Ravens join Stingers as only teams besting the Gaiters

By Owen Kitzan – Sports Editor

The Gaiters women’s hockey team has had a strong start to their season. With a record of 4-3-0, the road ahead looks bright for them as the season continues to unfold. In their last four games before Friday’s match against Concordia, they boasted a record of 3-1-0, with their sole loss coming in a narrow two-to-one loss against the Concordia Stingers.

Leading the team’s early success is notable standout rookie Gabrielle Santerre. Her performance includes a two-goal and two-assist performance in a 4-2 win against the Gee-Gees, as well as the lone goal in the team’s loss to Concordia. Also helping to lead the pack is Maude Pépin, a fellow forward alongside Santerre. To date this season, she has amassed 11 points. To round out an impressive top three amongst the forward core, Neleh Vigneau Sargeant has also started the year off red hot. She joins her other two forwards in strong performances. Rookie goaltender Ericka Gagnon has also been stellar, winning both of her two games as well as boasting an impressive .945 save percentage.

The Gaiters will certainly look to build on their early success and carry the momentum with them down the stretch. With another 19 games remaining on their regular season schedule, it will prove to be a grueling battle. Coming off a season where the team finished 11-13-1, there is light in the swamp. A tough early-season opponent has shown itself early, the Concordia Stingers who have started the year of 6-0-0. 

The only losses this year have come at the hands of the Stingers and from their Nov. 10 game against the Carleton Ravens. The Stingers were the very same team that bounced them from the playoffs last year. Ravens bested the Gaiters on Nov. 10, Friday night 5-1. 

With so much time left in the season, there is no way to predict what will happen in the coming months. As of now, the team appears to be in good hands led by solid coaching staff and an electric top three in the forward core. It should be an exciting year for Bishop’s hockey who will take on Concordia in Montreal on Nov. 17, followed by a home game on Nov. 19 against Université de Montréal.