Queens' goaltenders tested in road setback against Griffins

Brent Forster - RDC, with information from Austin Connelly, MacEwan Athletics

Edmonton, AB – The Red Deer College Queens found themselves down a pair of goals in the first period against the MacEwan University Griffins and couldn't fully recover from that deficit. Despite playing even the rest of the contest, the Queens dropped a 5-3 decision at the Downtown Community Arena after facing 48 shots.

MacEwan outshot RDC 20-5 in the first frame and was rewarded with a 2-0 lead courtesy of Jordyn Reimer. She opened the scoring just 4:16 into the first period. Then less than ten minutes later, Reimer sent a wrister past the glove of RDC goalie Karlee Fetch.

The Queens quickly cut the Griffins' lead in half a couple minutes into the second period. Sydney Rowley, a Bachelor of Education Elementary student, fired a shot that fooled MacEwan's netminder Brianna Sank. Brooke Skrypichayko had the lone assist.

The Griffins restored their two-goal lead courtesy of Jesse Rampton, who pounced on a loose puck in the slot nearly half-way into the frame.

The back and forth play continued as the Queens inched closer, responding with a goal from Jenessa Fournier a minute later. Madison Sansom and Mariah McKersie had the helpers.

Before the end of the stanza, Amanda Murray put MacEwan up by two again after a rebound from the side of the net gave her a wide-open cage with 5:22 remaining. Madison Fox took over in the Queens' net.

MacEwan's Jayme Doyle tallied shorthanded at 7:03 into the third and then Ashley Sutherland scored with 31.7 seconds remaining, pulling the Queens within a pair. Mary Hirsch and Avery Lajeunnesse picked up the assists.

Fetch made 23 saves and Fox stopped 20. Sank tossed aside 21 shots in the 5-3 home decision. 

Both teams went zero-for-two on the power play. 

The second place Queens (9-3-1-0) will host the Griffins (12-3-0-0) on Saturday at 7:00 pm at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.