OTTAWA (CIS) – As expected, The McGill Martlets have been seeded as the No. 1 team for the 2007 Canadian Interuniversity Sport women's hockey championship to be held at the University of Ottawa, March 16-19.
Following McGill in order are the No. 2-ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (OUA champions), No. 3 and reigning national champion Alberta Pandas (Canada West champions), No. 4 Moncton Aigles Bleues (AUS champions), No. 5 and tournament host Ottawa Gee-Gees (QSSF finalists), and No. 6 Manitoba Bisons (Canada West finalists).
The Martlets, in the midst of their best campaign since they were founded in 1896, will be looking to capture their first-ever CIS crown in the nation's capital after dominating all 16 Top 10s published this season.
After going 17-1-0-0 in conference play, McGill goes into the end-of-the-year tournament on an eight-game win streak, including an 8-1 domination of the Gee-Gees in the final match of the QSSF championship series on Friday.
No. 1 McGill has been grouped in Pool A with fourth-seeded Moncton, making its first appearance in history at the nationals, and No. 6 Manitoba. The Quebec champions will face the Bisons Friday at 4 p.m. Eastern in the tourney opener.
In the Pool B opener, 2004-05 champion Laurier takes on host Ottawa Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Alberta will open its title defense Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the loser of the Laurier-Ottawa duel. The Pandas claimed their fifth banner in seven seasons a year ago with a 2-1 win over the Golden Hawks in the title match.
SEEDINGS & POOLS
1. McGill Martlets (QSSF champions / 17-1-0-0 regular season, 4-0 playoffs)
2. Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (OUA champions / 19-2-3-0 regular season, 2-0 playoffs)
3. Alberta Pandas (CW champions / 21-3-0-0 regular season, 4-0 playoffs)
4. Moncton Aigles Bleues (AUS champions / 18-3-0-0 regular season, 2-0 playoffs)
5. Ottawa Gee-Gees (QSSF finalists / 12-6-0-0 regular season, 2-3 playoffs)
6. Manitoba Bisons (CW finalists / 15-9-0-0 regular season, 2-3 playoffs)
Pool A
1. McGill
4. Moncton
6. Manitoba
Pool B
2. Wilfrid Laurier
3. Alberta
5. Ottawa
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (all times LOCAL)
Friday, March 16
16:00 Pool A #1: McGill vs. Manitoba
19:30 Pool B #1: Laurier vs. Ottawa
Saturday, March 17
16:00 Pool A #2: Moncton vs. Loser Pool A #1
19:30 Pool B #2: Alberta vs. Loser Pool B #1
Sunday, March 18
16:00 Pool A #3: Moncton vs. Winner Pool A #1
19:30 Pool B #3: Alberta vs. Winner Pool B #1
Monday, March 19
10:00 5th place
14:00 Bronze
19:00 Championship final