VANCOUVER, BC -- A pair of power-play goals by Megan Carver of Calgary, proved to be the difference as the Mount Royal University Cougars tripled McGill 3-1 in the final round of the UBC East-West Showcase women's hockey tournament, held at Father David Bauer Arena, Sunday. The Martlets went winless at the three-game tourney, including respective 3-1 and 3-2 losses to UBC and Calgary.

It was the first-ever rendezvous between these teams and the Cougars, who play in the Canada West conference, held a 28-24 edge in shots going 2-for-4 with the extra attacker.

McGill, which was missing their two all-star forwards -- Melodie Daoust and Gabrielle Davidson -- went 0-for-5 on the power-play against the Cougars and finished the weekend with an anemic 1-for-14 power-play. Daoust has scored 97 goals in 108 career contests overall since joining the Martlets in 2011. Davidson has produced 125 markers in 161 games.

"We weren't quite as sharp today and looked a bit tired," said McGill head coach Peter Smith, whose troops played three games in three days after a five-hour cross-country flight. "We've worked hard on developing good habits but kind of fell back on some old habits. That typically happens when you're tired. I thought that we were more skilled than Mount Royal but were outworked by them."

Tianna Ko, also from Calgary, tallied the other marker for the winning side, giving them a 1-0 lead at 2:12 of the first period. The teams were knotted at 1-1 after the opening period but Carver's second-period outburst -- at 7:02 and 18:09 -- gave her side a 3-1 advantage after two. The third period was scoreless.

Forward Jade Downie-Landry, a psychology freshman from St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., scored the lone McGill goal, which tied the game 1-1 at the 18:09 mark of the first frame.

Goaltender Emma Pincott collected the win for the Cougars, kicking out 23 of 24 shots. Martlets freshman Tricia Deguire made her fourth consecutive start and despite playing well, is still looking for her first win at the CIS level. She saved 25 of 28 shots fired her way.F

"We're disapointed that we didn't get better results but it was a very productive weekend in terms of team-building, both on and off the ice," added Smith. "I like what I see but it's going to be a bit of a building process with a young team."

The Martlets, who dropped to 0-4 in preseason play, will continue their extended exhibition schedule next week when they cross the border to play a couple of NCAA programs. McGill travels to Canton, N.Y. on Sept. 24 to confront the Saint Lawrence University Saints, then heads to Burlington, Vt., for a skate against the Vermont Catamounts, Sept. 25.

(LINK TO COMPLETE BOXSCORE)

2016 East vs. West Showcase Tournament schedule:

Friday, September 16, 2016
Calgary 3, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology 0 - (box score)
Western 1, Mt. Royal 0 - (box score)
UBC 3, McGill 1 - (box score)

Saturday, September 17, 2016
Mt. Royal 3, NAIT 2 (OTS) (box score)
Calgary 3, McGill 2 - (box score)
UBC 4, Western 1 - (box score)

Sunday, September 18, 2016
Calgary 2, Western 2 - (box score)
UBC 6, NAIT 0 - (box score)
Mt. Royal 3, McGill 1- (box score)


SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
McGill Sports Info Office
(514) 398-7012