RDC Queens over Broncos 3-2 in Olds, clinch playoff spot

The Red Deer College Queens Hockey team has been playing well on the road lately and that trend continued tonight in Olds. The Queens and Broncos were tied heading into the 3rd period but the Queens showed persistence and picked up a 3-2 road victory. Tracie Kikuchi started in the RDC Queens net while Catalina Hartland was between the pipes for the Olds College Broncos.

On the power play, Bachelor of Education student Kaely McMurtry opened the scoring at 11:38 of the 1st period to give the Queens a 1-0 lead. Julia Murrell picked up the lone assist. 

Broncos forward Tori Chenier tied the game 1-1 at 5:29 of the 2nd period.

At 11:15 of the 3rd period, Cassidy Anderson put the RDC Queens up 2-1 on the power play. Emily Swier and Ashley Graf picked up the assists. In what turned out to be the game winning goal, Morgan Fraser found the back of the net to give RDC a 3-1 lead with 3:52 remaining in the final period. Tori Chenier of the Broncos scored her 2nd goal of the game to narrow the gap 3-2 with 1:45 left in the game. Kikuchi was perfect the rest of the way and the Queens skated to a 3-2 win. The RDC Queens scored on 2-of-6 opportunities with the extra skater.

Chanelle Petrie was named the Queens player-of-the-game.

Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter was happy with the effort.

"It was a solid effort tonight. The Broncos are a team that never quits so it was a battle for the full 60 minutes," said Coulter. "Jade Petrie had a great game along with Jessica Anderson and Julia Murrell. Morgan Fraser led the way with 2 points."

Coulter credited a shorthanded RDC defence.

"It was a very solid effort from our d-corps with only 5 on the back end," said Coulter. "Keinyn Nordell did very well on defence, considering she hasn't played there in almost 3 years."

With the win, the Red Deer College Queens improve to 29 points and retain top spot in ACAC Women's Hockey. The Queens clinched a playoff spot and have an opportunity to defend their ACAC Women's Hockey Championship. Only 3 games remain in the Queens regular season schedule. 

At the ENMAX Centrium on Saturday Feb. 4, the RDC Queens host the Olds College Broncos at 7:30 p.m.