Germann and Queens rally late, take weekend series over Broncos

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – There were definitely similarities between Saturday's game and the one on Thursday.

The Red Deer College Queens trailed the Olds College Broncos entering the third period, but managed to score twice in the final frame to seal the win. On Saturday, however, the home team added an empty netter and picked up a 3-1 victory.

"I thought it was a solid effort by all 19 players dressed tonight. We had everyone pulling the rope the same way," says Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter. "Once we work hard and work together, and execute, we can be successful against anyone."

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the Broncos broke the deadlock at 13:51 of the second period. With the visitors on a four-on-three power play, third-year forward Karli Frederick redirected a point shot past Queens goaltender Karlee Fetch. 

"Once they get a lead, they are a hard team to penetrate, in terms of generating offence and getting rebounds," states Coulter. "They do a very good job of defending."

At 8:37 of the third, the RDC Queens had a prime opportunity with a five-on-three power play, but the Broncos killed it off. 

"Our power play didn't come through like it did the game before. That was really huge," says Coulter. "Their special teams did come through for them." 

The Queens couldn't connect on six power plays. The Broncos struck once on three opportunities.

That lead held until 7:25 remaining in the third period. Neisha Germann, an RDC Bachelor of Kinesiology student, drew the Broncos' defender to the right, used her as a high screen and snapped it past the stick of Broncos netminder Victoria Eilers. Ashley Sutherland and Tessa Ross recorded the helpers on Germann's fifth goal of the season, and tenth point.

The Queens didn't let up. On the very next shot, Brooklyn Rowley released a laser over the glove of Eilers from the left circle, picking up her fifth. Mariah McKersie had the lone assist.

"Fortunately, we persevered and got some shots on net and maybe one or two surprised their goalie," explains Coulter. "It's never a bad thing to get a puck on net and we got rewarded for it."

B. Rowley (93)

With Eilers pulled, Ashley Sutherland salted away a 3-1 home win with only 20.3 seconds remaining.

Neisha Germann was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game.

"Neisha's had two strong games. She's a veteran player and competes hard every night, and has good leadership qualities," says Coulter. "She has a great shot and I wish she'd use it more in the same situation. Hard work gets rewarded and she's been a very good role model for our young, first-year players."

Karli Frederick received the award for the Broncos.

Fetch stopped 19 out of 20 shots (0.950). Eilers made 23 saves (0.920).

Fetch (1) and Sutherland (7)

On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Olds College Broncos (3-13-2-0) will entertain the NAIT Ooks (10-7-1-0) at 7:00 pm.

The Queens will enter a bye week, but it is welcome at this stage.

"Carissa Hogan is still out with a broken collarbone and it was more of a rest day for Avery (Lajeunnesse). She's got a bit of a tweaked leg, so we thought we'd give her some rest tonight," says Coulter. "With the grind of the season, the games get a lot more physical and intense. Every game is a fight to get into the playoffs, so it's nice to get that rest. We are needing that right now."

The second place RDC Queens (12-4-2-0) are back in action on Friday, Feb. 7, when they host the fourth seed SAIT Trojans (4-11-1-0) at 7:00 pm.