An intense best-of-three third game ends a highly promising playoff run for the Gaels.
The Queen’s Women’s hockey team hosted the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on March 1 at the Memorial Centre in a do-or-die game three in the OUA Quarterfinals. The road team has been the prevailing one in the series going into the final game. The Gaels were hoping to reverse that trend on the late Sunday start.
The Gaels came out roaring, heavily dictating the play throughout the first period, outshooting the Ridgebacks 11 to 5. Queen’s was determined to put a high volume of shots toward the net, but nothing to show for it in the first.
A second-period pushback brought the Ridgebacks into the game, making it very evenly contested. Both teams would trade Grade A scoring chances, but the goaltenders stood tall until the final minute. The Gaels would capitalize on a two-on-two offensive play, courtesy of Alex Recksy, HealthSci ’29, giving Queen’s the 1-0 lead. In the final seconds of the period, Captain Sophie Hudson, Sci ’26, would streak in untouched on a breakaway. She would beat the goalie but not the post, keeping the Gaels’ lead one.
The Ridgebacks would jump the Gaels in the first 30 seconds of the final period, with a defensive zone scramble that ended up on the stick of the Ridgeback player, who made no mistake, shooting it into the open net. Despite the setback, Queen’s would push back with sustained offensive pressure hoping to break the tie.
Gaels’ mood changed at 7:39 when a low percentage slapshot from the point was tipped in front by a Queen’s player, changing the direction and finding the back of the net. The excitement of the Ridgebacks was clouded at the Memorial Centre by the sudden tenseness of the Gaels. A late push would ultimately be stopped by the stellar play by the Ridgebacks’ goaltender, effectively ending the Gaels’ season.
A very successful season for the Gaels, finishing first in the OUA East with a record of 19-6-1, a big change from the previous season. A testament to the success of their season was their ability to score, being a top-three team in the OUA in Goals For.
A sombre tone to the end of the season, as a large veteran core played their final games at the Memorial Centre as a Gael.
Tags
OUA quaterfinals, USPORTS, women's hockey
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