Carabins 4, Stingers 0: Stingers lose in their home opener
The Carabins storm into Ed Meagher Arena and take the win
The Concordia University Stingers women’s hockey home opener didn’t go their way. The reigning national champions, l’Université de Montréal (UdeM) Carabins, came into Ed Meagher Arena and scored four goals, to defeat the Stingers in convincing fashion.
The game started evenly with both teams trading chances. The Stingers looked just a step behind UdeM, as Concordia had to contend with 10 new players. The Carabins have only seen a couple of changes to their lineup.
With the Stingers slightly on the back foot, the Carabins got a power play, which Carabins forward Wikona Laloche capitalized on. Her goal was the lone tally of the first period.
The Carabins dominated the second period, with multiple lengthy offensive shifts that pinned the Stingers down in their own zone. With under six minutes remaining in the second period, Carabins forward Janelle Mentor jumped on a loose puck in front and buried it to put the Carabins up two.
In the dying embers of the period, Stingers forward Courtney Rice was denied on a breakaway as the momentum began to shift. However, this shift was short-lived. With only 3.3 seconds remaining, Laloche scored her second goal, making it 3-0 ahead of the intermission.
The third period was interrupted when the fire alarm at Ed Meagher went off, suspending play for about 30 minutes. After the delay, the players returned to the ice and at the end of the period, Laloche scored into the empty net for her hat trick.
“It’s not the result we wanted, obviously,” Stingers captain Camillie Richard said. “It's still the beginning of the year—only our second game—it's not going to dictate the rest of the year; I’m pretty sure we’ll come back stronger.”
Despite Concordia’s dominance in recent years, this season they’ll have to face the challenge of a much-changed roster, with multiple rookies trying to earn a foothold on the team.
“[It’s] difficult having 10 brand new players, especially on the younger side, like right out of high school,” Stingers goaltender Belle Mende said. “I think the first-year players are making an impact in their own way and they’ve been awesome."
She believes the team is beginning to grow as a unit.
"I think every day we’re getting closer and closer, and the camaraderie is building,” Mende said.
For head coach Julie Chu, this first home game doesn't reflect the rest of the season, as the Stingers have plenty of talent and room to improve.
“We don’t like to lose, but with [the Stingers] it's going to be a process this year,” she said. “As far as that group, they’re working, they’re learning, they’re growing, and I think as long as they stay [...] in a good mindset [...] we’re going to continue to progress the way we need to.”
The Stingers will look to bounce back in their next game Sunday, Nov. 1, at Ed Meagher Arena, at 2 p.m.
