McGill University’s women’s hockey team faces a challenging playoff run after a 4-0 defeat to the Bishop’s Gaiters in their regular season finale Friday at John and Jane Molson Arena, despite a 34-save performance by McGill goaltender Jade Rivard-Coulombe.
The Gaiters, the defending national champions, controlled the game, outshooting the Martlets 38-24. Noemi Fontaine scored midway through the first period to give Bishop’s the lead. Gabrielle Santerre and Annika Lafrenière added power-play goals in the second and third periods, respectively, while Jamie Aspropotamitis completed the scoring late in the game.
Bishop’s capitalized on two of three power-play opportunities, while McGill failed to convert on both of its chances. With the win, Bishop’s improves to 25-9 all-time against McGill since the two teams first met in 2001.
The loss concludes the regular season for McGill, which finished fourth in the RSEQ standings with a record of 2-16-6. Despite the regular season record, the Martlets still have a path to the U SPORTS national championship, as both finalists from the RSEQ playoffs will qualify for the national tournament. McGill is therefore two wins away from securing a national berth.
McGill will begin its best-of-three semifinal series against the top-ranked Concordia Stingers on Thursday, February 26th, at 7:30 p.m. At Ed Meagher Arena. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. At McConnell Arena, with a potential deciding Game 3 on Sunday at 2 p.m. At the Loyola campus. A separate semifinal matchup will see Bishop’s face the Montreal Carabins.
According to McGill Athletics, the league’s other semifinal will pit third-seeded Bishop’s (11-8-5) against second-place Montreal (13-9-2).
