RSEQ: Concordia, McGill qualify to U Sports Nationals

For the first time in a dozen years, the Concordia Stingers are playing for the national championship. After upsetting defending-champion Montreal in straight games in the semi-final, the third-seed Stingers — who won the inaugural CIAU title in 1998 and repeated in 1999 — will finally return to the national stage.

They'll be joined at the tournament by perennial contender McGill. The Martlets, ranked No. 4 in the country, faced a scare when Ottawa took them to double-overtime in game one before forcing a decisive third contest. Prior to traveling to Napanee, Ontario, McGill and Concordia will face off this weekend in a battle for the conference title.

How we got here

McGill (1) v. Ottawa (4)

Game One: It took more than 70 minutes to decide a winner, but after the first extra session settled nothing, McGill's Gabrielle Davidson scored just 44 seconds into double-overtime to claim the win. Marimée Godbout-Parent had tallied Ottawa's lone goal in the first period and Olivia Atkinson had tied things up for the Martlets, leading to a 2-1 final score.

Game Two: Cindy Laurin and Mélodie Bouchard put the Gee-Gees ahead and netminder Maude Levesque-Ryan stopped 32 of 33 shots as Ottawa forced game three by a 2-1 scoreline. Gabrielle Davidson scored the Martlets' only goal of the contest.

Game Three: Mélodie Daoust tallied four points to lead her team to a 5-2 victory over Ottawa. Her opening-period goal put the Martlets ahead 1-0 after one. Carol-Ann Upshall briefly tied it up midway through the second, but McGill scored three unanswered goals to end the period up 4-1. Roxanne Rioux narrowed the gap in the third but Daoust put home an empty-netter to clinch the series.

Montreal (2) v. Concordia (3)

Game One: The underdog Stingers outshot their hosts 34-26 and outscored them 6-2 to capture the first game of the series. Claudia Dubois netted a hat trick in the win and totaled five points. Montreal's Annie Germain and Maude Laramée each tied the score early in the game, but Concordia had four unanswered goals in the third period to secure the victory. Three of the Stingers' goals came on the power play, as did both of Montreal's.

Game Two: The teams alternated goals until Dubois yet again played the hero, scoring with 2:52 remaining to send her team to the championship. The Carabins outshot their hosts 40-32, but Katherine Purchase stood tall in the Stingers net. Laurie Mercier and Jessica Cormier scored for Montreal. Stephanie Lalancette opened the scored for Concordia and Dubois had two goals, as the Stingers won the game 3-2 to sweep the series.

🐝WHKY- The 🐝's are moving on to the RSEQ finals!!! 3-2 win over the defending National Champs!! #STINGERSUNITED pic.twitter.com/LPRIYHZUXy

— Concordia Stingers (@The_Stingers) February 25, 2017

What's next

RSEQ Conference Final: McGill (1) v. Concordia (3)

Thursday, March 2 at 7pm at McGill (LIVE STREAM)
Saturday, March 4 at 2pm at Concordia (LIVE STREAM)
*Sunday, March 5 at 2pm at McGill (LIVE STREAM)

*if needed

Nationals

The 2017 U Sports Women's Hockey Championship will take place March 16-19 in Napanee, Ontario, hosted by Queen's University. Two teams from each conference (including the host) will participate.