MONTREAL – A shorthanded goal by
Audrey-Ann Rodrigue at 15:20 of the first period proved to be the game-winner as No. 2-ranked Concordia defeated No. 5 McGill 4-1 to capture the Ed Enos Cup as RSEQ conference champions, Friday, at the Ed Meagher Arena.
It was the fourth consecutive post-season victory for the Stingers, who blanked McGill 3-0 in the best-of-three series opener on Thursday. The Martlets had been the defending league champions from the 2019-20 season.
Both teams will advance to the U SPORTS Final Eight national championship tournament in Charlottetown, March 24-27. Concordia, as conference champions, will get a Top 4 seeding, likely in the top two, which comes with a more favourable schedule. McGill will be seeded among the bottom four teams, likely fifth or sixth. The schedule is expected to be announced on Sunday evening.
The Stingers, who had a 36-35 edge in shots, led 2-0 after the first period and 3-1 after two, then added an empty-netter in the last minute of play.
Goaltender
Alice Philbert made 34 saves for the win, while McGill's
Tricia Deguire had 32 saves and registered the loss.
Concordia came out with an aggressive tone and took seven consecutive penalties before McGill was whistled for the next three infractions. But the Martlets were only able to take advantage of one PP situation and that lack of success effectively proved too costly.
Rosalie Begin-Cyr opened the scoring with her fourth of the playoffs – and third against McGill – at 13:50 of the first period. But less than 30 seconds later, she was penalized for her second infraction of the period. McGill's power-play pressed but a turnover at the Stingers blue line resulted in a 2-on-1 for Concordia with
Emmy Fecteau, whose crisp pass was converted by Rodrigue for a 2-0 lead.
McGill team captain
Jade Downie-Landry, the league MVP and national scoring leader, slammed home a rebound on the power-play at 7:26 of the middle frame to narrow the deficit in half.
But a pair of late second period penalties proved too costly to the Martlets as Concordia's
Stephanie Lalancette restored a two-goal cushion at 19:53.
In the final period, Lalancette sprung
Audrey Belzile loose for the empty net marker at 19:27.
SCORING SUMMARY
RSEQ STATS & STANDINGS
McGILL TEAM STATS
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
