RDC Queens go the Distance in Double-Overtime Playoff Victory

RDC Queens go the Distance in Double-Overtime Playoff Victory

Friday night in Edmonton, the Red Deer College Queens Hockey team kicked off their best of three playoff series versus the MacEwan Griffins. After trailing MacEwan for 40 minutes, the Queens skated away with a 3-2 victory in double-overtime.

Edmonton native Tracie Kikuchi started between the pipes for the RDC Queens and turned away 38 shots while Sandy Heim started in goal for the Griffins, stopping 37 shots.

Grant MacEwan opened the scoring 5:20 into the game with Jordyn Reimer getting one past the Queens' netminder Tracie Kikuchi. The Griffins outshot the Queens 10-8 in the opening period.

Both teams played strong defensively in a goalless second period.  

The Queens came out strong in the third period and scored early to even things up, 1-1. Emily Swier scored at the 34 second mark with Kaely McMurtry notching the lone assist.

Swier scored again at the 7:56 mark to give the Queens their first lead of the game, set up by Ashley Graf.

The Griffins answered back at 13:24 as Sydney Thomlison netted the equalizer that would eventually send the teams to overtime.

One period of overtime wasn't enough to break the tie, and the two teams proceeded to double overtime.  

Kaely McMurtry played the hero, scoring the Queens' third goal at 2:47 into the second OT period. Swier and Suze Vanderlinde had the helpers on the game-winner.

The Queens went 0-for-4 on the power play but also managed to kill off all four of the Griffin's extra attacker opportunities.

Queens Hockey Head Coach Kelly Coulter attributed the team's success to sticking to the game plan and believing in each other to get the job done.

 "Everyone gave 110% effort tonight," said Coulter. "We were very happy with the overall team effort. Tracie Kikuchi had a very good night in the net and made some huge saves."
Forward Kaely McMurtry was named RDC Queen's Player of the Game, tallying one goal and one assist.
The Queens will be in action again Saturday, February 25 versus MacEwan in a matinee match-up in Edmonton, puck drop at 1:00 p.m. The third game of the series, if necessary, will be played in Red Deer Sunday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Enmax Centrium.