Katherine DeClerq | Fulcrum Staff
WITH ONLY TWO games left in the women’s hockey team’s regular season, it’s time to kick it up a notch. The team was unable to do so last weekend and suffered two losses to the McGill University Martlets (17-1-1) and the University of Montreal Carabins (12-5-1).
As much as the Gee-Gees (6-12) tried, they could not prevent the onslaught they suffered at the hands of the McGill Martlets on Feb. 10. Although rookie goaltender Stéphanie Mercier made 33 saves, the Martlets still finished the game 6-0.
“We could have played better,” said head coach Yanick Evola of the game to Sports Services. “This was not our best, but we need to be proud of the effort tonight.”
The game against the Montreal Carabins on Feb. 12 began on a stronger note. Within the first three minutes, the Gees were up by one with first-year defender Valérie Watson making a slapshot into the high corner of the net from the blue line. Second-year forward Asha Kauffeldt nudged the puck past the goalie after a scramble to bring the first period to a close with a 2-0 lead.
“I think we battled hard in the first, and we had an amazing period,” said Mercier. “I think we came back in the second and we thought we had already won it and we kind of gave up.”
The Gees scrubbed the second period after allowing Montreal five power plays and opportunities to score.
Three goals got past Mercier, but the Gees swung back with a shot of their own off a power play after third-year forward Fannie Desforges made a cross-ice pass to first-year forward Carling Chown, who slapped it in.
Tied in the third period, the Gees fought for the win. Mercier continued to make some diving glove saves, but was unable to stop the Carabins from putting one in over her shoulder—bringing the final score to 4-3 for Montreal.
“In the third, we came back and we lost the period 1-0,” said Mercier. “We cleaned up after the second. I think for the last two games we just need to stay focused and prepare better. “
Evola noted his disappointment with the team, explaining they had the game in the bag after the first period but lost it.
“[It’s] a little disappointing. I thought we played well and deserved the game,” he said. “We could have played better— discipline cost us the game again tonight. We gave them five power plays in the second and we can’t do that against a quality team like them.”
The Gee-Gees are currently in fourth place of the Réseau du Sport étudiant du Quebec. They are set to hit the road to play the Concordia University Stingers on Feb. 17, returning to finish the season against crosstown rivals the Carleton University Ravens at the Minto Sports Complex on Feb. 18.
