By Gabriella Goodall – Contributor

Over the weekend of September 20 to 22, the Bishop’s women’s hockey team dominated their pre-season games in New Brunswick, clinching three straight wins.

With scores of 6-3 against Moncton on Friday night, 5-1 over UNB on Saturday, and 6-1 against St. Thomas on Sunday afternoon, the team showcased skill and an exceptional team spirit that has left fans and families buzzing with excitement.With scores of 6-3 against Moncton on Friday night, 5-1 over UNB on Saturday, and 6-1 against St. Thomas on Sunday afternoon, the team showcased skill and an exceptional team spirit that has left fans and families buzzing with excitement.

With scores of 6-3 against Moncton on Friday night, 5-1 over UNB on Saturday, and 6-1 against St. Thomas on Sunday afternoon, the team showcased skill and an exceptional team spirit that has left fans and families buzzing with excitement. 

The weekend kicked off on Friday night in Grand Falls with a thrilling game against Moncton University. The Bishop Gaiters demonstrated impressive offensive strategies and sold defensive plays quickly after freshman Amélie Brassard took the lead scoring a key goal that set the tone for the match. Senior Mackenzie Borgfjord was also a key aspect of the Gaiters win when she scored a goal. The Gaiters didn’t stop there when defense Kamryn Johnson’s presence on the ice provided pivotal support, allowing the Gaiters to maintain their offensive pressure throughout the game. Freshman Naomi Côté led the way with a goal and an assist in her team’s convincing win, while Éliane Michaud and Majorie Bolduc completed the solid team performance. The final score of 6-3 reflected a victory, and a statement of the team’s resolve and skill.

Building on their momentum, Bishop’s faced UNB that showcased their relentless effort. From the very first puck drop, it was clear that the Gaiters were ready to continue their winning streak. Senior Maude Pépin stole the spotlight, racking up two goals and two assists, leading the Gaiters to a dominant  5-1 victory. Gabrielle Santerre continued to be a playmaker with one goal and one assist, and Angélique Pagé and Noémie Garneau had important contributions with essential goals. Jamie Aspropotamitis and Justine Turcotte were also crucial in this game as they added assists to seal the victory. In this game, the Gaiters’ defense held strong, allowing opponents to not get scoring chances and allowing them to score only once in the game.

The weekend concluded on a high note, with the Gaiters dismantling St. Thomas 6-1. The team showed their depth and versatility as all players contributed to the win. Freshman Jordanne Laforme scored early in the game, setting the pace for an exciting match. It was again Maude Pépin, who added two goals and an assist to establish herself as one of the top scoring leaders this weekend. Freshman Daphné Boutin scored twice to punctuate the depth of this team. The teamwork and cohesion seemed to be there for the Gaiters as the plays were made with sharpness and confidence. This streak not only shows the skill and determination of the Bishop’s women’s varsity hockey team but also electrifyingly sets the tone for the start of the season. Ahead in the way of facing greater challenges, there lies a perfect weekend, promising them even better times ahead as they try to continue this momentum