CIS Medal hopes dashed by McGill

Mar 9, 2008 - The #4 ranked StFX X-Women went up against the #1 ranked McGill Martlets, in a round robin battle of regular season undefeated teams and Martlet goaltender Charline Labonte proved unstoppable as McGill won the game by a 3-0 score.

In the first period of play, the X-Women came out strong, testing all-Canadian goaltender Charline Labonte early on with a couple good scoring chances within the first three minutes of play. The period was fast paced as both teams had several good scoring chances. The Martlets opened up the scoring in the game with a power play goal at 12:42 on a goal by Cathy Chartrand. StFX netminder Katie Harvieux made an initial save then the goal was scored on a deflected shot after McGill scrambled up the rebound. Shauna Denis and Ann-Sophie Bettez were awarded assists on the play. The X-Women held the Martlets scoreless on another ensuing X penalty and were unable to score on two of their power play chances in the first frame. McGill held the slight margin in shots with 8-6.

The X-Women came out strong again early on in the second period. Both teams had scoring chances as they played 4 on 4 hockey early on after an exchange of penalties to first Julie Casavecchia of McGill and then to Laura Grant of StFX. Christina Davis had a good scoring chance on Labonte but shot wide, then was followed by a good chance by Amanda Church. Church was taken down into the boards by McGill captain Shauna Denis who went to the box to serve two minutes. The X-Women had two good chances on the ensuing power play but couldn't put the puck past the Canadian national team goalie. McGill added their second goal of the game at the 9:53 minute mark as Katie Elzinga was able to get the puck up and over the shoulder of Katie Harvieux. Chartrand assisted on the goal. McGill continued to pressure StFX in the second frame but the blue and white were able to hold them off the scoresheet for the remainder of the period. Amanda Church had a good chance to score on a stolen puck in the McGill zone and Anna Barrett had a shot blocker side on Labonte, but the Martlets held the lead in the game and the lead in shots, with a 16-10 edge.

The X-Women started the third period on the power play and had a couple chances to score. The Martlets were able to shut down StFX scoring threat Brayden Ferguson who led the CIS in scoring this year throughout the game. The X-Women had a couple of power play opportunities in the final frame and the line of Carolyn Campbell, Amanda Church and Catie Gavin played well and created some shots on net and scoring chances. Kelly Boudreau also had a couple good chances including a steal in the slot and a point blank shot on Labonte who denied her of a goal. The X-Women kept the pressure on Labonte throughout the period and had several consecutive shots with a minute and a half left and appeared to score a goal but the puck stayed out of the McGill net. The Martlets finished off with an empty net goal with 33 seconds left in the game off the stick of Bettez. Cathy Chartrand with a goal and an assist was named Player of the Game for the Marlets while X-Women forward Amanda Church earned her second Player of the Game award in as many days.