Box Score
MONTREAL – A shorthanded goal by Marion Allemoz proved to be the difference as the No.3-ranked Montreal Carabins rallied from a two-goal deficit to upset top-ranked McGill 3-2 in women's hockey playoff action before 511 at CEPSUM Arena, Friday.

The result snapped McGill's win streak at 29 games against CIS teams and evened the RSEQ best-of-three final at 1-1. A rubber match for the Ed Enos Cup and a berth at the CIS championship in Toronto will be played on Sunday at McConnell Arena. Puck drop is 3 p.m.

Rookie Gabrielle Davidson of Pte. Claire, Que., and senior Chelsey Saunders of Ottawa staked McGill to an early 2-0 lead at 1:07 and 3:26, respectively. The start was eerily similar to Game 1 of the series when the Martlets tallied twice in the early going -- at 0:58 and 3:34 -- en route to a 6-1 rout.

But this time, the Carabins stayed the course and mounted a spirited comeback sparked by Josianne Legault's power-play marker at 18:57, cutting McGill's lead in half.

"We got those two quick goals at the start and I thought 'We're really off to the races' but we missed a couple of glorious chances to get the third one... the puck didn't go in," said McGill head coach Peter Smith, whose troops hadn't lost in the conference final since a 2-1 setback to Ottawa on March 3, 2006, a span of 15 straight wins in the league championship series. "We kind of lacked a little bit of urgency after we we're up 2-0 and that came back to bite us."

Trailing 2-1, the host team then struck twice in the second period, tying the score at 2:05 on a goal by defenceman Elizabeth Mantha, which set the stage for Allemoz's shorthanded winner at 12:28.

"That was a comedy of bad luck," explained Smith. "Two of our players ran into each other at the offensive blueline and we did a pretty good job on their 2-on-1 break but they let go a shot that was an absolute rocket, right under the crossbar. Our goalie was way out between the faceoff dots (to cut down the angle) and it still went in. It was a great shot and that's the way it goes. They got the bounces today and I'm confident that we'll get the bounces on Sunday."

McGill held a 26-24 edge in shots, including a 10-5 margin in the final frame. Goaltender Elodie Rousseau-Sirois made 24 saves for the win, while McGill's Taylor Salisbury of Surrey, B.C., registered 21 saves in a losing cause.

"You've got to give Montreal credit, they played well, blocked a ton of shots," said Smith. "We had so many attempted shots but a lot of them didn't get through. Overall, they played with a little bit more urgency than we did. It's too bad but it's kind of understandable as their backs were up against the wall. Now both teams on Sunday will be up against the wall."

The Carabins went 1-for-4 on the power-play, while McGill was scoreless in two manpower advantages.

"Obviously our girls were disappointed in the outcome," Smith continued. "Particularly after a third period where we played real well, did a great job, pulled the goalie and had a couple of glorious chances to score. So when the game was over, the girls were (down) but that can only last for a brief period of time and then we're moving on. But our girls are positive and we'll be set to go for Sunday."

McGill now owns a 27-2 lifetime record against the Carabins, including an 8-1 mark in post-season play. They return to the friendly confines of McConnell Arena, where have won 19 consecutive playoff games since 2005.


SEE COMPLETE BOXSCORE ONLINE AT:
http://www.leaguestat.com/qssf/femmes/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=449



SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman,
McGill Sports info Office
(514) 398-7012
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca