Firing Blanks In The Shootout

Despite Spectacular Performance by Katherine Purchase, Stingers Fall In Shootout

SportsDavid S. Landsman — Published February 9, 2015 | Updated February 9, 2015 at 5:34pm

Despite the loss, Concordia Stingers alternate captain Alyssa Sherrard couldn’t help but remain positive.

“We’ve come such a long way since my first year, keep up with them every game and now this season every game [pretty much] has been a one-goal game,” said Sherrard. “We’ve come so far, there’s no way I can be disappointed.”

Stingers netminder Katherine Purchase, the league leader in goals-against-average and save percentage, made her first start against McGill this season. The goalie made 46 saves in the loss.

“I came in there today with the mindset it was any other team,” said Purchase following the game. “I just prepared myself mentally and physically to play against them. I always play like we’re down a goal.”

Head coach Les Lawton was extremely impressed with his rookie goalie.

“That was probably the best rookie performance I’ve seen of a goaltender at the CIS level,” said Lawton. “I can’t remember seeing anyone play that well and that consistently. She’s really making a name for herself. Having her for the next five years is great.”

The game was also the inaugural ‘Shoot For The Cure’ initiative created by Stingers captain Danielle Scarlett and general manager Caitlin Booth; every team member was around to raise funds for breast cancer awareness.

The night before, during the Corey Cup, members not in uniform raised money by selling T-shirts, cupcakes and ribbons, as well as organizing a silent auction.

“It was definitely a massive success,” said Scarlett. “My whole team was extremely supportive and involved, and this wouldn’t have been such a humongous success if it weren’t for every girl that was in that dressing room and the time and effort everybody put in.”

Throughout the weekend, their plan, which was thought of back in October, was to raise roughly $2,000.

Time dwindled down late in the game when, with just 1:43 left on the clock, Sherrard chased a puck behind McGill’s net and wrapped the puck around, banking it in off a Martlet defender’s skate, sending their bench and the crowd into a major frenzy.

McGill coach Peter Smith eventually called a timeout and pulled his goaltender. Soon enough, Martlets alternate captain Leslie Oles was able to find a loose puck and score as well, tying the game up with only 16.4 seconds left on the clock.

“I have mixed emotions. Kind of sad we had to go to overtime and weren’t able to hold the lead,” said Sherrard, who played her final regular season game against McGill Saturday.

After 65 minutes, the game was still at a stalemate, but the shots were a staggering 47-18 in favor of the visiting Martlets.

In the shootout, it was only Lavoie for McGill who could find the back of the net, with all the Stingers’ shooters stymied by McGill goaltender Brittany Smrke.

Following the game, the players were proud of their effort and so was Lawton.

“So close but yet so far, but the kids did great, and our goaltender played outstanding,” said Lawton. “Heading into playoffs, we know that we have the confidence in the dressing room.”

Next week, they travel to Université de Montréal on Friday night before concluding their weekend Sunday at home versus the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Video by Evgenia Choros