Griffins shade Hockey Queens in exhibition shoot-out

It took awhile for the Red Deer College Queens to get their skating legs at the Enmax Centrium Thursday against the Grant MacEwan Griffins, but when they did they nearly came away with the victory. After trailing by one the Queens tied the game in the 3rd period to push it into extra-time, eventually falling in the shoot-out 2 to 1 .

Two minutes into the game the Queens were put on their heels when they got called for body checking, but they managed to keep the game scoreless in large part due to starting Queens goaltender Tracie Kikuchi. The netminder made some key saves throughout the opening period, helping kill off two 1st period power plays for the Griffins and keeping RDC in the game. At 8:57 the Queens had their first power play on a tripping call but could not capitalize. After 20 minutes of play the shots were 7 to 4 in favour of the Griffins.

Both teams started to increase the energy level in the 2^nd period. Two minutes forty-five seconds into the period Grant MacEwan was sent off for body checking allowing the Queens to generate their best offensive chances thus far, but they couldn't beat the Griffins goalie Sandy Heim.

Grant MacEwan struck first with 7:25 remaining in the middle frame when Michelle Pochapsky capitalized on a cross ice feed. Kikuchi made a great attempt sliding from her left to her right but didn't have much of a chance to stop the shot. Pochapsky used her quick release and buried the chance at the left side of the net. Red Deer native Jen West took over in the Queens net.

The RDC Queens picked up steam as the game continued and came close to tying the game when Kaci Jones skated up the left side, beat Heim with a high wrist shot on the glove side but rang it off the post.

The Queens had a power play opportunity with 3:47 left when MacEwan was sent off for hooking, but that power play was negated when RDC was called for interference 41 seconds later. In the 2nd period the shots started to even out. The Griffins fired 6 shots at Kikuchi and West, while RDC sent 7 shots at the Griffins net.

The Queens forward line of Emily Swier, Ashley Graf and Breanna Martin started to apply some pressure in the 3rd period and created several good scoring opportunities. This increased time in the offensive zone paid off when RDC eventually tied the contest up 1-1 at 13:02 of the 3rd. Teagan Borbandy fired a shot on net that new Griffins netminder Courtney Beierbach couldn't control. The goalie caught a piece of the puck but it bounced into the net. Jessica Anderson, from Water Valley, Alberta picked up the lone assist.

The last few minutes created excitement at both ends of the rink as each team wanted to avoid overtime. Jen West stopped a one timer in the high slot with 7 minutes left. With about 4 minutes remaining Queens forward Ashley Graf was in alone on Beierbach but was stopped. A couple minutes later RDC's Emily Swier had a great opportunity but was turned aside. Regulation time wound down with the Queens generating 10 shots in the 3rd period while the Griffins had 8.

The game headed to a 4-on-4 overtime period for 5 minutes. Grant MacEwan had a good opportunity to seal the victory when the Queens were called for boarding 40 seconds into the extra period. Grant MacEwan could not score thanks to Jen West's incredible stick save. West, a Business Administration student, reached back with her paddle on the ice to preserve the tie. Shots were 1 to 1. 

Five more minutes of 3-on-3 overtime solved nothing. The Queens had much of the play in the Grant MacEwan zone. Julia Murrel had a great opportunity to end the game but couldn't bury it. Jen West continued to play well kicking out the right pad on a prime Griffins chance moments later. The 5 minutes expired and the shots favoured the Griffins 3 to 2. 

The Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter appreciated the solid play of his two goalies.

"I have been very happy with our goaltenders," said Coulter. "They give us an opportunity to win and have been two of our best players." 

The penalty killing was perfect for both teams. The Queens killed off all 5 Griffins power plays while Grant MacEwan stopped all 4 of the Queens advantages.

The game headed to the shoot-out. The first 3 shooters could not score. Queens forward Breanna Martin, who was the fourth shooter overall, skated wide up the left side heading to the slot but she pulled the puck back rapidly and tucked it into the left side of the open net. The Griffins tied it up on the next attempt, faking the shot and pulling the puck wide to the left, firing it high into the open cage. MacEwan's Kyrelle Skoye scored on her shot to seal the shoot-out victory. The Queens had to score on their next chance but were denied.

Newcomer Breanna Martin left a positive impression with the Queens coach.

"Breanna scored a beautiful goal in the shoot-out," said Coulter. "I hope she has many years playing with the Queens and I can only see her trending up."

Despite tying the game in the 3rd period, Coulter sees room for the team to improve.

"We have to get more comfortable at defending," said Coulter. "We have to improve at moving the puck and forechecking."

The Queens face the SAIT Trojans at the Enmax Centrium in exhibition action Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:00 p.m. Hockey fans can enter the arena on the north side.