Hill a tower of power as Martlets clip Carabins in playoff tussle
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MONTREAL - Caroline Hill, a veteran forward from Dorval, Que., scored twice and added a couple of helpers as McGill skated to a convincing 4-1 victory over the Montreal Carabins to win the opener of the Quebec university women's hockey league championship series at McConnell Arena, Thursday.
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It marked the 104th consecutive victory for the Martlets against QUHL opponents, including which a 14-0 lifetime against the Carabins.
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"I definitely don't think we'll ever score a lot of goals against this team as generally they have a great forcheck, with good defence and goaltending," said Hill, a fifth-year education senior, who opened the scoring on the power-play at 16:39 of the first period and made it 3-0 at 5:12 of the final stanza."So honestly, when we're lucky enough to get a few pucks by (their goalie), then we have to focus on defence and protect our net as well."
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Hill also set up goals by Ann-Sophie Bettez of Sept-Iles, Que., midway through the second and an empty-netter by team captain Cathy Chartrand of Lac Nominingue, Que.
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"Carly was real sharp out there," said McGill bench boss Peter Smith, who was named earlier in the week as the conference coach of the year."She has a knack for making everyone around her better. Her speed creates openings for the other players on the ice and she has such good puck sense, that she always seems to find the open person."
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The Martlets had a 33-24 advantage in shots on net, including an 11-3 edge in the first period. McGill owned the puck for much of the first two periods and there was one exceptionally long shift where the Martlets went through four line changes while keeping the Carabins pinned in their own zone for about five minutes.
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"Historically, we haven't been a quick-starting team but I thought we started exceptionally well tonight," said Smith. "We had a number of good scoring chances in the first period and the front half of the second but the puck just didn't go in. It is such a game of momentum and we really had it go our way tonight, especially over the first two periods."
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Josianne Legault, a freshman from Granby, Que., spoiled netminder Charline Labonté's bid for a shutout on a power-play marker with just over eight minutes remaining in the game. Freshman Rachel Ouellette of Pte. Claire, Que., took the loss for Montreal.
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McGill can wrap up the best-of-three final series and win the league's Ed Enos trophy at CEPSUM Arena Friday in a 7 p.m. start. Game 3, if necessary, is back at McConnell Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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SCORING SUMMARY
Montreal 1 at McGill 4
(Thursday, March 3, 2011 - McConnell Arena)
1st Period-
1, McGill, Caroline
Hill 1 (Ann-Sophie Bettez, Cathy Chartrand), 16:39
(PP).
Penalties-
Hill Mcg (hooking), 0:19;
Martin-Guay Mtl (tripping), 10:25;
Gagne Mtl (interference), 12:45;
Brault Mtl (tripping), 16:22.
2nd Period-
2, McGill, Ann-Sophie
Bettez 1 (Katia Clement-Heydra, Caroline Hill), 13:11
(PP).
Penalties-
Legault Mtl (tripping), 12:06.
3rd Period-
3, McGill, Caroline Hill 2 (Katia Clement-Heydra),
5:12.
4, Montreal, Josianne Legault 1 (Sophie Brault,
Kim Deschenes), 11:52 (PP).
5, McGill, Cathy Chartrand 1 (Caroline Hill),
19:22 (EN).
Penalties-
Cecere Mcg (bodychecking), 0:08;
Oles Mcg (tripping), 10:06;
Ferrari Mcg (interference), 11:05;
Peroff Mcg (hooking), 14:53.
GOALS BY PERIOD:
Montreal 0-0-1 --
1
McGill 1-1-2 -- 4
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Shots on Goal-
Montreal 3-10-11 --
24.
McGill 11-14-8 -- 33.
Power Play Opportunities-
Montreal 1 /
5;
McGill 2 / 4.
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Penalties (No/Mins):
Montreal 4 /
8;
McGill 5 / 10.
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Goalies-
Montreal,
Rachel Ouellette (L, 2-1, 32 shots-29 saves;
58:59);
Empty-net -- (1 goal, 1:01).
McGill,
Charline Labonte (W, 3-0, 24 shots-23 saves;
60:00).
Attendance: 212
Start: 7:01 PM
End: 9:06 PM
Length: 2:05
Referee-Genevieve Bordeleau.
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THREE GAME STARS:
1. MCG - 6 Caroline Hill
2. MCG - 8 Cathy Chartrand
3. MCG - 4 Leslie Oles
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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
McGill Athletics & Recreation
514-398-7012
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
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