Women’s hockey picks up points in opening matches, and men’s hockey drops a decisive contest in Queen’s Cup rematch.

Women’s hockey collects points in both weekend games

The women’s hockey team kicked off 2020 with a tough 4-3 overtime loss to the Laurentian Voyagers.

The Gaels started strong, with Athlete of the Week Alex Maw scoring just 12 seconds in. Not long after, Devon Greenough found the back of the Laurentian net to give the Gaels a strong grip on the game. The first period ended with Gaels up 2-0.

However, it quickly became a tie game when Laurentian netted two fast goals in the second. Determined to regain the lead, Queen’s Nicole Posesorski sniped one from the point. Queen’s went into the third with a 3-2 lead.

A last-minute goal by the Voyagers sent the game to overtime, where they would put the game away just three minutes in.

The tough loss left the Gaels motivated to end their weekend on a high-note. On Saturday, they faced off against the Nipissing Lakers, who they’d beaten 2-1 earlier in the season. Two goals late in the first period by Emma McKnight and Alex Maw sent the Gaels to the dressing room with another two-goal lead.

Looking to avoid déjà vu from Friday’s game, the Gaels put on an impressive defensive performance, allowing only one goal by the Lakers, eventually taking the game 2-1.

The three-point weekend was a strong way to continue their season. The Gaels are now 8-5-1-1, and will look to bag another win this Friday against the Western Mustangs.

Queen’s Cup rematch results in rough loss for Gaels

Wednesday night’s match-up between Queen’s and Guelph had little resemblance to the pair’s previous meeting in the conference finals, where the Gaels came away with a 4-1 win.

This game saw the Gryphons take a two-goal lead after the first period and hijack the game from then on. The Gaels were unable to capitalize on a few power play opportunities and Gryphons scored three goals later in the second period to head to the dressing room with a five-goal lead.

Midway through the third, the Gaels finally found their footing and netted two goals off the sticks of Alex Row and Graeme Brown. It proved to be too little, too late, and after three more goals by the Gryphons, the Gaels found themselves engulfed by an 8-2 Guelph lead. 

The loss dropped Queen’s record to 7-10-1. Despite the lopsided score, the statistics were relatively comparable, with Queen’s getting away 30 shots compared Guelph’s 37. The two teams also received seven penalties each in this chippy match.

The Gaels will look to put themselves back in the playoff picture this weekend as they host the Carleton Ravens (16-3-1) and Nipissing Lakers (7-10-1).