On Nov. 5, the McGill women’s hockey team (3–0) defeated the visiting Ottawa Gee-Gees (1–2) at McConnell Arena by a convincing score of 4-1. The game marked the third straight win for the Martlets in the RSEQ league. The Martlets dominated the game with 35 shots on goal. Christiana Colizza, a first-year graduate student studying kinesiology and physical education, was instrumental in the Martlets’ domination, scoring two goals in the first and third periods of the game.
The Martlets opened the scoring only 45 seconds after the initial puck drop when Colizza redirected a shot from fifth-year team captain, Jade Downie-Landry.
“I think it was a good game, a team win that’s for sure,” Landry said in an interview with //The McGill Tribune//. “Everyone is putting a lot of effort in [and] I think […] it’s paying off. We focused on starting hard when the puck drops [and] that was our focus this game.”
Ottawa goaltender Aurelie Dubuc made several key saves in the first period to keep the Gee-Gees in the game. However, the game drifted away from Ottawa in the second period after goals from Martlet forwards Makenzie McCallum and Quynn Campbell.
Fourth-year forward Marika Labrecque considered the team’s hard work a key factor in their win on Friday.
“We all did our work [on the] little details,” said Labrecque. “We started very strong. Our coach said in the first five minutes we had to work hard. After the first five minutes we understood [what we had to do]. We learn and work hard every week, and build on each game.”
The final period was evenly contested, with Ottawa managing a consolation goal to spoil Martlet goaltender Tricia Deguire’s shutout bid. Deguire ranks second in wins among McGill’s all-time goaltending leaders with a career record of 82-49-1. The Martlets responded with 10 minutes left in the third period, securing the win when Colizza scored her second goal.
Martlets Head Coach Alyssa Cecere was satisfied with the team’s performance, especially when it came to puck possession.
“We are taking it one shift at a time and trying to keep the puck within our team and keeping possession as much as possible,” Cecere said in a post-game interview with the //Tribune//. “Obviously, with teams that pressure hard, it is not always the case. But it is something we are trying to focus on, keeping that puck and recovering when it is a loose puck.”
Cecere also emphasized her excitement to be back in the arena after over a year of no competition due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“It is great to be back,” Cecere enthused. “The girls are energized [and] they are happy to be back. We are grateful we have this opportunity and taking it one day at a time […] as we know it can be gone quickly.”
McGill currently leads the 2021-22 RSEQ league with six points in three games and 11 goals scored, with only two conceded.
Stat Corner
Martlet goaltender Tricia Deguire had an impressive game, playing in all the three periods and saving 24 of the 25 shots from the Gee-Gees.
Moment of the Game
Just under a minute into the first period, Christiana Colizza, assisted by Jade-Downie Landry, scored a stunner from close up to the net, taking the Martlets to a 1-0 lead over the Gee-Gees.
Quotable
“The progress we have already made is tremendous. [The team] has lots of youngsters and we have a lot to learn from our veteran players. Just seeing it all unroll is beautiful to see.” – Team captain Jade Downie-Landry on the Martlet’s 2021-22 hockey season so far.
