CIS Quarter-final
Guelph Gryphons vs St. Thomas Tommies
Thursday, March 17 (Markin MacPhail Centre - Calgary, AB)
1pm ET, 11am Mountain Time
Watch live online - www.cis-sic.tv

CALGARY, AB – Last week, there was no need for a scouting report during the lead up to the McCaw Cup between Guelph and Western. Both teams knew each other's tendencies. Both teams knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. Both teams were familiar with the other team's personnel. Check that…they knew each other's personnel inside and out. But this week, that all changes. That type of familiarity which both players and coaches on the Gryphons women's hockey team have grown accustomed to while competing in the OUA against the Westerns, Queen's and Lauriers of the world, will now be replaced with a newfound sense of curiosity as a meeting with an unfamiliar opponent approaches. One of the best parts about making it to a national championship tournament is the fact that you get the opportunity to measure yourself against new opponents. The Gryphons will certainly get that opportunity on Thursday when they face the St. Thomas Tommies in a CIS Quarter-final matchup.

In order to secure the OUA title, the Gryphons had to first make the familiar 30 minute drive to Waterloo to defeat Laurier in the semi-finals. In the OUA Championship game, Guelph's long-time rivals from just down the 401 in London made the drive to the Gryphon Centre for a McCaw Cup re-match. But this week, the travel itinerary isn't quite so simplistic. The Gryphons have flown west to the prairies to face a team from Canada's east coast. The St. Thomas Tommies, based out of Fredericton, New Brunswick, have put together one of the most successful seasons in their program's 14-year history by posting a 16-7-1 record during the regular season, good for third in the AUS (Atlantic University Sport) standings. In the playoffs, the Tommies swept both the Dalhousie Tigers (quarter-finals) and l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (semi-finals) to book a spot at nationals. Although St. Thomas would eventually fall in Game 3 of their best-of-three championship series with the St. Mary's Huskies, they arrive in Calgary as the No. 6-ranked team in the entire country.
 
While the scouting report on St. Thomas may not be engrained in the Gryphons coaches or players like it is for some of their OUA rivals, it nonetheless shows some key players on the Tommies that will need to be accounted for. Leading the way for St. Thomas is #11 Kelty Apperson. The fourth year forward was named AUS MVP following a regular season performance that saw her finish second in her conference in scoring with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 24 games played. The New Hamburg, Ontario native helped form once of the most lethal one-two scoring punches in the country as teammate Lauren Henman (Cow Bay, Nova Scotia) led the AUS with 16 goals on the season, putting her fourth in the entire CIS in scoring. This marks the second time in school history that St. Thomas has competed at the CIS Women's Hockey Championships after the Tommies went 0-3 on home ice two years ago when they hosted the event in the school's lone previous appearance at the competition.
 
The Gryphons meanwhile are the top seeded team at nationals for the first time in school history. The eight-team national tournament, hosted for the second straight year by the University of Calgary, kicks off on Thursday at the Markin MacPhail Centre and culminates Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time (2:30 p.m. Eastern) with the gold-medal final, live on Sportsnet 360and TVA Sports 2. Saturday's semifinals are also televised live on Sportsnet ONE (2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. Mountain) and all 11 games from the competition will be streamed on www.CIS-SIC.tv.

The Gryphons, who placed fifth a year ago in their first CIS championship appearance since 2000, are led by sophomore goaltender Valerie Lamenta, who was named OUA MVP in her first season as the team's starting netminder after she led the country in goals against average (0.99) and save percentage (.957).
 
"Last season's opening game loss at nationals was a heartbreaker and is still fresh in the minds of a lot of our players," said nine-year head coach Rachel Flanagan, whose team lost 4-3 to StFX after building a 3-0 second-period lead. "We return essentially the same squad as last year, so the girls are determined to improve on our fifth-place finish. Last year, we also had the chance to go to Calgary twice, once during the preseason and once for nationals, so it's a place our players are comfortable and familiar with."
 

