BOX SCORE KINGSTON, Ont. (February 17, 2013) - The No. 7 Queen's Gaels closed out their best-of-three series against the Windsor Lancers on Sunday with a 7-1 win, advancing to the OUA semi-final with a two games to one series win. Morgan and Brittany McHaffie (Guelph, Ont.) combined for eight points in the win.

The Gaels scored five times in the second period, including three in less than a three minute span. Brittany McHaffie had a hat-trick while her sister Morgan McHaffie had a five point game with one goal and four assists. 

The Lancers got the first scoring chance of the game when Candace Kourounis (Markham, Ont.) took the puck off the Gaels in the neutral zone and fired a slap-shot from the right face-off dot into the shoulder on Gaels starting net minder Karissa Savage (Calgary) who corralled the puck for the save.

Queen's got a few chances of their own early, Chelsey Verbeek (Beiseker, Alta.) broke in alone but couldn't slip the puck through the legs of Robinson. Brittany McHaffie circled the Lancer net a few minutes later and found Allie Biglieri (Toronto) in front who chipped the puck over Robinson but just wide.

It was Windsor that opened the scoring in the first period as Savage could not find the puck at the side of the goal and a scramble ensued, Caitlin Connell (Edmonton, Alta.) buried the puck as it bounced out in front the Gaels net for a 1-0 lead.

The Gaels closed out the first period with a powerplay after Brittany McHaffie was hauled down on a partial break, but the Gaels couldn't find the back of the net.

The Gaels offence came alive in period number two, only 31 seconds in Pilon and Morgan McHaffie broke in and got the puck in front of the Lancer goal. After a few shots, Brittany McHaffie came into the play at the side of the goal and forced the puck past Robinson to draw even. Morgan and Pilon drew the assists.

Next was Windsor who got a great chance of their own as they attempted to restore their lead when three Lancers broke in on one Gaels defender. With no passes being made, the Lancer shot was handled easily by Savage who deflected the puck over the net.

Courtenay Jacklin (Regina, Sask.) gave the Gaels their first lead of the game a few minutes later. Jacklin broke in on the right wing and wristed a shot on net that Robinson had trouble with. The Lancer goaltender was unable to get a good piece of the shot and the puck slipped by her and into the net. Verbeek added the assist for the Gaels.

With 3:26 remaining in the period a Katie Duncan (Waterloo, Ont.) shot top shelf over the glove of Robinson put the Gaels ahead by two. Morgan and Brittany McHaffie each scored before the period was out to put the Gaels ahead 5-1. Brittany got a great outlet pass from Morgan and faked to her left, stopped, then moved the puck back to the right for the goal. Morgan picked up a loose puck along the boards and potted her first of the game with a rocket over the shoulder of Robinson. The Gaels final three goals of the period came within a 2:57 span.

The Lancers made a goaltender change to start the third period as Kassandra Paone (Port Colborne, Ont.) entered the game for Robinson. The Gaels penalty kill unit was busy to start the final period, as Queen's found themselves shorthanded on two separate occasions in the early going. The Gaels managed to stave off the Lancer attack however, holding their 5-1 lead. Mary Coughlin (Amherstburg, Ont.)  scored her first of the playoffs and Brittany McHaffie completed her hat-trick to close out the game giving the Gaels a 7-1 win.  

Savage made 25 saves for the win, her second in as many days.

With the victory the Gaels move on to the OUA semi-final where they will take on No. 6 Guelph who finished as the second seed in the OUA. The Gryphons will host game one on Wednesday at 7:30PM and game two will be at the Cataraqui Centre in Kingston on Friday night at 7:30PM. Game three if necessary will be on Sunday at 2PM in Guelph.