The Bishop’s Gaiters swept the Carleton Ravens women’s hockey team last weekend in the preliminary series of the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) playoffs, but Carleton still has a chance to compete for a bronze medal under RSEQ’s new playoff structure.
Between 2013 and 2020, the Ravens finished in last place and missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons. With a new team in the conference and the new playoff format, Carleton got its first look at playoff action in 2022.
The team matched up with Bishop’s, the only team ranked lower than Carleton in RSEQ. The series determined the seeding for the bronze medal playoffs, where the Ravens and Gaiters will play the losers of the two semifinals.
According to head coach Pierre Alain, excitement on the team was high heading into the three-game series.
Alain started the first game with some of his youngest players who have demonstrated their ability to score this year. In net was Marie-Ève Côté, Carleton’s second-year starting goalie who, despite facing more shots per game than any other starter in the league, has been consistent all year.
Things started poorly for the Ravens when Bishop’s scored just minutes into the game, reminiscent of mistakes Carleton made early in the season. Despite there being five Ravens on the ice, three Gaiters were open and unguarded.
Carleton matched Bishop’s in shots through the first period, battling hard but failing to convert as Gaiter goalie Charley Wing stood tall.
The second period started much like the first and Bishop’s scored one minute into the frame. Forward Neleh Vigneau Sargeant drove a fast break and forward Angélique Pagé headed for the net. Three Ravens trailed Pagé, but none were close enough to stop her as she tapped the pass into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Carleton’s efforts through the remainder of the game were in vain as Bishop’s dominated puck possession. Through the final two periods, Carleton was outshot 22-7.
The Ravens did score one goal off a good transition on a quick rush led by centre Sydney Berta, who hit the post, allowing forward Justina Beard to put in the rebound.
Alain consistently put out his best players all night, especially forward Jenna Morais, the team’s leading scorer. After the game, Alain said it was to drive offense with her play and help her find her rhythm after returning from injury.
When the final buzzer sounded, the large group of Bishop’s fans erupted in cheers.
“We lost battles and races,” Alain said. “That’s the difference.”
Alain characterized Bishop’s as a low-scoring team that is very tough to score against. Battles, races and staying out of the box were his keys to success for the second game of the series.
On Saturday, again backstopped by Côté, the Gaiters took advantage of a power play four minutes into the first period, putting them ahead early. Again with less than 30 seconds to play in the game, Bishop’s scored on Carleton’s empty net to a chorus of “Start the bus” chants from the home Gaiters crowd.
Despite the Ravens’ 24 shots, they could not score on strong rookie goaltender Aglaé René de Cotret.
Carleton battled better on Saturday, coming closer in the races. Côté, stronger than she had been in the first game, was the Ravens’ “best player,” Alain said. She received the honour of women’s athlete of the week from Carleton Athletics.
Carleton will now enter the bronze medal playoffs. As Concordia and McGill battle for the championship, Bishop’s will play uOttawa and Carleton will play the University of Montreal Carabins.
Montreal and Carleton met three times this year, with the Carabins winning all three matchups and outscoring the Ravens 13-2. The Ravens will have to play harder than they have all year to keep their season alive.
The best-of-three series begins Thursday night in Montreal.
Featured image by Isaac Phan Nay.
