RECAP: Sarrazin solid, women’s hockey closes first half with win over McGill

A pair of powerplay goals and characteristically sound goaltending led the Ottawa Gee-Gees to a 4-1 win over the McGill Martlets Friday evening at the Minto Sports Complex.

Mahika Sarrazin made 16 saves while Abygail Moloughney earned the game-winner on the powerplay.

"I think the powerplay has always been clicking," said Gee-Gees assistant coach Greg Bowles. "With the number of crossbars we hit and the almost's we had earlier in the season, we were fighting with frustration on the powerplay. We were generating opportunities, now a few of the bounces are going in."

The Martlets opened the scoring and held a 1-0 lead into the second period before the Ottawa offense exploded. Katherine Birkby pulled the Gee-Gees even, before Moloughney scored one of the more aesthetically pleasing goals of the season, combining with Viki Harkness to take the lead.

A slick passing play sees Abygail Moloughney earn her team-leading tenth goal of the season! ��#GGnation�� https://t.co/7W1EGgL1rs pic.twitter.com/HrwRDd3p68

— Gee-Gees Women's Hockey | Hockey féminin (@GeeGeesWHOC) December 3, 2022

Alyssa Biesenthal added to the lead and Harkness picked up a goal of her own to wrap the scoring in the third period. Moloughney, Harkness and Ariane Minville each recorded multi-point evenings. 

Ottawa concludes the first half of the RSEQ regular season on a three-game winning streak and with a 9-3-1 record, good for second place in the conference. 

"We have high expectations for this group," said Gee-Gees assistant coach Greg Bowles. "The expectations are high because we know that if we play our best hockey, we should have results. We come into games expecting results because we expect the effort, and we expect the commitment to it."

There is a tremendous amount of parity at the top of the RSEQ this season, with Montreal, Concordia and the Gee-Gees all jockeying for top position. The physical Bishop's Gaiters have settled into fourth place, with Carleton chasing them in fifth. McGill will struggle to get out of the basement in the second half. 

Abygail Moloughney has been leading the offence for Ottawa. The transfer from Syracuse is tied for the RSEQ lead in points with 17, while sitting second in goals with 10. 

Jade Todd has also been enjoying a nice offensive season. The Ottawa product is equal with Moloughney for second in conference assists. Katherine Birkby and Alyssa Biesenthal have five goals apiece, good for second on the team behind Moloughney.

Aurélie Dubuc and Mahika Sarrazin have split time between the pipes evenly through the first half. Both are enjoying banner years, with the former leading the conference in wins. Dubuc was named the RSEQ Athlete of the Month for October following a 4-0 start – the first undefeated month of October in the program's varsity history.