Courtesy Glenn MacDonald, The Chronicle Herald
The St. Francis Xavier X-Women will play the No. 1 McGill Martlets for gold tonight at the CIS women’s hockey championship in Waterloo, Ont.
The second-seeded X-Women clinched a berth in the title game by edging the Manitoba Bisons 4-3 on Saturday to wrap up first place in their three-team pool.
St. F.X. has never won a medal in Canadian university women’s hockey and held a 3-24 all-time record heading into this week’s CIS championship.
But the X-Women won two close games over tough opponents and have at least assured themselves a silver medal. But they want nothing less than gold.
"What an incredible feeling to be playing for a national championship," an elated David Synishin, St. F.X. head coach, said following Saturday’s win. "This is a group that’s a different type than what’s been here before. I think we can do well and I’m so happy to be going into the game with this group of players."
Carolyn Campbell scored the winner at 13:48 of the third period, snapping a 3-3 tie and helping the X-Women record their 29th consecutive victory.
"We knew we would advance to the gold medal (game) if we won or lost in overtime because of the tiebreaker (formula)," Synishin said.
"The girls didn’t know that but of course the coaches did so we just pushed them in the second and third periods to win this hockey game. As a coach, Campbell’s goal was really huge knowing that they would have to score two in regulation to out us out of the gold medal game. "
Nicole Hansom tallied twice for St. F.X. and Shannon Crezel added a single. Kristy Garrow made 16 saves to earn the historic win, which secured the X-Women their first-ever berth in a national championship game.
McGill advances to the gold-medal game for the fifth straight time with a 3-1 victory over the Queen’s Gaels earlier Saturday. The Marlets extended their undefeated streak this season to 26 games.
"McGill has been the top team in country for a number of years. They don’t have any weakness throughout their lineup and they’ll be rested," Synishin said.
"But we were in a tough pool. Laurier was one of the top teams in the country and we were able to beat them in our opener.
"I certainly like the group we’re going in with. We have battled all year long and we have battled this weekend."