Sutherland and Fox lead Queens to road win over Ooks

Brent Forster - RDC

Edmonton, AB - Queens defender Ashley Sutherland had the hot hand against the NAIT Ooks Friday evening. The second-year Bachelor of Kinesiology student scored in regulation and in the shootout as the Queens dropped the Ooks 2-1 at the NAIT Arena.

Both goalies were unbeatable in the first period.

Then in the middle frame the teams traded goals. Queens forward Camryn Wallan carried the puck into NAIT's zone and found Ashley Sutherland, who blasted it past Ooks goaltender Ashley Smith on the glove side. It was Sutherland's eighth goal and team-leading 18th point. 

Wallan (21)

Moments later, Natsumi Sugimoto tied the game for the Ooks with a point shot past Madison Fox. It was Sugimoto's first Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) goal. The game remained even throughout regulation and two overtime periods.

The shootout was a battle of the goaltenders. Through four shooters it was tied at two goals apiece. Then Sutherland came up big, once again. As the Queens' 11th shooter, she sniped top shelf, over Smith's glove for the winner. 

The two netminders were outstanding and were recognized as the top players on their respective teams. 

Madison Fox made 38 saves (0.974) in the road win. Ashley Smith turned aside 35 shots (0.972).

Fox (33)

Wrapping up the regular season, the second place Queens (15-5-3-0) will host the third seed Ooks (12-9-2-0) on Saturday at 7:00 pm.

The two squads will also face each other in the semi-finals, beginning on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.