Special Teams Help Stingers Trounce Ravens

Offensive Outburst Gets Women’s Hockey Team Back in Win Column

SportsDavid S. Landsman — Published January 26, 2015 | Updated January 27, 2015 at 1:04am

Last weekend saw them slip up early to McGill before a valiant comeback was cut short and they lost 5-3. One positive from that game was that all three goals were scored on the powerplay. This past Friday’s tilt saw another three goals scored on the powerplay, raising their total to six of their last nine.

“We’ve been going over a lot of powerplays and videos at practice,” said forward Devon Thompson who netted two of her team’s three on the advantage. “We knew what we had to do and were lucky to find the back of the net.”

Captain Danielle Scarlett opened the scoring for the Stingers with a powerplay blast from the point that eluded Raven goaltender Katelyn Steele just under eight minutes into the first period.

With just under four minutes to go, some good passing up the ice led to forward Valerie Wade scoring a nifty goal past Steele. The eventual game winner was Wade’s first goal in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s regular season, which made the moment even sweeter for the forward from nearby Greenfield Park.

“It felt awesome, celebrating with my teammates and a big win by us too,” said Wade. “We’re really finding our groove as a line, I’m happy to help contribute.”

In the opening minute of the second, Concordia struck again on the advantage when rookie Thompson tipped a point shot from defender Marie-Joelle Allard right between the pipes.

“We’re all pushing each other as a team, and that helps motivate us individually,” said Thompson. “Us all working hard really is nice when it pays off like this.”

Carleton was able to get one past Concordia goaltender Katherine Purchase just under five minutes in when a shot just fumbled out of her glove. She finished the game with 21 saves, keeping her top-5 save percentage in tact.

“Our forecheck was the best it’s been all year and we were firing on all cylinders,” said Purchase. “We’re very confident as a unit and we all believe in each other and trust each other very much.”

After Thompson scored another powerplay goal at the midway point of the period in near identical fashion as her first, Ravens’ coach had had enough with his starting goaltender, opting for backup Hailey Perreault, thinking it would lead to a spark.

By the end of 40 minutes Concordia had an insurmountable 4-1 lead and led in shots 18-13.

In the third period, another Stinger got her first ever CIS goal. Rookie Véronique Boudreau scored from a point shot past a screened Perreault.

“It’s really cool and exciting to see it finally happen,” said Boudreau. “We’re really coming together, and I was happy to score, but as a team, the win too.”

The Ravens looked exhausted by the start of the third, but Concordia was still pumped with energy. Midway through the final period, Ann-Julie Deschênes capped off the scoring with a nice backhand.

The Stingers posted their largest margin of victory since their 8-2 win against the very same Ravens on Nov. 19, 2005.