Martlets’ Dominance Damages Stingers’ Ego in 5-1 Win

McGill’s Top line Combines on all Goals in First Meeting With Crosstown Rival

SportsDavid S. Landsman — Published November 18, 2013 | Updated November 19, 2013 at 3:31am

Friday night at McConnell Arena the Martlets showed exactly why they’re ranked no. 1 in the country in women’s hockey in Canadian Interuniversity Sport as they disposed of the Stingers 5-1.

It’s the second consecutive loss for the Stingers.

“We fell asleep for about 10, 12 minutes,” said Stingers head coach Les Lawton. Throughout the first and third we were really able to play with them, but we know you can’t take penalties and make mistakes against McGill.”

For McGill, it didn’t hurt that their top line had combined for all five goals and five assists, with veteran Katia Clement-Hydra leading with two goals and three assists and linemate Gabrielle Davidson scoring a hat trick in the second period, adding an assist.

After playing a scoreless first despite McGill badly outshooting Concordia 16-5, the Martlets came out with ferocity in the middle frame—scoring 30 seconds into the period when Clement-Hydra got her first on the evening.

Lawton elected to go with goaltender Carolanne Lavoie-Pilon for a sixth-straight start in this young season. She finished the afternoon with 30 saves.

“It was a really intense game,” said Lavoie-Pilon. “McGill are really fast and they scored on their chances from the slot. That gave them the win.”

One of the only positives for the Stingers was that, after conceding an early goal, they were able to hold the Martlets off and equalize the game with a powerplay goal courtesy of veteran forward Alyssa Sherrard.

The goal was Sherrard’s second of the season and fifth point in six games.

Jaymee Shell also got an assist on the goal scored on the advantage, only the Stingers’ second powerplay goal of the season—the first since a game against second-ranked Université de Montréal Carabins on Oct. 20.

Davidson then put McGill clear again, brushing the Stingers away for good just over a minute later with her 10th goal of the season.

By the end of the evening Davidson’s three goals gave her 12 for the season, leading the CIS. It was her fifth multi-goal game out of the seven that McGill has played so far this season.

“They’re a great team,” said veteran forward Jaymee Shell.

“We have more of a steeper learning curve, but we’ll get there.”