Adam Scotti

Adam Scotti

The McGill Martlets found themselves in unfamiliar territory after the Ottawa Gee-Gees scored a goal 81 seconds into Friday night’s game at McConnell Arena. Despite the initial setback, things settled down as the Martlets rallied to win 5-1 and extend their Quebec University Hockey League winning streak to an incredible 92 games.

“I thought it maybe took a couple of shifts for us to get our [composure] back [after the goal],” said Martlets Head Coach Peter Smith. “When something like that happens, its hard to avoid putting yourself on your heels a little. But I didn’t think it was a huge issue, I thought we regrouped quickly and had a pretty good first period. We had four or five glorious chances to score in the first and we did a pretty good job of recovering after the [tough] start.”

McGill dominated the game after the first couple minutes, outshooting the Gee-Gees 18-6 and generating numerous scoring chances in the first period. In spite of the Martlets’ pressure, only Katia Clement-Heydra was the only McGill player able to score and the first period ended tied at 1-1.

The game remained tied for most of the second period until Martets sniper Ann-Sophie Bettez scored a power play goal with 27 seconds left to put McGill ahead for good. The goal was Bettez’s seventh of the season.

Led by Captain Cathy Chartrand, McGill continued to charge ahead in the third period. After setting up the first two goals of the game, Chartrand scored 10 minutes into the third. With a goal and two assists on the night, Chartrand now has six goals and 14 points in 11 games which leads all CIS defenders.

“The number one thing that she [Chartrand] brings to our team is leadership,” said Smith. “She’s a hard worker, she competes every time out. I think the leadership she brings to the team is tremendous. She holds the other girls accountable—she works her butt off on and off the ice. She’s just a real joy to coach.”

Chartrand wasn’t the only McGill standout player. Alessandra Lind-Kenny and Carly Hill scored the other two Martlets goals and goaltender Charline Labonte stopped 13 of 14 shots to improve to 9-0 on the season. As a team, the Martlets out-shot the Gee-Gees 45-14.

Not only is McGill’s QUHL winning streak now at 92 games but the win marked the 29th consecutive victory over Ottawa. Despite the amazing winning streak, Smith insists that the team is not concerned with it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever talked to the team about the streak,” he said. “I know it’s a cliché to say we take it one game at a time, but that’s what we do. We work hard on all the good things in our game and we are a very process orientated group. The streak part doesn’t come into play.”

McGill has a couple weeks off before their next game. The Martlets will play the University of Montreal at 1 p.m. on January 23 at McConnell Arena, where they will try to extend the winning streak that everyone is talking about but them.