Rowley sisters combine in overtime, help first place Queens down Broncos

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – The visiting Olds College Broncos made the RDC Queens work for the two points Saturday evening. The Broncos trailed by a pair, but eventually evened the contest late in the third. Then the Rowley sisters took over. In the second overtime period, Sydney set up sibling Brooklyn, and the Queens wrapped up a 3-2 victory.

Not long after the two sides hit the ice, the Queens took an early advantage. Only 20 seconds in, Neisha Germann beat Broncos goaltender Lexi Bruce for a quick 1-0 edge. Camryn Wallan and Tyra Anderson set up the marker.

Neisha Germann (23)

RDC kept the pressure on and was rewarded. First-year forward Sydney Rowley found space behind Bruce at 7:07. The tally was her first goal in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

In the middle frame, Olds College pulled within one on the power play. At 13:44, Sarah Jarvis converted a Brianna Marsh pass behind Queens goaltender Karlee Fetch.

The home side held the one goal advantage until late in the third. With 3:01 remaining, Brynne Doerksen evened the contest, eventually sending it to overtime.

Anderson (9), Wallan (21), Germann (23)

After five minutes of four-on-four couldn't produce a winner, the game was finalized quickly in the second overtime. While three-on-three, Sydney Rowley spotted her sister Brooklyn Rowley alone in front, who quickly fired the winner past Bruce on the stick side.

"It was nice to see the twins get rewarded for their hard work. They haven't seen a lot of ice time, so it was nice to see them put that goal in the net to give us the two points. We knew offensively, they are tenacious on the puck," says Kelly Coulter, Queens Head Coach.

"They have good attitudes and are willing to learn. They are understanding that they are getting opportunities to play in the game, and opportunities to learn the game. They are everything we expected them to be. I think they will be great players in the league in the future."

The RDC Queens outshot the Olds College Broncos 25-16.

While Coulter didn't think it was the Queens' most polished effort of the season, he was grateful for the two points. 

"Our puck management and some execution, especially making some small passes, were a little bit off tonight," he says. "I think that's where we need better habits. It starts in practice, so we can execute in games. We were fortunate to get the win."

RDC couldn't connect on seven power plays and killed off four out of five penalties.

Brooklyn Rowley was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. Brynne Doerksen received the honour for the Broncos.

It was also a game where many of the Queens' parents were in the stands, cheering on their daughters.

"It's great to have the parents here. It's always nice to see the players be able to play in front of their parents," says Coulter. "They delivered the four points and I hope they have a great weekend with their parents."

On Friday, November 29, the first place RDC Queens (8-1-1-0) will challenge the SAIT Trojans (1-7-0-0) in Calgary at 7:00 p.m.

The Olds College Broncos (1-7-2-0) will host the NAIT Ooks (7-3-0-0) on Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Jenessa Fournier (15)