NAIT over Hockey Queens 2-1 in Edmonton

Less than twenty-four hours after the Red Deer College Queens Hockey team faced the NAIT Ooks at the Enmax Centrium, the venue switched to the NAIT Arena Friday evening. Kinesiology and Sport Studies student Tracie Kikuchi got the start in net for the Queens. Karlee Fetch was in goal for the Ooks. It was another close game, with NAIT scoring with over a minute remaining in the 3rd period to pick up the win.

At 4:03 into the game the NAIT Ooks struck first with traffic in front of Kikuchi. From the top of the right circle Livia Lucova scored on a high wrist shot to the glove side. 

The Queens resonded two minutes seven seconds later on the power play. Julia Wing started the play from the point, passing the puck to Ashley Graf on the left side. Red Deer native Jade Petrie one-timed a cross ice pass from Graf into the open cage to tie the game.

The period wound down with both sides tied at one. NAIT outshot the Queens 11 to 9 in the opening period. 

There was no scoring in the 2nd period. The Ooks had 16 shots in the 2nd period, while the Queens had 7. 

The Queens pressure NAIT in their zone for long periods in the 3rd period but couldn't beat Fetch. The RDC Queens were called on a late penalty and the NAIT Ooks capitalized on the power play. With 1:35 left in the 3rd period NAIT's Carlin Boey scored the go ahead goal to give the Ooks a 2-1 lead. Moments later Kikuchi was pulled in favour of the extra attacker but time wound down for a 2-1 final.

The Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter identified aspects of play in both zones that need improvement.

"We have to continue working on exiting the defensive zone more effectively," said Coulter. "We also have to become more engaged on the forecheck and attack."

Several Queens stood out for Coulter in the team's first regular season road game of the year.

"Bre Martin had a strong game on the wing as a rookie," said Coulter. "Kikuchi was strong in net and made several key saves. Swier and Petrie also stood out tonight and played well."

The Queens outshot NAIT 9 to 6  in the 3rd period. Final shots were 33-25 in favour of NAIT. The RDC Queens scored on one-of-three power plays while the Ooks converted on one-of-six opportunities.

Ashley Graf was named the Queens player-of-the-game. Kikuchi was solid in net stopping nearly 94% of the shots fired her way. 

The Queens next play at the Enmax Centrium Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7:00 p.m. against the Olds College Broncos. This is also "Pink in the Rink" night where funds raised will help fight women's cancer. There are several sponsors for this event and you may win a prize for wearing pink to the game.