Murrell scores twice, Kresic earns win in net for Queens

Brent Forster - RDC

The Red Deer College Queens weren't pleased with their overall effort Thursday at home, but as the venue shifted to Olds on Friday the Queens were determined to change that. After the Broncos struck first on the power play, a persistent RDC squad responded with three straight goals for the victory. 

Ariana Kresic was excellent on Thursday in the Queens' net and the Kinesiology & Sport Studies student from Edmonton earned another start in goal. Jaydlin Spooner also received consecutive starts for the Broncos after a solid outing in Red Deer. 

The Queens tried to apply pressure early and often in the first period. They outshot the Broncos 14-8 over 20 minutes but both goaltenders shut the door.

At 6:10 of the second period, Cassidy Holt put the Broncos on the board on the power play. The RDC Queens quickly responded. Emily Lougheed beat Spooner at 8:34 after being set up by Neisha Germann and Cassidy Anderson. Before the end of the period, the Queens would take the lead. With 2:20 remaining, Julia Murrell connected on the power play to give RDC a 2-1 lead. Shelby Ballan picked up the lone assist. RDC outshot Olds College 7-3 in the middle frame.

At 9:32 of the third period, Murrell, a fifth-year forward from Edmonton, scored her second of the game to give the Queens a 3-1 cushion. Cassidy Anderson and Shelby Ballan recorded their second assists of the game. Kresic and the Queens earned a 3-1 road victory. It was the first Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) win in goal for Ariana Kresic. The RDC Queens peppered Spooner with 18 shots in the third period. Olds College responded with 2 shots on Kresic. Over three periods, the Queens outshot the Broncos 39-13 and earned three out of a possible four points in the standings over the two game set. 

The Queens went 1-for-11 on the power play and the Broncos connected on 1-of-6 of their opportunities with the extra skater.

Queens Hockey Head Coach Kelly Coulter was very happy with the performance and result. "It was a much better effort by all twenty players. Julia Murrell led the way with a two goal performance," said Coulter. "Our penalty killers were excellent tonight and Ariana shut the door in the last two minutes when Olds pulled their goaltender."

The third place Red Deer College Queens (11-5-3-0) will face the second place NAIT Ooks (13-2-1-0) in a rescheduled matchup, Sunday, January 28 at 8:45 p.m. at Kin City A.