White and Blue ready to work hard for return to nationals
By Corey LeBlanc
The STFX X-Women hockey team is one that is going to "compete every night," according to head coach Ben Berthiaume.
"We are focusing on maintaining a work ethic in each game that will give us a good chance to win," the Antigonish native says of the White and Blue as they prepare for the start of the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) regular season.
Berthiaume notes that his student-athletes continue to show a commitment to getting better and establishing consistency in practice, as they ready to drop the puck this weekend for a four-game pre-season schedule.
It has been more than 18 months since the X-Women had their push for a U SPORTS championship snuffed out heartbreakingly by the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
A dramatic 2-1 victory – in OT – over the Montreal Carabins in quarterfinal action at nationals that March in Charlottetown came on the heels of a two-game sweep over the Saint Mary's Huskies in the 2020 AUS playoffs to capture the conference banner.
The White and Blue wrapped up that unceremoniously shortened campaign, including regular and postseason, with 17 consecutive victories.
"It has been long for everybody," Berthiaume offers of the unprecedented interruption, one that hasn't seen the White and Blue play an opponent since that thrilling playoff victory over Montreal.
He remembers the X-Women program clinging to hope of a return to AUS action last winter, but that didn't happen; there weren't even any exhibition games. "Kudos to our players – they trained and practiced hard," Berthiaume says, noting their perseverance in a situation that "wasn't easy."
Nevertheless, he adds, "We developed as best we could," considering the circumstances.
Berthiaume notes that the upheaval also affected recruiting.
"It was a little tougher than normal," he says, considering he and his staff were unable to watch potential X-Women in action, particularly in person, while prospective student-athletes were unable to come to the Antigonish campus for the traditional recruiting visit.
Nevertheless, Berthiaume says they are pleased with the recruits – two years' worth – that have joined the program.
In 2020, the X-Women added forwards Abby Lewis (Kanata, ON), McKiya Mazur (Russell, MB), Chloe Oleksiuk (Winnipeg, MB), Kristen Marshall (Whitby, ON) and Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON), who transferred from Lindenwood University of the NCAA; along with defense Olivia Sutton (Calgary, AB).
Heading into this season, the White and Blue have welcomed defense Vivian Hinch (Vancouver, B.C.), Ella Van De Sompel (London, ON) and Ashley Monds (Brockville, ON), forwards Landyn Pitts (Antigonish, N.S.), Ellie Brown (Kemptville, ON), Anna MacCara (Yellowknife, NWT), Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, ON) and Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, N.S.), who transferred from the now defunct Robert Morris University program; along with goaltenders Maggie Johnston (Summerside, PE) and Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK).
"We are going to be deeper than we have been in the past," Berthiaume says in commenting on the depth that these incoming student-athletes will provide.
Along with the newcomers, the White and Blue welcome back a group of players that the X mentor says is hungry, including 2019-20 U SPORTS player of the year Tyra Meropoulis (Edson, AB), a high-scoring forward with a blistering shot.
Veterans up front – such as Lea MacLeod (Dartmouth, N.S.) and Emerson Elliott (Aurora, ON) – are also expected to be key leaders and contributors.
"We have a lot of players back who are going to contribute and be leaders for us," Berthiaume notes.
On the back end, returnees Josie Chisholm (Antigonish, N.S.), Hannah MacDonald (Wetaskiwin, AB) and Emma Thomas (Red Deer, AB) will help lead a defense that combines youth and experience.
"They can skate the puck," Berthiaume offers of the corps.
The incoming Giraudier is expected to form a dynamic duo between the pipes with Jamie Johnson (Victoria, B.C.), who fashioned a breakout season two years ago – backstopping the X-Women to their appearance at nationals.
"We are going to be a quick team that puts a lot of pressure on people," Berthiaume says, when asked about what fans can expect on the ice.
Noting he predicts "scoring by committee, he adds that the X-Women expect to have two – if not three – balanced scoring lines, a consequence of their improved depth and skill level. "That's something that we are really excited about," Berthiaume adds, noting that – in the past – the team has relied heavily on one key scoring trio supported by strong checking lines.
This season, opponents will not be able to focus on shutting down one line.
And, of course, the X-Women will be focused on playing strong defense. "We plan to be strong in our own end," Berthiaume offers.
Overall, he expects STFX to be a "talented group," one that will be able to compete for the program's second consecutive AUS banner. "We have high expectations," he says, adding that the roster – both newcomers and returnees – boasts "a lot of really good pieces."
The four-game pre-season schedule for the X-Women is made up of two home-and-home series, starting with a match-up against the rival Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday, Sept. 24, followed by the return engagement in Halifax on Saturday, Sept. 25.
"It is going to be exciting – everyone is so pumped about getting to play after so long," Berthiaume offers.
The following weekend, STFX will return to Halifax to face the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday, Oct. 1, before they visit the Keating Centre on Saturday, Oct. 2. Puck drop for each game is 7 p.m.
The White and Blue will start the AUS regular season – on the road – when they visit Halifax to face the Tigers on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
Their first home game is set for Friday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., when the UPEI Panthers come to Antigonish.
"Everyone is looking forward to it – we can't wait to have our fans back in the rink," Berthiaume says.
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