Anderson strikes on the power play, Kikuchi and Queens shutout Ooks

Brent Forster - RDC

Thursday evening, the Red Deer College Queens Hockey team finished the game strongly against the NAIT Ooks and that momentum carried over into the rematch on Friday in Edmonton. The Queens worked hard, played well defensively and earned a 1-0 road victory.

Tracie Kikuchi started in goal for the RDC Queens and was strong once again. Karlee Fetch was in net for the Ooks.

In the opening period, both goaltenders were perfect. NAIT tested Kikuchi, a Kinesiology & Sport Studies student, 7 times while RDC fired 5 shots at Fetch. 

The second period featured another solid defensive and goaltending performance. Neither team could score and Kikuchi turned aside 9 shots while Fetch stopped 6 attempts from the Queens.

At 4:47 of the third period, Cassidy Anderson, a Bachelor of Business Administration student, broke the scoreless tie when she beat Fetch on the power play to put the Queens up 1-0. Kaely McMurtry, from Port Coquitlam, and Kirsten Baumgardt, from Innisfail, picked up the assists. NAIT pulled Fetch with 21 seconds remaining but couldn't score the equalizer and the Queens earned a 1-0 road victory. The Ooks directed 8 more shots on net in the final 20 minutes, but Kikuchi was strong and couldn't be beaten on the night. The Queens had 4 shots on Fetch. Over 60 minutes, Kikuchi turned aside all 24 of NAIT's shots while Fetch stopped 14 out of 15 of RDC's attempts. 

Special teams were strong for the Queens as they connected on 1-of-3 power plays and effectively killed off all 3 of the Ooks' advantages. 

Queens Hockey Head Coach Kelly Coulter was happy with the effort and result. "It was a much better effort tonight," said Coulter. "All twenty Queens played well and they made the correct adjustments in the rematch that we asked them to."

The RDC Queens have a bye week and they will next compete against the Olds College Broncos on Thursday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Olds. The Queens (12 points) will host the Broncos (6 points) on Saturday, November 18 at the NexSource Centre in Sylvan Lake at 7:00 p.m.