Saints Fall in Exhibition Contest
Sept. 30: The St. Lawrence University women's hockey team took
on McGill University in their annual exhibition contest at Appleton
Arena on Friday evening. Martlet goaltender Charline Labonte,
a member of Canada's Olympic team, turned in a 31-save performance
and Ann-Sophie Bettez scored the game-winner with 5:32 remaining in
regulation, leading McGill past the Saints, 2-1.
St. Lawrence, which will open its 2011-12 regular season tomorrow
against north country rival Clarkson in a non-league game, had
numerous quality chances but was stifled by the Martlet netminder
throughout.
"We really created some great looks offensively," said St. Lawrence
head coach Chris Wells, whose team was hindered by 10 minor
penalties in the game. "Labonte played great, and I thought
Caitlyn (Lahonen) matched her effort throughout. I'm excited
about the way we played and we'll be ready to take on a solid
Clarkson squad tomorrow."
St. Lawrence goaltender Caitlyn Lahonen turned in a quality start
for the home team, notching 23 saves including nine in the third
period.
After a first period that passed with most of the action in the
neutral zone, McGill capitalized on a late 5-on-3 power play to
take a 1-0 lead. Cathy Chartrand sent a crossing pass from
the blue line to the far post to Katie Clement-Heydra, who
one-timed a shot past Lahonen for the lead.
The Saints would even the game midway through the second period
with a 5-on-3 power play goal of their own by sophomore Rylee
Smith. Captain Karell Emard started the play, getting the
puck to senior Alley Bero. Bero crossed a pass through the
crease to Smith, who lifted a shot under the cross bar at 9:09 of
the period to even the game at 1-1.
Despite an impressive 17-8 advantage in shots on goal in the second
stanza including a penalty shot for rookie Amanda Boulier, St.
Lawrence was unable to come away with the lead due to outstanding
play by Labonte.
The game remained tied throughout the majority of the third period,
as Lahonen made a fantastic save on Leslie Oles midway through the
third period, sprawling to her right to knock away a
deflection. Labonte would answer only moments later with a
beautiful glove save on senior Vanessa Emond on a 2-on-1 try with
just over 7:00 minutes to play.
After the 10th penalty of the game was called against St. Lawrence
giving McGill its ninth power play try, Bettez tallied the eventual
game-winner at 14:28 of the third period. Clement-Heydra sent
a quick pass out from behind the net to a wide-open Bettez, who
quickly fired a one-timer low past Lahonen's leg pad for the
Martlets' second power play goal and a 2-1 lead.
Though the Saints pulled Lahonen for an extra skater in the final
two minutes, they were unable to solve Labonte, falling 2-1 in the
exhibition contest.
St. Lawrence will face the Golden Knights in the regular season
opener tomorrow at Appleton Arena, with the puck scheduled to drop
at 7:00pm. Prior to the game at 3:45pm, former St. Lawrence
players will take on former Clarkson players in an alumnae
game.












