CIS WOMEN'S HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP: Laurier downs Moncton 6-0

FREDERICTON (CIS) – The second-seeded Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks flew past the No. 3 Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 6-0 Friday afternoon in the third game of the Scotiabank CIS women's hockey championship at the Grant Harvey Centre in Fredericton.
 
BOXSCORE: STATS
           
Laurier was downed by fifth-seeded McGill 4-1 yesterday in the first game of the tournament. Moncton is the third team in Pool B, and will play McGill tomorrow afternoon.
           
Laurier's head coach Rick Osborne said this victory was crucial to stay in contention for a medal.
           
"We needed to make sure, number one, that we kept the goals against down," he said. "I like the zeroes [on the scoreboard] at any time but especially when there could be a possible differential, if there's a tiebreaker. It gives us a chance."
           
The Golden Hawks started the game with lots of energy as Laurier's Jessie Hurrell scored their first goal 44 seconds into the period. The team then continued to dominate, putting pressure on the Aigles Bleues and keeping play in their end. Moncton couldn't match Laurier's speed early, but halfway through the period the Golden Hawks slowed down. Moncton took control and used strong forechecking to keep Laurier at bay. At the end of the first, both teams had managed 11 shots.
           
The second period saw Laurier dominate the Aigles Bleues. Moncton couldn't clear their zone and Laurier scored four goals through Megan Howe, Montana Merante, Jessie Hurrell, and Laura Brooker. Laurier had 13 shots to Moncton's 8.
           
The Aigles Bleues were able to fight the Golden Hawks off for most of the third period. Lauriernstayed near the net to get the rebounds, but rookie goaltender Gabrielle Forget made some incredible saves. Robyn Degagne finalized the Golden Hawks’ 6-0 win with only 1:34 left in the game. Laurier outshot the Aigles Bleues 37-22.
           
Devon Skeats, Tammy Freiburger, Laura Brooker, and Jessie Hurrell all recorded two points in the game and five of seven of the Golden Hawks' dressed rookies had points. The 6-0 victory ties the biggest lead Laurier has ever recorded at a CIS championship when they played Manitoba in 2005.
           
Both Laurier and Moncton started rookie goaltenders. Amanda Smith of the Golden Hawks recorded two shutouts in the OUA championship series. Forget had a shutout in the final game of AUS playoffs.
           
Aigles Bleues head coach Denis Ross thought his team lost too many pucks and didn't take the opportunities they were given. 
           
"If there's six players on the ice, they have to play together. If there's one girl that doesn't do the right thing, you get in trouble and somebody has to step in."
           
Ross said he plans to start Forget again tomorrow against McGill.
           
Osborne thinks that, despite a 6-0 loss, Moncton has a lot of fight left in them.
           
"I think Moncton will rebound because the way they forechecked to their goaltender is good. I'm looking for them to have a really good game. Anything can happen."
           
The Scotiabank CIS women's hockey championship continues Friday night as the host team St. Thomas University Tommies take on the fourth-seeded University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wice/index
 
SCHEDULE, RESULTS & POOL STANDINGS (all times ATLANTIC TIME)
 
Pool A             GP       W        OTW   OTL    L          GF       GA      PTS
1. MTL            1          1          0          0          0          3          0          3
2. STU             0          0          0          0          0          0          0          0
3. SASK           1          0          0          0          1          0          3          0
 
Pool B             GP       W        OTW   OTL    L          GF       GA      PTS
1. McG            1          1          0          0          0          4          1          3
2. WLU            2          1          0          0          1          7          4          3
3. MCT            1          0          0          0          1          0          6          0
 
NOTE (scoring system):
Win in regulation (W): 3 points
Win in overtime or shootout (OTW): 2 points
Loss in overtime or shootout (OTL): 1 point
Loss in regulation (L): 0 point
 
Thursday, March 13
14:00 Pool B #1: McGill 4, Wilfrid Laurier 1
19:00 Pool A #1: Montreal 3, Saskatchewan 0
 
Friday, March 14
14:00 Pool B #2: Wilfrid Laurier 6, Moncton 0
19:00 Pool A #2: No. 4 Saskatchewan vs. No. 6 St. Thomas (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
 
Saturday, March 15
14:00 Pool B #3: No. 5 McGill vs. No. 3 Moncton (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
19:00 Pool A #3: No. 1 Montreal vs. No. 6 St. Thomas (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
 
Sunday, March 16
10:00 5^th Place (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
14:00 Bronze (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
18:30 Final (Sportsnet 360 & www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
 
* The webcast of the championship final will be on pay-per-view basis.