TORONTO ( February 12, 2012) - A 42 save shutout from
Mel Dodd-Moher of Stittsville, Ont., gave the Queen's Gaels ( 14-9-3) the backstopping they needed to top the No. 10 Toronto Varsity Blues (15-10-1) by a 3-0 score.
The Gaels found consistent offence in this game as they tallied a goal each period en route to the win.
Brittany McHaffie of Guelph, Ont., struck first for Queen's with a power play goal at the 2:59 mark of the first period to set the tone for the game. Despite being outshot 16-13, the Gaels held the Varsity Blues to an 0/4 performance on the power play in the first to head into the intermission with the 1-0 lead.
Katie Duncan of Waterloo, Ont., netted the Gaels their second power play goal of the game in the second period as she took a feed from
Morgan McHaffie of Guelph, Ont., and beat Toronto goaltender Krista Funke of Regina to double the Gaels lead. It was Duncan's second power play goal in as many games as she netted one on Saturday night against the Ryerson Rams. The second period didn't have as much offence between the two teams as the Varsity Blues narrowly outshot the Gaels by a 6-5 margin.
The third period saw the Varsity Blues direct a lot of pucks at Dodd-Moher during their two power play opportunities. The Gaels goaltender was up to the task, as she made 20 saves in the third and final frame. Her performance was enough to give the Gaels the chances they needed at the other end of the rink as Brittany netted her second goal of the game - an unassisted effort - at the 14:08 mark of the third to seal the Gaels victory.
Funke was solid in goal for the Varsity Blues but couldn't match Dodd-Moher save for save. Toronto's netminder stopped 22 of 25 Queen's shots on goal. The Gaels special teams were in fine form on the afternoon, as their penalty killing held Toronto to an 0/7 performance with the power play. Queen's was solid with a Toronto player in the box as the Gaels went 2/5 on the power play.
In addition to Dodd-Moher, the Gaels received solid performances from Brittany and
Morgan McHaffie who combined for three points with Brittany's two goals and Morgan's single assist. They will both finish the season among the top OUA scorers as Morgan led the Gaels with 38 points in 25 games while Brittany recorded 25 points in 23 games.
Taryn Pilon of Peterborough, Ont., and
Mary Coughlin of Amherstburg, Ont., both put the wraps on solid rookie campaigns with points in the season finale. Pilon recorded two power play assists against Toronto while Couglin had a single helper.
The Gaels will now take on the York Lions in the first round of the OUA playoffs.
