Women’s Hockey: Gee-Gees Too Good

Stingers Lose to Gee-Gees in Shootout After Holding 3-0 Lead

SportsAlexander Perez — Published January 11, 2016 | Updated January 11, 2016 at 8:27pm

“It’s one of those [games] where you kind of shake your head a little bit afterwards because we put in a really great effort, but maybe we needed to play 10 more solid minutes,” said Julie Chu, interim head coach of Concordia’s women’s hockey team.

Prior to the game, the Stingers were in fourth place with three wins in 11 games in the Réseau du Sport Étudiant du Québec standings. Concordia was looking to bounce back with a win following a 5-2 loss at the hands of the McGill Martlets on
Friday night.

“I think we started pretty strong, but we couldn’t keep our lead, which is something we’re going to need to work on. It’s frustrating, but we had it,” said Stingers forward Samantha Rhainds. “Honestly, we had them all game. It’s about applying our systems and focusing on what we know.”

Ottawa mounted pressure on the Stingers in the opening minutes of the first period, but didn’t score when given the chance. Instead, Concordia scored two goals in the first, thanks to forwards Devon Thompson and Tracy-Ann Lavigne. The tides would continue to turn in favour of Concordia, as their fast-paced styled troubled Ottawa, who struggled to adapt.

Forward Ann-Julie Deschenes added a third goal for the Concordia Stingers within the opening minutes of the second period, giving her team a 3-0 lead. But the game would change from there as Gee-Gees’ forward Roxanne Rioux added two in the third period to bring the score to 3-2.

Concordia would add one more goal in the game, early in the third period, before Gee-Gees’ Carol-Ann Upshall narrowed the score line for her team. With under three minutes left in regulation, Concordia defender Caroll-Ann Gagné was penalized for a tripping call, allowing the Gee-Gees to score on the power play and tying the game at four goals apiece.

Following a goalless overtime period, the Gee-Gees would prevail over the Maroon and Gold in the shootout.

Despite allowing two goals in the third period, which lead to the overtime, Chu was content with her team’s play.

“We played great in the third period to be honest,” said Chu. “Maybe a power play here and there changes the game in that situation.”

The Gee-Gees are now in second place in the standings, one point behind the conference leading Université de Montreal Carabins. Meanwhile, Concordia has a difficult task on their hands, as they will face the Carabins on Jan. 15 at the Ed Meagher Arena.