KINGSTON, Ont. (February 15, 2012) – After climbing back from a 3-0 deficit the No. 10 Gaels could not overtake the York Lions, whose penalty shot marker in the third period was the difference maker in game one of the best of three OUA playoff series.

Mel Dodd-Moher of Stittsville, Ont. got the start for the Gaels and turned away 25 shots while Megan Lee of Orillia, Ont. made 32 saves for the Lions in the win. Queen's was led by Morgan McHaffie of Guelph, Ont. who had a three point night scoring once and adding two assists. The Lions Chloe Milano of Maple, Ont. had one goal and one assist to lead York.

The first period saw the Lions as the first to strike while on the man-advantage. After nearly all of the two minutes being killed off by the Gaels penalty killers, York managed to keep traffic in front of Dodd-Moher allowing Milano to score her first goal of the playoffs at the 6:18 mark of the first period.

Minutes later, the Gaels Alana Smith of Aurora, Ont. brought the puck up ice and nearly found Gaels captain Kristin Smith of Toronto for the equalizer. York quickly recovered, getting the puck into the Gaels zone and Kimberly Ramcharan of Mississauga, Ont. made it 2-0 for the Lions on an unassisted goal at the midway point of the first.

Queen's closed out the period with seven shots on goal compared to the Lions 11.

The second period started off in the Lions favour after Lee made multiple saves on the Gaels forwards. York then used the momentum on offense to make it 3-0 4:08 into the second period on a goal from Sudbury, Ont. native Rebecca Bond.

The Gaels responded just over four minutes later after a shot from Alexandria Biglieri of Toronto found its way through the pads of Lee, Alana managed to sneak behind the Lions keeper to knock the puck in the open cage.  Morgan added the second assist. After a Lions penalty the Gaels quickly struck again on a powerplay goal from Brittany McHaffie of Guelph, Ont. set up by Alex Cieslowski of Oakville, Ont. and sister Morgan. The Gaels outshot the Lions 17-10 in the period.

In the third period Morgan evened the game at 3-3 as she broke down the left wing late in her shift. The Guelph native fired a harmless wrist shot on goal that fooled Lee who could not get enough of the puck allowing it to slowly find its way to the back of the net.

Despite a Gaels powerplay the Lions would regain their lead. After being hauled down on a shorthanded break, Katrina Tollis of Hamilton, Ont. was awarded a penalty shot. The forward faked a shot and went to her backhand to beat Dodd-Moher giving York a 4-3 lead. The goal ended up as the difference maker and the York Lions secured the victory.

Queen's finished with 35 shots and went one for six on the powerplay on teh night. The Lions were one for four adding 29 shots.

The Gaels will now travel to York for game number two of the best of three series on Friday. Puck drop is set for 7pm.