MONTREAL – Rookie Katya Blong traveled a long way to collect her first career goal but it paid off handsomely. The 19-year-old kinesiology freshman from Auckland, N.Z., scored what proved to be the game winning tally as McGill stunned the Montreal Carabins 6-5 in women's university hockey at Arena CEPSUM, Friday.
 
The result halted a four-game losing streak and the offensive outburst was McGill's highest in regular season play since a 7-2 win over Carleton on Nov. 7, 2021.

It marked the fourth win for McGill in the past five meetings with their cross-town rivals this season as the fourth-place Martlets improved to 4-13-2, while third-place Montreal dropped to 8-9-3. McGill improved its lifetime head-to-head series record to 64-41-0 overall.
 
The Martlets, who had goals from six different players, led 3-0 after the opening period, upped the cushion to 5-0 before U de M snapped the shutout bid. Despite the six goals, McGill was 0-for-6 on the power-play and gave up a shorthanded tally. The Carabins went 1-for-6 with the extra attacker.
 
Blong's goal at 10:33 of the second period, restored a commanding 6-1 lead that they almost frittered away. The 5-foot-8 forward now has four points in 24 games overall.
 
The Carabins pushed hard with four consecutive markers, making it a one-goal game by the midway mark of the final stanza. They pulled the goalie for an extra attacker but their hopes of a comeback were snuffed out with 36 seconds remaining when they were penalized for having too many players on the ice.
 
Other McGill markers were scored by forwards Taylor Garcia (1-2-3) of Ottawa, Mika Chang of Toronto, Jordyn Watson of Kingston, Ont., India Benoit of Sherbrooke, Que., and rookie blueliner Cassidy Blanchard of Fonthill, Ont., who has now tallied in each of her last three contests.
 
Replying for the Carabins was forwards Lea Salem, Marie Terriault and Catherine Proulx, along with rearguards Jade Picard and Kaleann Laforge.
 
Picard was also involved in a collision that knocked starting McGill goaltender Sarah Carmichael out of the game with the Martlets leading 4-0 and an 18-save shutout in progress. The senior from St. Lazare, Que., was forced to leave with a lower-body injury at 5:53 of the second period after a collision with Picard, who had been steered into the crease by McGill defender Mia Giles.
 
Jade Rivard-Coulombe was inserted into the net and was credited with the win (based on who was in net when the winning goal was scored). She kicked out 15 of 20 shots.
 
Maude Desroches started in goal for the Carabins and conceded five goals on 13 shots before being yanked at 6:16 of the middle stanza. Elisa Jean took over and saved six of seven shots but was saddled with the loss.
 
McGill will play at division-leading Concordia (18-1-0) on Sunday (Feb. 16), before closing out the regular season on Feb. 21 at home against Bishop's.
 
The Carabins (8-9-3) trail second-place Bishop's (9-8-3) by two points in the RSEQ standings with one game left to play, at Concordia on Feb. 21.
 
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RSEQ STATS & STANDINGS
 
SOURCE
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-983-7012 (Tel.)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca