Griffins earn weekend split over Queens in Edmonton

Brent Forster - RDC

The Red Deer College Hockey Queens competed against the MacEwan University Griffins on the road, and while the Queens had a strong effort they couldn't solve the Griffins goaltender Saturday evening.

Tracie Kikuchi started in goal for the Queens while Natalie Bender was at the other end for the Griffins.

Raylene Emerson opened the scoring for MacEwan University at 15:51 of the first period. The Queens fired 6 shots at Bender and the Griffins tested Kikuchi 7 times in the opening 20 minutes.

Both goaltenders were sharp in the second period and neither team could score. RDC outshot MacEwan University 7-6. 

Down by a goal in the third period, Queens Hockey Head Coach Kelly Coulter pulled Kikuchi with 2 minutes remaining for the extra skater but the Griffins capitalized on the open cage. Shyla Jans scored with 1:46 left in the game to jump ahead 2-0 and the Griffins picked up the home win. The Queens had 4 shots and the Griffins directed 10 pucks on net in the third. 

The Queens killed off both of the Griffins' power plays.

Coulter liked the tempo but a lack of execution with the man advantage was a difference maker. "It was a good paced game tonight. We had a solid effort, unfortunately it wasn't the result that we wanted," said Coulter. "Our power play couldn't connect which hurt us. Tracie Kikuchi had a solid game in net, as did many of our veteran players." The Queens went 0-for-4 on their power play.

Julia Murrell was named the player-of-the-game for the RDC Queens. 

The Queens (10-5-2-0) remain in third spot in the standings with 22 points and will host the Olds College Broncos on Thursday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the ENMAX Centrium.