SEASON PREVIEW: Women’s hockey opens the 2023-24 season with playoff rematch

The Gee-Gees women's hockey team is days away from the first puck-drop of the 2023-24 season, and they could avenge last season's playoff loss to the Montreal Carabins right away.

The Carabins ended the Gee-Gees playoff run last season in game three of the RSEQ semi-final series. The game was hard fought on both ends, needing overtime to decide the outcome.

This time around, Ottawa has a bit of a different look. Stefanie McKeough was appointed head coach of the program after serving as the full-time assistant coach since November 2020. She is joined by Jennifer Wakefield, who took over the full-time assistant coach role for the Gee-Gees.

In addition to new coaches, eight talented recruits are suiting up in the Garnet and Grey for the first time. Keara Merriman has already made her presence known in the lineup, scoring twice in the Gee-Gees three preseason matchups. 

"We found some players we know have a ton of potential. We have some veterans on the team that have shown them the way since the beginning of training camp," said McKeough.

There is no lack of experience on the roster. After a 12-goal season, Alyssa Biesenthal is back for her third season as a Gee-Gee. To help with production, the Gee-Gees' assist leader, Jade Todd is back in the lineup. 

Captain Mikaila Kraczynski and Katherine Birkby return for their final season as Gee-Gees.

Mahika Sarrazin brings two years of U SPORTS experience between the posts, including an impressive rookie season that granted her RSEQ All-Rookie Team honours in 2021-22. Two rookies, Lauren MacKay and Sarah Howell, round out the goaltending trio. 

"I think it's a really great group," said McKeough. "We have really great trust as a staff which helps make my ability to go out and trust that everyone knows what they need to do and will go out and execute it on gameday easier."

The 25-game regular season sees the Gee-Gees crosstown rivals five times, including Mélisa Kingsley Memorial Game on Nov. 4 and the Alerts Cup on Nov. 19 at TD Place Arena, but the first time the Gee-Gees meet with the Ravens is in their second game of the season on Oct. 21 on home ice. 

On Nov. 3, Ottawa has their first meeting against the defending RSEQ champions and reigning national silver medalists, the Concordia Stingers. The Stingers will also be the Gee-Gees last competition before the break, as they head to Montreal for a Dec. 2 game.

In the second half of the season, the Gee-Gees start things up by hosting McGill on Jan. 6 but spend much of the remainder of the regular season on the road. Ottawa will not see a home game between Jan. 25 and Feb. 16 when they close out the regular season against Bishop's at the Minto Sports Complex. 

The Gee-Gees look to improve on their RSEQ semi-final loss and qualify for the U SPORTS National Championship at the University of Saskatchewan on Mar. 14-17.

Tickets for Gee-Gees home games, including the home opener against Montreal on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. will be available at https://teams.geegees.ca/tickets.