would shoot first with Ferguson, starting the shootout off by making a great move and beating the goalie, yet hitting the post, sending the advantage to UNB. UNB’s first shooter was #9 Olivia Eustace, and despite a silky backhand forehand move, Genier read it like a book and made a great save, tying the shootout up. The next two shooters for both teams would be stopped by the opposition goalies, and it wasn’t until shot number 4 for the Gee Gees that the deadlock would be broken.
On shot number four for the Gee-Gees, Ferguson would get her second chance and make no mistake, ripping it glove side and beating McCallum with sheer surprise and power. With the ball in the Gee-Gees’ court, all they needed was one save to move on to the semi-finals, yet with ice in her veins, #21 Katelyn Scott for UNB would make a bold backhand move and roof one into the top of the net, extending the shootout to its fifth round. The Gee-Gees would send out Warren again for her second attempt of the shootout, and despite making a great move and beating the goalie, McCallum would dive across the net, making an outstanding save, giving match point back to the Reds. With the opportunity to win it, UNB captain #5 Payton Hargreaves would make no mistake faking a shot and beating Genier to the blocker side, sealing it for the UNB Reds.
Final Score: 2-1 UNB
Beyond the Boxscore
This was truly a remarkable quarterfinal; both teams were very even, and had great chances throughout. In addition, both goalies were standout stars, winning players of the game for their respective teams. It is truly unfortunate that the game had to end in a shootout and in such a heartbreaking manner; however, the Gee-Gees have nothing to be ashamed of. They played an all-around very strong game and took the AUS champions to the very brink.
Now, the UNB Reds will go on to face the Montreal Carabins in the semi-final, and despite the Gee-Gees’ U Sports championship hopes coming to an end, they will continue to play in the consolation bracket, going up against the top-seeded UBC, who were upset by the Carabins in quarterfinal #3. Overall, it was a great game, and the Gee Gees showed incredible fight, making U of O proud.
