Ooks take rematch over Queens as graduating Fetch celebrated

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – After Friday's contest between the RDC Queens and NAIT Ooks was decided in a shootout, it was no surprise that Saturday's rematch was another close game. Tied in the third period, NAIT's special teams bumped them ahead late and then an empty netter wrapped up a 3-1 road win.

"It feels like playoff hockey already," said Queens Head Coach Kelly Coulter. "It's tough, physical hockey and tonight we came up on the short end of the stick, but I don't think it was for a lack of effort." 

The visitors hit the scoreboard at 17:02 of the first period. Megan Leblanc tested Queens netminder Karlee Fetch from the slot and the rebound deflected off a stick into the net.

In the middle frame, the Queens replied. On the power play, Jenessa Fournier was credited with the equalizer after a strong forecheck. Calgary's Mary Hirsch had the lone assist on Fournier's fifth goal of the season.

Fournier (15)

In the final stanza, the Ooks connected on the power play. With 3:31 remaining, Delaney Martin struck on the glove side, providing the visitors a one goal cushion. Martin's goal turned out to be the eventual game-winner.

Coulter pulled Fetch for the extra attacker. NAIT's Myah Mindus found the vacated net with 45 seconds left and the Ooks picked up a 3-1 decision in the final regular season game.

"They got one bounce there that we'd like to have back, but that's what we expect going into the playoffs with NAIT," said Coulter. "It's always going to be a battle for 60 minutes. It was a good preview."

Fetch made 14 saves. Ooks goalie Kaitlyn Slator turned aside 19 shots.

Jenessa Fournier, a third-year forward from Ponteix, Saskatchewan, was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game.

Delaney Martin received the honour for the Ooks.

Martin and Fournier

The RDC Queens went one-for-four on the power play. The NAIT Ooks clicked once on five opportunities.

The second place Queens (15-6-3-0) will host the third seed Ooks (13-9-2-0) in the best-of-three semi-finals, beginning on Friday. Feb. 28 at 8:00 pm at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

"You got to know your opponent and prepare for your opponent," said Coulter. "It's making sure that it's the small details that we're paying attention to and getting the girls ready, and having 20 people pulling the same way."

The first place MacEwan University Griffins (21-3-0-0) will play the fourth seed SAIT Trojans (7-16-1-0) in the other semi-final series.

Graduating Queen

Fifth-year goaltender Karlee Fetch was recognized prior to the opening face-off, as she's completing her final year in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) competition. 

"Number one, she's a great teammate. Karlee's mature and a student of the game. She's reffing right now, she's helping coach. She brought a real maturity to our dressing room and compete level," said Coulter. "She is a player that has a lot of pride and her work ethic is very good. Karlee set a great example for Madison Fox for what it takes to play at this level. She's been a great addition to our team and it's sad to see her go."

Coulter and Fetch