Men’s and Women’s hockey had two different weekends.
Ladies first, starting with the Women travelling to Northeastern Toronto to take on the Ontario Tech (OT) Ridgebacks and the York Lions on Jan. 30 and 31, respectively. Coming into the game, Queen’s sat at the top of the OUA East standings with 40 points.
In a low scoring affair, the Gaels got off to an early lead with Mikayla Cranney, ArtSci ’27, with her 15th goal of the season. The Ridgebacks tied the score early in the third to make it 1-1. Goaltender Emma Tennant, Sci ’27, was spectacular, putting up 33 saves and forcing a shootout.
During the shootout, after a Ridgebacks goal, Queen’s forward Taya Leonard, Kin ’27, scored on a nice backhand move. A stop by Tennant, set up Cranney to take control of the shootout with a goal and made no mistake with a forehand move opening up the goalie and sliding it into the open cage. The third shooter for the Ridgebacks had to score to keep it alive, and Tennant gave her nothing giving the Gaels the 2-1 victory.
After the spirited OT win the night before, the Gaels took on the Lions on Jan. 31. Queen’s started the party with a power play goal courtesy of Melissa Parton, ArtSci ’28. Queen’s then followed it up just over a minute after with a goal by Emily DeBrouwer, Sci ’28, her first of the season.
The Second period started the same way as the first ended with a goal by the Gaels, this time by Melani Brooks, ArtSci ’29. The Lions answered back with a goal to cut the deficit to 3-1. The Gaels would add another goal late in the second to make it 4-1 and cruise to the finish line securing the win and the weekend sweep.
With the two wins, they continue to control the OUA East and climb to eighth in the USports rankings.
On the Men’s side, the Gaels came into it looking for a winning result at home in a tight OUA East. It was a tall task taking on the number one team the Concordia Stingers, according to USports rankings since Jan. 26. The Gaels put up a good fight limiting the Stingers’ chances, but it was no match for the Stingers offence as they scored with 23 seconds remaining in the second period. As Queen’s tried to mount a comeback, the Stingers scored a goal with 2:30 left to put the game out of reach.
Coming off the tough loss, the Gaels look to bounce back against the Nipissing Lakers on Jan. 31. The Lakers got out to a quick 2-0 lead early in the first period and controlled the neutral zone in much of the play. Poised for a comeback in the third period, the Lakers scored right off the opening face off to take a commanding 3-0 lead. The Lakers would add an empty net and finish the game with a 4-0 win.
The Gaels have a massive rivalry weekend that includes the McGill Redbirds on Feb. 6 at the Memorial centre at 7:30 p.m., and the Carr Harris Challenge Cup on Feb. 7 against the RMC Paladins at the Slush Puppie Place, puck drop 7 p.m.
Tags
Emily DeBrouwer, Emma Tennant, Melani Brooks, Melissa Parton, Mikayla Cranney, Nipissing Lakers, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, Taya Leonard, York Lions
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