Trojans capitalize on bounces, edge Queens at RDC

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – The RDC Queens didn't get any lucky breaks Saturday evening. The visiting SAIT Trojans had a couple of fortunate bounces go their way and they capitalized. The Trojans edged the Queens 3-2 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. 

Less than two minutes from the drop of the puck, the RDC Queens hit the scoresheet. Abby Fonteyne's point shot was blocked by a SAIT defenceman, but the puck found Jessi-Lynn Sumaling in the slot. The second-year Bachelor of Arts Psychology student fired it past Trojans netminder Cassidy Brown's glove. Madison Sansom had the other assist after some hard work in the corner. 

Jessi-Lynn Sumaling (19) 

Thirty-six seconds into the second period the Trojans scored the tying goal. On the power play, a Queens' clearing attempt hit a body in front and ended up behind RDC goaltender Madison Fox. Emma Wheeldon was credited with the unassisted goal.

With only 0.1 seconds left in the stanza, SAIT capitalized on the power play again. From an unpredictable bounce off the boards, the puck squirted out front to Emma Wheeldon who shoveled it across the line, giving the visitors a one goal edge (2-1).

"They got some interesting bounces, and good on them, they were able to put them in the net," says Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter.  

Less than five minutes into the third period the Trojans added another marker. From the top of the circle, captain Tashel Scantelbury wired a shot past Fox's glove.

The RDC Queens' power play went to work moments later, reducing the deficit. On the Queens' 21st shot, Avery Lajeunnesse corralled a puck that ricocheted off the post, and deposited it behind Brown's outstretched stick. Camryn Wallan picked up the lone helper. 

Fox was pulled for the extra attacker with a couple minutes remaining, but the home team couldn't find the equalizer. The Trojans skated to a 3-2 road win.

Coulter credited SAIT's defensive play.

"The Trojans did a good job of shutting us down offensively," he says. "I didn't think we had too many scoring chances and when we did, their goalie was pretty solid." 

The Queens outshot the Trojans 30-13.

Madison Fox (33)

Jessi-Lynn Sumaling was recognized as the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. Emma Wheeldon received the award for the Trojans.

One RDC line stood out for Coulter along with a pair of first-year blue liners.

"I thought Jenessa Fournier and the Rowley twins line was really good. They put a lot of pressure on with the forecheck," he says. "Abby Fonteyne and Brooke Skrypichayko on the back end did a very good job. They haven't played a lot, so I thought they did well back there tonight."

The RDC Queens went one-for-three on the power play. The SAIT Trojans were successful on two out of seven tries. 

As conference play wraps up for the semester, the student-athletes will prepare for the final week of classes and then exams.

"The focus will be on schooling," says Coulter. "They are trying to balance school and being a student-athlete and other things in their lives, so it will just be nice for them to focus on the student part right now."

The team will next hit the ice in exhibition play. The Queens will face-off against the Northern Alberta Extreme on Saturday, January 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. 

On Friday, January 10, the RDC Queens (9-2-1-0) will compete against the MacEwan University Griffins in Edmonton at 7:00 p.m. as the regular season continues.

Mariah McKersie (17)