MONTREAL -- Rebecca Martindale of Kingston, Ont., tallied twice and added a helper as the top-ranked McGill Martlets skated to a 5-2 playoff win over the visiting Montreal Carabins to win their 83rd consecutive game and take a 1-0 lead in the Quebec women's hockey conference best-of-three final series.

It was the sixth straight win in as many meetings over their cross-town rivals and the game was never in doubt as McGill jumped into a 3-0 lead and never looked back.

"The Carabins started out strong but we contained their energy right away and took control of the game," said interim McGILL head coach Amey Doyle, who was operating under the watchful eye of Peter Smith, who had just returned from the Vancouver Olympics, where he helped the Canadian women's hockey team win gold as an assistant coach.

"Our power-play went-2-for-4 and has been looking very efficient the last few games. It was nice to get some scoring from our other lines," she added. "I also liked the energy brought by the (Darragh) Hamilton, (Victoria) Wells, (Chelsey) Saunders line."

Rounding out the scoring for McGill was Saunders a freshman from Ottawa, Jordanna Peroff of Keswick, Ont., and defenceman Cathy Chartrand of Lac Nominingue, Que.

Replying for the Carabins was Vicky Denis, a rearguard from Gaspe, Que., and Kim Deschenes of Saint Quentin, N.B.

Goaltender Taylor Salisbury, a rookie from Kitchener, Ont., who made a few big saves early on, improved to 3-0 in post-season play. Catherine Herron, her Carabins counterpart and a former Martlet player, made 44 saves in a losing cause.

McGill, which had a lopsided 49-20 edge 3in shots, can win their fifth straight Dr. Ed Enos trophy as league champions on Friday at CEPSUM Arena.

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

Communications Officer

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012

SCORING SUMMARY

Montreal 2 at McGill 5

(QSSF Final, Game 1; Mar. 3, 2010 @ McConnell Arena @ McGill)


1st Period-
1, McGill, Cathy Chartrand 3 (Hill, Bettez), 12:18 (pp).
2, McGill, Jordanna Peroff 1 (Lind-Kenny, Martindale), 12:48.
3, McGill, Rebecca Martindale 2 (Peroff, Soberano), 15:49 (pp).
4, Montreal, Vicky Denis 1 (K. Deschenes, Fortin), 19:43.

Penalties-
Peroff Mcg (hooking), 2:53;
Suc Mtl (cross checking), 10:42;
Leclerc-Auger Mtl (boarding), 15:21.


2nd Period-
5, McGill, Chelsey Saunders 1 (Hamilton, Wells), 12:18.

Penalties-
Weckman Mcg (elbowing), 0:18;
Suc Mtl (roughing), 14:21;
Lind-Kenny Mcg (bodychecking, 19:13.

3rd Period-
6, McGill, Rebecca Martindale 3 (Peroff, Lind-Kenny), 4:42.
7, Montreal, Kim Deschenes 1 (Fortin, Martin-Guay), 16:44.

Penalties-
Leclerc-Auger Mtl (kneeing), 12:15.

GOALS BY PERIOD:
Montreal 1-0-1 -- 2
McGill 3-1-1 -- 5

Shots on Goal:
Montreal 6-7-7 -- 20.
McGill 21-17-11 -- 49.

Power Play Opportunities:
Montreal 0 of 3;
McGill 2 of 4.

Penalties (No/Mins):
Montreal 4/8;
McGill 3/6.

Goalies-
Montreal, Catherine Herron (L, 2-2-0; 49 shots-44 saves; 60:00).
McGill, Taylor Salisbury (W, 3-0-0, 20 shots-18 saves; 60:00).

Attendance: 212
Start: 7:01 PM
End: 8:59 PM
Length: 1:58

Referee-Melanie Bordeleau.