KINGSTON, Ont. (January 18, 2011) – With three wins in their last five games, the Queen's Gaels men's hockey team will look to continue their strong play in 2011 as they face off against the RMC Paladins tonight at the Kingston Memorial Centre.

Puck drop is set for 8:30 pm.

The Gaels (8-10-2), who are in a tight race for a playoff spot, are currently tied for seventh in the OUA East division with the Toronto Varsity Blues. Both teams have 18 points but thanks to two wins over Toronto since the holiday break, the Gaels hold the tiebreaker between the two teams.

Meanwhile, RMC (2-18-1) has all but been eliminated from playoff contention as the Paladins trail Queen's and Toronto by 13 points with only seven games remaining in their schedule. A loss tonight to the Gaels will officially end their playoff aspirations.

Tonight's game will be the second meeting of the season between Queen's and RMC with the Gaels taking the opener 6-1 back on January 6. Five different Gaels had multi-point games in that contest and David Aime of Clandeboye, Man., turned aside 22 of 23 shots to pick up the win. The win gave Queen's their second consecutive win over the Paladins and since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the Gaels hold an 8-1-2 record against RMC.

Jonathon Lawrance of Steinbach, Man., figures to be a prominent player in tonight's game as the Gaels captain has recorded points in five of his team's last six games. During that stretch, Lawrance has recorded two goals and five assists, including scoring the overtime winner in Queen's last game against Toronto.

RMC's Landon Lavictoire of Kirkland Lake, Ont., will be the focus of the Gaels defenders tonight as the third year forward has three goals and eight assists in the Paladins last eight contests.