Box Score
HANOVER, N.H. -- Melodie Daoust of Valleyfield, Que., notched the equalizer as McGill battled Dartmouth to a 2-2 sawoff at Thompson Arena on Sunday. The teams contested a five-minute overtime frame but it solved nothing and they had to settle for a draw.
 
"I liked our effort," said McGill head coach Peter Smith. "It was our third game in three days but when I watched the team play, I couldn't tell it. We played fast and hard. Dartmouth's goaltending was good and we just couldn't seem to get the puck past her. For a young group like ours to play three games in three days is good for our development and I thought we did well."

Daoust, a 5-foot-6 centre and team captain, scored on the power play at 11:32 of the second period, assisted by Marie-Philip Lavoie of Pohenegamook, Que. Despite missing four games, Daoust now leads the team in scoring with a 5-6-11 record in eight preseason contests.

"Lavoie had the puck off to the goaltender's left, just above the dot," explained Smith of the game-deciding play. "Mélo came down the back-side from the blue line, then Lavoie made a very nice pass across and Mélo just tucked it in. It was a really good play."

Olivia Atkinson, a psychology and economics sophomore from Oakville, Ont., opened the scoring with the man-advantage at 14:49 of the first period, set-up  by rookie Jade Downie-Landry of St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

The Big Green rebounded early in the second when Christina Rombaut netted a power-play marker of her own just 39 seconds into the period, assisted by Kennedy Ottenbreit and Emma Korbs. Rombaut then set up an even-strength tally from Ottenbreit at 2:13 to give Dartmouth a 2-1 lead.

The Martlets doubled their hosts on the shot clock with a 36-18 advantage.

"I think in terms of our preparation, we've done real well," said Smith. "When I look at the way the team plays in practice now compared to (when training camp started at) the end of August, there's an enormous difference in terms of how fast we play and how structured we are."

McGill rookie goaltender Tricia Deguire of Sherbrooke, Que., made her 12th consecutive starte and turned away 16 pucks as her record improved to 5-6-1.

The Big Green rotated three netminders in the match. Robyn Chemago made nine saves on 10 shots in the first, Christie Honor stopped eight of nine in the second and Shannon Ropp received credit for the tie with 17 saves in the final 25 minutes.

The Martlets won 43 of 72 faceoffs, were 2-for-8 on the power play and killed one of two penalties.

McGill, which finished their preseason with a 5-6-1 record, opens the RSEQ season with a much-anticipated confrontation against the defending national champion Montreal Carabins at Arena CEPSUM on Oct. 21. The Carabins are 1-0 after begining league play with a 5-1 victory at Concordia, Sunday.

Dartmouth begins their NCAA campaign the same evening against Northeastern.

FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT:

Kristen Whelan or Earl Zukerman
McGill Sports Info Office
(514) 398-7012