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CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE (all times MOUNTAIN TIME)
 
Wednesday, March 16
18:00 Sun Life Financial All-Canadian Banquet (Markin MacPhail Centre – Winsport Ballroom)
 
Thursday, March 17
11:00 Quarter-final 1: No. 8 St. Thomas vs. No. 1 Guelph (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
15:00 Quarter-final 2: No. 5 McGill vs. No. 4 UBC (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
 
Friday, March 18
11:00 Consolation 1: Loser QF 1 vs. Loser QF 2 (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
15:00 Quarter-final 3: No. 6 Western vs. No. 3 Saint Mary's (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
19:00 Quarter-final 4: No. 7 Calgary vs. No. 2 Montreal (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
 
Saturday, March 19
10:00 Consolation 2: Loser QF 3 vs. Loser QF 4 (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
14:00 Semifinal 1: Winner QF 1 vs. Winner QF 2 (Sportsnet ONE / www.CIS-SIC.tv) * 
17:30 Semifinal 2: Winner QF 3 vs. Winner QF 4 (Sportsnet ONE / www.CIS-SIC.tv) * 
 
Sunday, March 20
8:45 Bronze (www.CIS-SIC.tv) (at Joan Snyder Arena)   
9:00 5th-place game (www.CIS-SIC.tv) 
12:30 Final (Sportsnet 360 & TVA Sports 2 / www.CIS-SIC.tv) * 
 
* Webcast of the semifinals & final are on pay-per-view basis.
 

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PARTICIPATING TEAMS
 
NO. 1 GUELPH GRYPHONS
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Rachel Flanagan (9^th season)
Regular season record: 21-2-1
Regular season standing: 1^st OUA
Playoff record: 5-1
Playoff finish: OUA champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams:  28-5
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): No. 1
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (10 weeks)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 15
National ranking (offence): 2^nd (3.25)
National ranking (defence): 1^st (1.23)
National ranking (power play): 13^th (14.3)
National ranking (penalty kill): 9^th (89.1)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Valerie Lamenta (MVP), Rachel Flanagan (coach)
Conference 1^st team all-stars: Valerie Lamenta (G), Leigh Shilton (D), Averi Nooren (F)
Conference 2^nd team all-stars: Jessica Pinkerton (F)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leader (points): Averi Nooren, 14-11-25 (24 GP)
Season leader (goals): Averi Nooren, 14 (24 GP)
Season leader (assists): Brittany St.James, 16 (24 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Valerie Lamenta (18 GP, 16-2, 7 SHO, 0.99 GAA, .957)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 4^th  
Last appearance: 2015 (5^th place)
All-time record: 4-6 (.400)
All-time medals: 0
Best result: 4^th place (1998)
Sequence: 2^nd consecutive appearance
 

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NO. 2 MONTREAL CARABINS
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Isabelle Leclaire (7^th season)
Regular season record: 15-3-2
Regular season standing: 1^st RSEQ
Playoff record: 4-0
Playoff finish: RSEQ champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 24-5
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): No. 2
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (3 weeks)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 15
National ranking (offence): 1^st (3.45)
National ranking (defence): 5^th (1.58)
National ranking (power play): 4^th (20.0)
National ranking (penalty kill): 13^th (88.2)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: None
Conference 1st team all-stars: Marie-Pier Chabot (G), Maude Laramée (D), Ariane Barker (F)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Catherine Dubois (F), Alexandra Labelle (F)
Conference all-rookie team: Kim Poirier (D), Catherine Dubois (F), Alexandra Labelle (F)
Season leaders (points): Ariane Barker, 10-9-19 (19 GP) / Alexandra Labelle, 8-11-19 (20 GP)
Season leader (goals): Ariane Barker, 10 (19 GP) / Catherine Dubois, 10 (19 GP)
Season leader (assists): Alexandra Labelle, 11 (20 GP) / Maude Laramée, 11 (20 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Marie-Pier Chabot (11 GP, 8-3, 2 SHO, 1.33 GAA, .945)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 6^th 
Last appearance: 2015 (bronze)
All-time record: 10-5 (.667)
All-time medals: 4 (1-2-1)
Best result: Champions (2013)
Sequence: 5^th consecutive appearance
 

