RECAP: Women’s hockey falls in tight series with Carabins

The series couldn't have been closer, but the Gee-Gees women's hockey team fell in three games to the Montreal Carabins in their RSEQ semifinal series.

Jade Picard scored the series clinching goal 28 seconds into overtime in game three.

"The coaching staff is really proud of this group," said Gee-Gees head coach Chelsea Grills. "They were amazing in all aspects and all facets of being student-athletes. Personally, I've never had so much fun coaching. I'd be willing to do anything for the people in that locker room." 

All three games were decided by identical 3-2 scores. Over the course of the series, the score was tied for 73:17, Montreal was leading for 59:38 and Ottawa led for 47:33.

The Gee-Gees started the series with a bang Thursday evening, with Abygail Moloughney, Alèxe Clavelle and Viki Harkness scoring in a clutch away victory. Aurélie Dubuc made 26 saves in the winning effort. 

Ottawa had the chance to close the series out at home Saturday afternoon and held a slim lead heading into the third period, before Montreal scored two unanswered. Sophie Gareau evened the score late in the third, but the Carabins needed just 75 seconds to break the deadlock and secure game three at CEPSUM.

The Gee-Gees mounted a furious comeback after finding themselves down two goals midway through the third. Alyssa Biesenthal made it 2-1 and Clavelle got her third goal of the series to tie the game and force overtime. 

Picard ultimately ended the series on a broken play to advance Montreal to the conference final for the tenth time in their 13-season history.

The Carabins and Concordia Stingers will play in the conference final, with both teams having secured a berth at the U SPORTS National Championship, which is being held at CEPSUM. 

The 2023-24 RSEQ regular season schedule is expected to be announced over the summer. Follow @GeeGeesWHOC for updates.