Trojans edge Queens in shootout, RDC earns one point

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB - In a game where sixty minutes of regulation time and two overtime periods couldn't solve a winner, the SAIT Trojans shaded the Red Deer College Queens 2-1 in a shootout at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. 

The game was highlighted by strong defensive play and solid goaltending. After 40 minutes, both Karlee Fetch and Elisha Oswald were unbeatable. Queens' goaltender Fetch stopped 13 shots and Trojans' netminder Elisha Oswald made 16 saves over two periods. 

Karlee Fetch (1) Colby Brochu Photography

When it looked like the scoreless game could go to overtime, Sydnee Decorby beat Oswald to give the Queens a 1-0 edge with 5:07 remaining. Jenessa Fournier and Catherine Longchamps had the helpers. As time was ticking down, Oswald went to the bench for an extra Trojans' skater and Karmen Mooney found the back of the net to knot the contest 1-1 with 21 seconds left. 

Mariah McKersie (17) Colby Brochu Photography

"We wanted to keep pucks to the outside but SAIT did a good job of driving those pucks in," says Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter. "We wanted to execute better on that but credit to SAIT - they were able to tie it up late. It is something that we need to get better at."

Five minutes of four-on-four overtime and five minutes of three-on-three didn't produce a winner so the game headed to a shootout. 

After the first shooter, Kelsey Patterson, scored blocker side on Fetch, Queens' forward Jessi-Lynn Sumaling evened it up with a tally of her own. The first-year from Winnipeg went wide on Oswald and tucked it in low on the glove side. The next two shooters from each team were thwarted by the goaltenders. Then in round four, Scotia Bellavance of the Trojans scored which put pressure on the RDC shooter. Oswald turned the final shot aside and the SAIT Trojans picked up the road decision. The Queens earned one point in the standings. 

Kirsten Baumgardt (10) Colby Brochu Photography

"I thought that it was a much better 60 minute effort tonight, which is what we have been trying to stress to the girls," says Coulter. "We felt last weekend, we played some good hockey but not a full 60 minutes. Tonight was a good effort and being a little short on the bench, I thought that everyone gave a solid effort from Karlee out." 

Catherine Longchamps was named the Queens Player-of-the-Game, with one assist and a strong defensive effort. Scotia Bellavance received the honour for the Trojans, scoring the shootout winner. 

"Catherine can play any kind of game. She can play a physical game, an offensive game - she's a very good defender," says Coulter. "I think that her leaving us next year will leave a huge hole and it will be hard to replace her. Not only is she a great player, but she is a great kid as well. We will miss her next year but it has been a pleasure to have her."

Both groups of penalty killers were perfect. The RDC Queens stopped all five of the Trojans' advantages and SAIT halted all six of RDC's power plays. 

On Saturday in Calgary, the SAIT Trojans (4-11-0-0) will face-off against the third place RDC Queens (5-8-2-0) at 7:00 p.m.