by John Austen

Losing is not something that sits well with the Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team. And you can’t blame them.

After winning their own Theresa Humes Hockey Tournament for eight straight years, there were a few long faces last Sunday night, when the streak was snapped by the powerful University of Toronto Varsity Blues, who won the 2001 event with a 6-2 win over the Stingers in the final.

“We’re not happy about it, but the game was really a lot closer than the score would indicate,” said Stingers coach Les Lawton. “Toronto is the number-one-ranked team in the country right now, and we know we can play with them. “Their goaltender was hot, which made a big difference.”

Toronto netminder Alison Houston stopped 32 of 34 Stinger shots, including a penalty shot in the first period by national team member Caroline Ouellette, a new addition to the Stingers who joined the team in time for the tournament.

“There is no doubt that [Ouellette] is a real find for Concordia,” said U of T coach Karen Hughes. “At five foot 11, she’s a gamebreaker. The Stingers will be good competition for us when it comes down to the wire — we know that. Heck, we have to beat out all the teams in Ontario first. Then we’ll worry about Concordia.”

More than 400 enthusiastic fans turned up for the final, featuring two of Canada’s premier women’s hockey teams. Concordia was ranked third going into the game, behind both Regina, who weren’t entered in the tournament, and the Blues.

After taking a 1-0 lead after the first period, Toronto broke open the game in the second frame, taking a 4-0 lead before Ouellette scored on the powerplay. In the third period, Toronto got goals from Stephanie Summerhill and Jackie Cherevarty, while Annie Surprenant replied for the Stingers. Concordia outshot Toronto 34-33.

Houston was named outstanding goaltender in the tournament, while her teammate, captain Jen Rawson, was named most valuable player. Ouellette was named the tournament’s outstanding forward.

“Having Stephanie with us should help elevate the performance of our players,” said Lawton. “We’re more intimidating with her in the lineup. We will get better. I’m not worried.”

Ouellette was a member of the world-champion Canadian team in both 1999 and 2000. She represented her country as a member of the junior national team from 1998 to 2000. Ouellette also suits up for the Montreal Wingstar of the National Women’s Hockey League.

“I chose to play at Concordia because the team has a tradition of excellence,” she said. “Also, I want to win a national championship. Concordia was the best choice for me.”

Ouellette has completed all her requirements at Collège Ahuntsic and Nicolet to become a police officer. She has enrolled in sociology courses at Concordia and is hoping to improve her English.

The number-five-ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks finished in third place at the tournament, defeating the Middlebury (Vermont) Panthers 4-3. The McGill Martlets won the consolation final with a 1-0 win over the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The Quebec CEGEP All-Stars finished in seventh place, defeating the St. Francis Xavier X-Women 7-0.