Queens edged in shoot-out

Over the past few seasons, the Red Deer College Queens Hockey team and NAIT Ooks have been involved in several close games and tonight was no exception. Trailing 4-3 in the third period, the Queens tied the game to send it into overtime. When no winner was decided in the extra frame, NAIT eventually won the game in the shoot-out. 

Tracie Kikuchi played in goal for the Queens while Karlee Fetch was in net for NAIT.

Kaely McMurtry opened the scoring for the Queens 1:22 into the opening period. Chanelle Petrie and Kailey Butz picked up the assists. NAIT tied the game at 4:49 on a goal by Veronika Kuzelova. Hannah Fouillard put the Ooks up 2-1 with 9:32 left in the period. NAIT then went up 3-1 at 17:27 when Montana Kitt found the back of the net. As the period was winding down, Cassidy Anderson put the Queens within a goal with 39 seconds left. Jade Petrie and Ashley Graf picked up the assists.

On the power play in the second period, Veronika Kuzelova put NAIT up 4-2 at 14:07. The Queens struck back when Kaely McMurtry beat Fetch on the power play with 3:06 remaining in the middle period to make it a 4-3 game. Julia Murrell and Julia Wing picked up the helpers.

Fifty seconds into the third period, Emily Swier scored shorthanded to tie the game 4-4. Time wound down with both sides even, so the game headed to a five minute 3-on-3 overtime period. There were chances at both ends with the open ice but both goaltenders were perfect. The game went to the shoot-out. Queens forward Breanna Martin scored a nice goal faking the backhand, pulling the puck quickly to her forehand and burying it into the open cage. After goals at both ends, NAIT eventually scored the go-ahead goal for the shoot-out win.

Kaely McMurtry was named the Queens player-of-the-game. The RDC Queens were successful on 1-of-3 power play opportunites while NAIT connected on 1-of-6 chances with the extra skater.

Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter thought the student-athletes gave a solid effort.

"The Queens battled hard through a lot of adversity tonight," said Coulter. "Every player gave a strong effort on the ice. Kaely McMurtry had a good game, scoring two goals."

Tied for second with the MacEwan Griffins in ACAC Women's Hockey with 12 points, the Queens have also played one fewer game and hold a 6-3 record. The RDC Queens next play on the road Saturday, Nov. 19 against the MacEwan University Griffins at 6:00 p.m.