By Owen Kitzan – Sports Editor

The Gaiters hockey team returned to home ice on Jan. 26, looking to bounce back from a loss to Concordia University. The team faced off against the Carabins who made the trip down from the Université de Montréal. The game proved to be a close one as the Gaiters found themselves down by one point after two periods of play had transpired. Gabrielle Santerre would even up the scoring halfway through the second period with an unassisted marker. Then, with five minutes remaining in the third period, Neleh Vigneau Sargeant scored the game-winning goal on a powerplay. She was assisted by Gabrielle Santerre and Justine Turcotte. BU came away with a 2-1 victory, backstopped by goaltender Ericka Gagnon who blocked 21 out of 22 shots.

Two days later, the team was back out on home ice, this time taking on the Gee-Gees from the University of Ottawa. The Gaiters wasted no time at all marking up the scoreboard, notching three first period tallies from Jamie Aspropotamitis, Maude Pépin and Gabrielle Santerre. The second period would kick off with another Bishop’s goal from Neleh Vigneau Sargeant. Pépin would find the back of the net two more times in the second period, capping off her hat-trick and boosting the Gaiters to a 6-0 lead that remained until the final buzzer. Ericka Gagnon once again got the nod between the pipes, stopping all 30 shots she faced. Her two remarkable performances secured her the title of U SPORTS women’s hockey player of the week.

BU would follow that blowout with another massive win over Carleton at home on Feb. 2. The Gaiters absolutely thrashed the Ravens, beating them 7-0. Justine Turcotte, Majorie Bolduc and Gabrielle Santerre snagged a goal apiece while Neleh Vigneau Sargeant and Marie-Camille Theoret both scored two goals. Bishop’s had six different skaters record multi-point nights. Goaltender Gagnon once again had another excellent game stopping all 26 shots she faced en route to the shutout.

Two days later, the Gaiters would play host to McGill for senior night. Having won their last three games, BU headed into the match looking to continue their winning streak against the Martlets.

It took until the second period to see the first goal of the game, Justine Turcotte and Neleh Vigneau Sargeant assisting on a shot from Maude Pépin. The trio would once again connect in the third. This time, Justine Turcotte was assisted by the other two. McGill proceeded to score halfway through the third, bringing the game within one goal until the final minute of play. Gabrielle Santerre would seal the deal for Bishop’s, assisted by Marie-Camille Theoret. Goalies Charley Wing and Faith Miller split the net, each facing 13 shots. Miller would let in the only goal between the two of them.

The Gaiters have three games on the road to wrap up their season before their next home game.