BOX SCORE KINGSTON, Ont. (January 19, 2013) The No. 5 Queen's Gaels women's hockey team (16-2-2) was in action Saturday evening at the Memorial Centre against the Toronto Varsity Blues (11-8-1) in their lone match of the weekend. The Gaels took an early lead but the Varsity Blues scored with 40 seconds left in the final frame to force overtime, which solved nothing. After a scoreless extra frame Toronto was able to upset Queen's scoring with their fifth shooter.
 
The Gaels were dominate right from the puck drop, commanding offensive possession of the puck throughout most of the first period with the Varsity Blues only mustering under a minute of offensive possession in the first. The Gaels found themselves on three power-plays in the first frame and were able to capitalize on one, with winger Chantal Morais (Guelph, Ont.) completing the mechanical tic-tac-toe pass from Shawn Griffin (Calgary) and captain Kristin Smith (Toronto). Queen's found themselves in another five-on-four opporunity late but was unable to capitalize with Toronto goalkeeper Nicole Kesteris (Aurora, Ont.) denying some quality scoring opportunities—the Gaels outshot the Blues 13-5 in the first.
 
Opening the second with a series of consecutive power-plays, Queen's was unable to take advantage and found themselves in their own end through the opening minutes of the frame. Gaels goaltender Melanie Dodd-Moher (Ottawa) was key for the tricolour during these pressure opportunities turning away two key two-on-one opportunities from the Blues. Late in the second the Gaels were being pressured deep in their zone where Dodd-Moher again was able to keep the Blues score sheet clean, helping Queens maintain their lead heading into the final period. With under a minute left and on their eighth power-play of the game Queen's was able to beat Kesteris, however the Gaels were called for having a player in the crease and the goal was called off. Queen's still had a minute advantage going into the third; however the shots were even at 15 after two periods of play.
 
With a power-play advantage in the opening minute of the third period the Gaels were able to apply some pressure and momentum that they had lost during the second. This was short lived however, as Toronto was quickly able to regain their offensive pressure firing a series of scoring opportunities on Dodd-Moher throughout the final period. The Gaels fourth-year tender turned away all shots in her path, playing a pivotal role in her team's position in the game. Queen's found some offensive productivity late in the third while on the power-play, recording three credible scoring chances. Both teams exchanged scoring chances in the remaining minutes until Toronto was able to find the back of the net from a scramble in front of the net with 40 seconds on the clock and an empty goal. The goal from Blues forward Callie Bazak (Peterborough, Ont.) forced the game into overtime.
 
In overtime the Gaels found themselves on the man advantage early, however it was short lived with Queen's forward Brittany McHaffie recording her third penalty of the game, giving the Blues a minute advantage. Neither team was able to find any real offensive flow in the overtime period despite a few power-play opportunities—forcing a shoot-out decision.
 
In the shoot-out Toronto's fifth shooter Courtney Tougas (Thunderbay, Ont.) was able to beat Dodd-Moher and end the game in the Blues favour. Despite a valiant effort from the Gaels and Dodd-Moher, who stopped a total 17 of Toronto's 18 shots, the Gaels could not find an answer for Kesteris in the shoot-out.
 
The Queen's Gaels women's hockey team looks to continue their push for first place in the OUA as they open a two game road trip beginning on Saturday, against Guelph. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m.