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NO. 3 SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Chris Larade (5^th season)
Regular season record: 17-6-1
Regular season standing: 1^st AUS
Playoff record: 4-2
Playoff finish: AUS champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 25-11
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): No. 5
Top 10 best ranking: No. 4 (2 weeks)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 10
National ranking (offence): 4^th (2.89)
National ranking (defence): 14^th (1.93)
National ranking (power play): 30^th (8.2)
National ranking (penalty kill): 8^th (88.2)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Rebecca Clark (rookie), Chris Larade (coach)
Conference 1^st team all-stars: Sarah Douglas (D), Breanna Lanceleve (F)
Conference all-rookie team: Rebecc Clark (G), Kiana Wilkinson (D), Hayley Hallihan (F)
Season leader (points): Breanna Lanceleve, 11-17, 28 (24 GP)
Season leader (goals): Breanna Lanceleve, 11 (24 GP)
Season leader (assists): Breanna Lanceleve, 17 (24 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Rebecca Clark (16 GP, 13-3, 2 SHO, 1.86 GAA, .914)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 5^th 
Last appearance: 2010 (4^th place)
All-time record: 1-11 (.083)
All-time medals: 0
Best result: 4^th place (2010)
Sequence: Return after 5-year absence
 

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NO. 4 UBC THUNDERBIRDS
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Graham Thomas (4^th season)
Regular season record: 16-9-3
Regular season standing: 2^nd Canada West
Playoff record: 4-2
Playoff finish: Canada West champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 21-16
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): No. 8
Top 10 best ranking: No. 8 (1 week)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 7
National ranking (offence): 14^th (2.46)
National ranking (defence): 12^th (1.87)
National ranking (power play): 18^th (12.1)
National ranking (penalty kill): 18^th (86.3)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: None
Conference 1st team all-stars: None
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Kelly Murray (D), Rebecca Unrau (F)
Conference all-rookie team: Mathea Fischer (F)
Season leader (points): Rebecca Unrau, 12-12-24 (28 GP)
Season leaders (goals): Kathleen Cahoon, 12 (28 GP), Rebecca Unrau 12 (28 GP)
Season leader (assists): Kelly Murray, 15 (28 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Danielle Dube (16 GP, 9-5-1, 3 SHO, 1.76 GAA, .924)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 2^nd  
Last appearance: 2013 (5^th place)
All-time record: 1-2 (.333)
All-time medals: 0
Best result: 5^th place (2013)
Sequence: Return after 2-year absence
 

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No. 5 McGILL MARTLETS
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Peter Smith (16^th season)
Regular season record: 13-5-2
Regular season standing: 2^nd RSEQ
Playoff record: 2-2
Playoff finish: RSEQ finalists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 19-12
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): No. 3
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (1 week)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 15
National ranking (offence): 8^th (2.60)
National ranking (defence): 4^th (1.54)
National ranking (power play): 12^th (15.0)
National ranking (penalty kill): 27^th (83.3)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Olivia Sutter (student-athlete)
Conference 1^st team all-stars: Brittney Fouracres (D), Mélodie Daoust (F)
Conference 2^nd team all-stars: Kelsie Moffatt (D), Gabrielle Davidson (F)
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leader (points): Mélodie Daoust, 18-16-34 (20 GP)
Season leader (goals): Mélodie Daoust, 18 (20 GP)
Season leader (assists): Mélodie Daoust, 16 (20 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Taylor Hough (17 GP, 11-6, 4 SHO, 1.79 GAA, .924)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 16^th
Last appearance: 2015 (finalists)
All-time record: 32-13 (.711)
All-time medals: 13 (4-4-5)
Best result: 4-time champions (2014, 2011, 2009, 2008)
Sequence: 3^rd consecutive appearance (13^th in 14 years)
 

