Ooks take shootout, Lajeunnesse and Queens remain in second

Brent Forster - RDC

Edmonton, AB - Even though there were several significant swings in momentum, the Red Deer College Queens and NAIT Ooks were even after regulation time and two overtime periods. A three goal performance from Red Deer's Avery Lajeunnesse gave the Queens an opportunity to win, but the Ooks captured a 5-4 shootout decision. The Queens earned three of a possible four points in the crucial weekend series.

When it looked like both sides would enter the first intermission scoreless, the RDC Queens exploded for three goals with 2:33 remaining. Avery Lajeunnesse, a first-year Open Studies student, kept a NAIT clearing attempt in the offensive zone and snapped it past Kaitlyn Slator on the short side. Moments later, a shot from Mary Hirsch was kicked out by Slator's right pad, but a persistent Avery Lajeunnesse deposited the rebound. Only 20 seconds later, Mariah McKersie sped up the right side and cut across the crease, beating the NAIT goalie on the backhand for a 3-0 edge.

McKersie (17)

The home team gained energy in the middle stanza, rattling off three consecutive markers to even the contest 3-3. Michaella Kibblewhite beat former NAIT goaltender, Karlee Fetch, at 4:34. Then Cassidy Shandro struck at even strength and Kibblewhite added a power play marker. With only 31 ticks on the clock, Avery Lajeunnesse scored her hat trick, providing the Queens a 4-3 lead heading into the third. After a dump in off the end boards, Slator mishandled the puck and Lajeunnesse used her speed to find the open cage. 

In the middle of the third period, Brittney Savard tied the game. The Ooks captain corralled a rebound and shoveled it past Fetch. Four-on-four and three-on-three overtime periods solved nothing, forcing a shootout. 

Slator blanked all three Queens' shooters. Brittney Savard and Megan Leblanc scored for NAIT (10-5-1-0), capturing a 5-4 decision. The Queens' one point in the standings bumped them to 22 points. Third place NAIT has 21 points and MacEwan leads the pack with 26.

Avery Lajeunesse and Michaella Kibblewhite were named the top players on their squads.

The Ooks outshot the Queens 30-27.

RDC couldn't connect on three power plays. NAIT went one-for-six.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, the Broncos (3-11-2-0) will entertain the RDC Queens (10-4-2-0) in Olds at 7:00 pm.

Fetch (1), Anderson (9) and Ross (18)