MONTREAL -- Rookie Stephanie Desjardins of Grand Falls, N.B., scored twice as the McGill Martlets topped York 5-1 in women's hockey exhibition play at McConnell Arena on Sunday.

It marked McGill's 12th consecutive victory over York -- dating back to a 4-1 loss on Oct. 17, 1999 -- and improved their lifetime record to 13-1-1 against the Lions.

"It was a good game for us today," said Martlets bench boss Peter Smith, whose troops were surprised 5-1 two days earlier in their home-opener against Nipissing. "What makes you happy as a coach at this time of the year is when you see development going on. From the game on Friday to the game today there were lots of things that we talked about doing and I give the players a lot of credit. They adjusted, and that's what you want to see. They're a smart group and they work hard so it's a lot of fun."

Desjardins, a 5-foot-4 physical education freshman out of Stanstead College, scored the eventual game-winner at 9:34 of the second period, assisted by Marie-Philip Lavoie of Pohenegamook, Que., then rounded out the scoring unassisted at 4:44 of the third.

"She's good," Smith emphasized. "A real strong, strong performer. She's still learning about the game but she brings a lot of grit to the team. A real hard worker, so I'm real happy for her."

McGill outshot their visitors 45-17, including a dominant 19-5 margin in the second period.

The Lions got on the board first with a goal by Courtney Gardiner at 5:45 of the opening stanza, set up by Kayla Hosegood, but it proved to be their only tally of the afternoon.

Jade Downie-Landry, a 5-foot-8 sophomore forward from St. Jean sur Richelieu, Que., tied things up just 72 seconds into the middle frame, helped by Lauren Bowman of Calgary, Alta. After Desjardins netted her first career marker, junior Olivia Atkinson of Oakville, Ont., added a power-play goal at 10:35, assisted by Downie-Landry and Shana Walker of North York, Ont. Sophomore Olivia Ramos of New Westminster, B.C., made it 4-0 at 12:13, with assists to rookie Christiana Colizza of Wendover, Ont., and Cora Constantinou of Scarborough, Ont.

Desjardin's marker was the only goal of the third period.

Tricia Deguire, a 5-foot-8 sophomore from Sherbrooke, Que., started in net for the Martlets and saved 10 of 11 shots through 40 minutes to earn the win. Rookie Amanda Hadwen of Ottawa played the third period, turning away all six pucks faced.

Eva Hall made 40 stops for the Lions in a losing cause.

McGill was 1-for-6 on the power play and killed off all three penalties taken.

"We haven't worked on our specialty teams much," noted Smith. "When I watched the power play we moved the puck around well and we've done some good things on the kill. Obviously at this time of the year, what you're more interested in with the group is their work ethic and the speed that they play at, and I'm clearly very pleased with that.

"As a matter of fact, in the two games we've played, I thought we were pretty good other than that 10-minute lapse that we had in the second period in the game against Nipissing. It was a pretty good weekend for us. We're still not playing our best hockey but it's coming, so I'm happy with that."

The Martlets (1-1) continue pre-season play at the Queen's Invitational from Sept. 22-23, where they'll face off against Western on Friday and the host Gaels on Saturday.
York (1-3) hosts Toronto on Sept. 22.

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