By Jim Hynes
Both McGill Hockey teams made successful returns to conference play this past weekend after the lengthy holiday break. The No.1-ranked Martlets extended their win streak over Quebec University Hockey League opponents to 93 with a 3-0 defeat of Concordia at the Ed Meagher Arena Saturday. The win may have been a costly one for the Martlets as all-Canadian netminder Charline Labonté (seen in action at left) was injured late in the second period and left the game with suspected back spasms.
The game was the Martlets first since going 3-0 at the Manitoba Bisons Hockey Holiday Classic in Winnipeg Dec. 29-31. They’ll enjoy another lengthy break now, not returning to the ice until their Jan. 23 meeting with UdeM at McConnell Arena.
The Redmen made a more dramatic return to the ice, defeating the Ottawa Gee Gees in overtime at the uOttawa Sports Complex Saturday. Third-year forward Andrew Wright scored at 2:45 of the extra frame to give No. 3-ranked McGill the win. There was no rest for the victorious however as the Redmen had to visit the Concordia Stingers back in Montreal the following day. Alexandre Picard-Hooper scored twice and added a pair of assists in leading McGill to a 6-2 win. It was the first meeting of the season between the crosstown rivals. The Redmen, who sit atop the OUA standings with an 18-0-2 record, had a 36-25 edge in shots. They’ll play their next four games on home ice, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday (Jan. 14) as they take on Carleton in the annual Winter Carnival Game at McConnell Arena.
With files from Earl Zukerman, McGill Athletics & Recreation