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NO. 6 WESTERN MUSTANGS
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: David Barrett (2^nd season)
Regular season record: 15-8-1
Regular season standing: 3^rd OUA
Playoff record: 4-2
Playoff finish: OUA finalists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 23-12
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): No. 7
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (1 week)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 15
National ranking (offence): 13^th (2.54)
National ranking (defence): 3^rd (1.51)
National ranking (power play): 10^th (15.6)
National ranking (penalty kill): 5^th (90.6)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: None
Conference 1^st team all-stars: Katelyn Gosling (D)
Conference 2^nd team all-stars: None
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leader (points): Brittany Clapham, 9-10-19 (24 GP)
Season leaders (goals): Kendra Broad, 9 (18 GP) / Brittany Clapham, 9 (24 GP)
Season leader (assists): Katelyn Gosling, 14 (24 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Kelly Campbell (21 GP, 12-7, 4 SHO, 1.53 GAA, .948)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 2^nd  
Last appearance: 2015 (champions)
All-time record: 3-0 (1.000)
All-time medals: 1 (1-0-0)
Best result: Champions (2015)
Sequence: 2^nd consecutive appearance
 

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No. 7 CALGARY DINOS
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Danielle Goyette (8^th season)
Regular season record: 12-12-4
Regular season standing: 6^th Canada West
Playoff record: 0-2
Playoff finish: Canada West quarter-finalists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 13-19
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): Unranked
Top 10 best ranking: Unranked all season
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 0
National ranking (offence): 16^th (2.29)
National ranking (defence): 28^th (2.79)
National ranking (power play): 19^th (12.0)
National ranking (penalty kill): 26^th (83.6)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Iya Gavrilova (MVP)
Conference 1^st team all-stars: Iya Gavrilova (F), Sasha Vafina (F)
Conference 2^nd team all-stars: None
Conference all-rookie team: None
Season leader (points): Iya Gavrilova, 20-23-43 (28 GP)
Season leader (goals): Iya Gavrilova, 20 (28 GP)
Season leader (assists): Iya Gavrilova, 23 (28 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Hayley Dowling (18 GP, 10-6, 2 SHO, 2.30 GAA, .915)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 5^th 
Last appearance: 2015 (tied 7^th place)
All-time record: 6-5 (.455)
All-time medals: 2 (1-1-0)
Best result: Champions (2012)
Sequence: 2^nd consecutive appearance (4^th in 5 years)
 

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NO. 8 ST. THOMAS TOMMIES
 
Team Statistics
Head Coach: Peter Murphy (14^th year)
Regular season record: 16-7-1
Regular season standing: 3^rd AUS
Playoff record: 5-2
Playoff finish: AUS finalists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 17-11
Top 10 final ranking (Feb. 23): No. 6
Top 10 best ranking: No. 6 (3 weeks)
Top 10 number of weeks ranked (15 polls): 11
National ranking (offence): 7^th (2.67)
National ranking (defence): 13^th (1.93)
National ranking (power play): 6^th (18.3)
National ranking (penalty kill): 21^st (85.6)
 
Individual Statistics
Conference award winners: Kelty Apperson (MVP)
Conference 1^st team all-stars: Kelty Apperson (F)
Conference 2^nd team all-stars: Jessica McCann (D)
Conference all-rookie team: Jessica McCann (D)
Season leaders (points): Kelty Apperson, 12-14-26 (24 GP)
Season leader (goals): Lauren Henman, 16 (24 GP)
Season leader (assists): Kelty Apperson, 14 (24 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Taylor Cook (19 GP, 11-7, 1 SHO, 1.90 GAA, .929)
 
CIS Championship History
Appearances: 2^nd  
Last appearance: 2014 (6^th place)
All-time record: 0-3 (.000)
All-time medals: 0
Best result: 6^th place (2014)
Sequence: Return after 1-year absence
 

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