News

Patience pays off for Peroff as Martlets tame Gee-Gees, force semifinal rubber match

Published: 24 February 2012

(Jordanna Peroff proves the old axiom that two's company, three's a crowd in the goaltender's crease. Photo by Derek Drummond)

MONTREAL - Jordanna Peroff of Keswick, Ont., tallied twice and added a pair of helpers as the No.2-ranked McGill women's hockey team staved off elimination by spanking Ottawa 8-0 at McConnell Arena, Friday, to even their best-of-three RSEQ conference semifinal series at 1-1.

The lopsided affair was payback for a 2-0 loss in Game 1 of the series in Ottawa, Wednesday. It marked the third time this season that the Martlets (23-3) had followed a lackluster loss with a blow-out win against the team that beat them. Earlier this season, they had avenged 3-2 and 4-3 setbacks to Montreal and Carleton, respectively, with 10-1 and 10-0 conquests.

"Peroff had a real good 200-foot game tonight," said McGill head coach Peter Smith of his fifth-year veteran who was named tourney MVP at the CIS championships last year, but only scored five goals this season. "The puck hasn't been going in for her but she keeps plugging away. She had a solid two-way game, was terrific on faceoffs and almost had a third goal. It was nice to see her get a few tonight."

The Martlets, who led 2-0 after one period and 5-0 after two, had a 43-18 edge in shots and went an impressive 5-for-10 on the power-play. They also killed off all six shorthanded situations.

"Our preparation was better tonight," said Smith. "The biggest difference (compared to Game 1) was in the offensive zone, where we kept our feet moving and moved the puck real well. That speed forced Ottawa into penalties and our power-play was clicking."

Nine members of the Martlets registered points on the scoresheet, including seven who scored goals.

Defenceman Cathy Chartrand of Lac Nominingue, Que., netted a shorthanded marker and had three assists. Rounding out the scoring parade was rearguard Brittney Fouracres of Calgary, Ann-Sophie Bettez of Sept-Iles, Que., and Katia Clément-Heydra of St. Bruno, along with Beaconsfield, Que., natives Kim Ton-That and Leslie Oles.

Bettez and Clement-Heydra also added two assists apiece.

Netminder Charline Labonté of Boisbriand, Que., made 18 saves for her 12th shutout in 30 career playoff games, improving her lifetime record to 28-2 in post-season play.

The rubber match will be played on Sunday at McConnell Arena at 2 p.m. The winner will advance to the RSEQ league championship best-of-three series with the Montreal Carabins, who swept Carleton with identical 5-1 victories.

MARTLET MURMURS: The game started 20 minutes late due to the snowy weather conditions, which resulted in Ottawa arriving late... McGill is 36-4-4 lifetime at home against the Gee-Gees and extended their home-ice win streak over Ottawa to 24 consecutive games since a 3-2 loss in double overtime in a conference semifinal final on Feb. 23, 2005.

SCORING SUMMARY
(RSEQ BEST-OF-THREE SEIMFINAL, Game 2)

Ottawa 0 at McGill 8

(Friday, February 24, 2012 - McConnell Arena)

GOALS BY PERIOD:
Ottawa 0-0-0 -- 0
McGill 2-3-3 -- 8

1st Period-
1, McGill, Leslie Oles 1 (J.Peroff, C.Chartrand), 1:30.
2, McGill, Katia Clement-Heydra 1 (M.Daoust, J.Ferrari), 6:32 (PP).

Penalties-
Bouchard Ott (bodychecking), 5:45;
Reinholcz Ott (interference), 10:35.

2nd Period-
3, McGill, Kim Ton-That 1 (M.Daoust, J.Ferrari), 1:24.
4, McGill, Jordanna Peroff 1 (A.S.Bettez), 2:12 (PP).
5, McGill, Cathy Chartrand 1 (M.Daoust, K.Clement-Heydra), 5:44 (SH).

Penalties-
Lefebvre Ott (bodychecking), 1:36;
Smith Mcg (hooking), 3:49;
Crampton Mcg (interference), 6:42;
Bouchard Ott (interference), 8:27;
Coxon Ott (interference), 11:04;
Ferrari Mcg (interference), 13:52;
Murray Mcg (holding), 15:50;
Desforges Ott (check to the head), 16:28.

3rd Period-
6, McGill, Brittany Fouracres 1 (K.Clement-Heydra, C.Chartrand), 1:38 (PP).
7, McGill, Jordanna Peroff 2 (C.Chartrand, A.S. Bettez), 18:11 (PP).
8, McGill, Ann-Sophie Bettez 1 (J.Peroff), 18:26 (PP).

Penalties-
Desforges Ott (slashing), 0:51;
Peroff Mcg (tripping), 3:26;
Reinholcz Ott (bodychecking), 8:57;
Delange Ott (hooking), 12:26;
Stanidis Ott (cross checking), 16:47;
Oles Mcg (roughing), 18:26.

Shots on Goal-
Ottawa 4-7-7 -- 18.
McGill 15-16-12 -- 43.

Power Play Opportunities-
Ottawa 0 / 6;
McGill 5 / 10.

Goalies-
Ottawa, Stephanie Mercier (L, 1-1, 43 shots-35 saves, 60:00).
McGill, Charline Labonte (W, 1-1, 18 shots-18 saves, 60:00).

Attendance: 97

Start: 7:20 PM

End: 9:22 PM

Length: 2:02

Referee-Gabrielle Ariane-Lortie.

Linesmen-Lysanne Patry , Stephanie Campbell.