Last week closed the regular season of RSEQ hockey and solidified the standings heading into the postseason. McGill (16-4-0), ranked No.4 nationally, will face Ottawa (9-10-0-1), while eighth-ranked Montreal (11-8-1) will take on Concordia (10-9-1). Two teams from each of the four conferences advance to the U Sports championship tournament. In RSEQ, this means that winner of each semi-final series will earn a berth to nationals before moving on to play for the conference crown.
The match-ups are the same as last year, though the rankings that led to them have changed. This may be tough luck for the first-place Martlets, who found fourth-seed Ottawa to be their biggest challenge throughout the campaign. McGill came away with a 3-2 edge in the season series, but fared better with a 5-0 record against Montreal and 4-1 over Concordia. Montreal has the clear edge over the Stingers with a 4-1 record in the regular season, though the Carabins have shown some inconsistency this year.
Semi-Final Schedule
McGill (1) v. Ottawa (4)
Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at McGill (LIVE STREAM)
Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. at Ottawa (LIVE STREAM)
*Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at McGill (LIVE STREAM)
Montreal (2) v. Concordia (3)
Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at Montreal (LIVE STREAM)
Saturday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Concordia (LIVE STREAM)
*Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at Montreal (LIVE STREAM)
*if necessary
The best-of-three final series will be held between the two winners on March 2, 4, and 5 (if needed).
Awards
Prior to the playoffs the conference also released its list of award winners and all-stars. Concordia boasts seven different honourees, while five McGill players combined for eight total awards.
Major Awards
Athlete of the Year: Mélodie Daoust – McGill
Rookie of the Year: Tricia Deguire – McGill
Leadership & Community Engagement Award: Vickie Lemire – Ottawa
Coach of the Year: Julie Chu – Concordia
First All-Star Team
Goalkeeper: Tricia Deguire – McGill
Defence: Caroll-Ann Gagné – Concordia
Defence: Bryanna Newald – Ottawa
Forward: Mélodie Daoust – McGill
Forward: Mélodie Bouchard – Montreal
Forward: Jessica Cormier – Montreal
Second All-Star Team
Goalkeeper: Katelyn Steele – Carleton
Defence: Maude Laramée – Montréal
Defence: Marie-Joëlle Allard – Concordia
Forward: Olivia Atkinson – McGill
Forward: Claudia Dubois – Concordia
Forward: Marie-Philip Lavoie – McGill
All-Rookie Team
Goalkeeper: Tricia Deguire – McGill
Defence: Alexandra Nikolidakis – Concordia
Defence: Brigitte Laganière – Concordia
Forward: Delaney Ross – Carleton
Forward: Jade Downie-Landry – McGill
Forward: Audrey Belzile – Concordia