KINGSTON, Ont. (September 17, 2014) - The women's hockey team hosts Laurier at 7:30pm on Friday, McGill at 7:30pm on Saturday, and Montreal at 3:30pm on Sunday at the Queen's Invitational Tournament this weekend, with all games to be played at the INVISTA Centre.

Although it's still the preseason, this weekend will include rematches of the OUA Championship series, the RSEQ Championship series, and the CIS Championship game, as the Gaels fell to Laurier in three games, while McGill edged Montreal 4-3 in double overtime to claim the national title after Montreal had won the RSEQ title.

Queen's plays Laurier in their first game of the tournament, with the puck drop set for 7:30pm on Friday. As if an OUA Championship rematch needed more fire, Fiona Lester (Peterborough, Ont.), new to the Gaels roster this season, captained Laurier in 2012-13. Amanda Smith is back for her second year as Laurier's goaltender after posting a .936 save percentage last season, good for third in the OUA.

In a warmup for last year's Queen's Invitational, the Gaels met McGill on neutral ice in Smith's Falls, Ontario. Clare McKellar (London, Ont.) and Jessica Wakefield (Lucan, Ont.) picked up assists for Queen's in McGill's 2-1 win. McGill's Gabreille Davidson led the CIS with 28 goals in 2013-14, and returns for just her third year of eligibility.

After Montreal claimed the CIS title in 2012-13, the Gaels picked up a 5-2 win in last year's Queen's Invitational. Michele Knecht (North York, Ont.) netted a pair of goals in the victory, while Shawna Griffin (Readwood Meadows, Alta.), Mary Coughlin (Amherstburg, Ont.), Taryn Pilon (Peterborough, Ont.), and Alisha Sealey (Elora, Ont.) also picked up points for the Gaels. Montreal's Ariane Barker was third in CIS goal-scoring last season, netting 17 during the regular season.

As all four teams finished last season ranked in the CIS top 10, with the Gaels at No.8, Laurier at No.4, McGill at No.2, and Montreal at No.1, the Queen's Invitational Tournament is sure to feature a high caliber of play.


Tournament Schedule

Friday
4pm - McGill vs. Montreal
7:30pm - Queen's vs. Laurier

Saturday
4pm - Montreal vs. Laurier
7:30pm - Queen's vs. McGill

Sunday
12pm - Laurier vs. McGill
3:30pm - Queen's vs. Montreal

Admission is free for all games.