Shorthanded Squad Falls to UdeM

Carabins’ Barker Pots Four as Stingers Beaten Early and Often

Photos by Amanda Laprade

A depleted lineup and lack of form were the main cause of Concordia’s women’s hockey team’s 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Université de Montréal Carabins last Sunday.

“We didn’t give our 100 per cent today and that killed us,” said Stingers centre Alyssa Sherrard, who had the lone goal for her team.

It took less than two minutes for the wheels to start coming off for the Stingers when Veronica Lang took a questionable holding penalty. Carabins forward Cassandra Dupuis took advantage of the opportunity, scoring her ninth of the season on the ensuing power play.

At this point, the Stingers began to completely collapse. A few minutes later, UdeM was at it again when forward Maude Gélinas connected on a pass from Kim Deschênes and defender Sophie Brault to go up 2-0.

Eventually, frustration got the best of the Stingers, causing defender Mary Jane Roper to take an unnecessary holding penalty.

Carabins forward Ariane Barker didn’t squander her squad’s chance, rushing the net to get one past Stingers goaltender Carolanne Lavoie Pilon.

This full-on pressure pleased Carabins assistant coach Brittany Privée. “Every time Concordia had possession of the puck we were able to be in their face and take away their space,” she said.

In the second period, the Stingers showed a little bit of life when Sherrard scored off a backhand. But whatever hope they had of a comeback was buried when Barker netted her second of the game. She completed the hat-trick in the third before scoring a fourth.

Apart from being mentally unprepared, Sherrard blamed the loss on being short-staffed. “A few of our good players are out to injury and pneumonia, so that changed all of our lines up,” she said.

She wasn’t excusing herself for the loss, however. “We’re so much better than that,” Sherrard said. “We just need to get back up, and we’re going to get them next time.”

The Stingers will try to put this game behind them when they visit the Carleton Ravens before coming home to face the McGill Martlets. The games are this Friday and Sunday 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. respectively.