Hirsch and Queens down Trojans

Brent Forster – RDC

Red Deer, AB – The RDC Queens never trailed at home against the SAIT Trojans, and with the help of two points from Mary Hirsch, the Queens defeated the Trojans 4-2 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, taking both games in the weekend series. 

The RDC Queens hit the scoresheet early. Only 4:28 into the first period, Kirsten Baumgardt beat Elisha Oswald to give the Queens a lead. Mary Hirsch earned the lone assist.

About midway through the period, Keinyn Nordell and Kaitlan Linnell set up Mary Hirsch, helping the RDC Queens go up a pair. Less than two minutes later, SAIT's Paige Halderman reduced the gap to a single goal.

Only 1:48 into the middle frame, Veronika Bucifalova skated up the left side and snapped one by Oswald to restore the two goal lead. Just over a minute later, Kelsey Patterson brought SAIT back within a goal (3-2).

At 5:03 into the third, Kaely McMurtry used her speed up the right side and sniped one past Oswald in the top corner, and as time eventually expired the Queens earned a 4-2 victory.

Kaely McMurtry (6) Colby Brochu Photography

Kelly Coulter, Queens Head Coach, liked several aspects of the Queens' game. "Through the weekend we had a little bit better net presence. Those are the goals we scored for the most part," says Coulter. "Kaely had another nice goal tonight. In our league you have to get to the net and those dirty areas, and we did a better job of that tonight. We managed the puck better, and our transition improved - we attacked with more speed against this team." 

Colby Brochu Photography

The RDC Queens are adjusting to the wider ice. "It has taken some time to get used to the ice surface and make the puck do the work rather than chasing it. It is slowly coming along," says Coulter. "There are still some things that we need to incorporate in our game on a consistent basis, and when we do those things we are more successful. It's beautiful ice to work on and I love to see the girls skate, and the defencemen rush the puck like they can."

Mary Hirsch, a Bachelor of Science Nursing student, was selected as the Queens Player-of-the-Game and she used her speed against the Trojans. "Mary is a smart player. I think that you will see her grow exponentially with her experience in this league. She is very receptive and easy to coach," says Coulter. "She has a great attitude and it is nice to see her on the scoresheet - at the net working hard, and she gets rewarded. It's a pleasure to have her on the team."

Mary Hirsch (24)  Photo - Tony Hansen

On Friday, November 16, the RDC Queens (4-4) will challenge the NAIT Ooks (8-2) in Edmonton at 7:00 p.m.