KINGSTON, Ont. - The Queen's Invitational women's hockey tournament kicked off at the Invista Centre in Kingston on Friday afternoon with the Montreal Carabin taking down the McGill Martletts 4-0 followed by the Gaels winning 2-0 over the UBC Thunderbirds. On Saturday McGill picked up a win over Queen's 3-1 and Montreal improved to 2-0 beating UBC 5-1. Sunday UBC defeated McGill 3-2 followed by the Gaels losing to Montreal 7-2 with Queen's finishing the weekend with a 1-2 record. 

Day 3

UBC vs. McGill
Day Three of the Queen's Invitational began early with a 9am puckdrop between UBC and McGill. UBC came into the matchup with an 0-2 record, while McGill sported an even 1-1 record.

The first period saw each team have their fair share of quality chances, but were unable to solve goaltenders Samantha Langford and Brittany Smrke.

Mid-way through the second frame McGill was killing off a penalty, but didn't let that stop their offensive push. Gabrielle Davidson put one past the UBC goaltender to give her team a 1-0 lead with an unassisted, shorthanded marker. Exactly five minutes later, it was UBC with a response as Shiayla Toni tied the game, with assists by Kaylin Snodgrass and Mathea Fischer. The game was all squared at one heading into the final period.

It didn't take long for the scoring to pick up, as UBC's Nicole Saxvik snapped one in for a 2-1 lead. Her second goal of the weekend came just 27 seconds into the third. Just over eight minutes later, it was UBC striking for the third straight time, with a marker from Steph Schaupmeyer. McGill forced the play following the two goal deficit, and put one away three minutes later as Erica Stamino scored to her team within one. McGill called a late timeout with 27 seconds to go, but UBC was able to hold off their opponents and come away with their first win by a score of 3-2. UBC's Langford, was a force to be reckoned with in the game as she was able to turn away 27 of the 29 shots she faced.

Both teams will now head home and continue their exhibition schedule, sporting 1-2 records in this year's tournament.

Queen's vs. Montreal
The final game of the 2015 Queen's Invitational saw a rematch of last year's finale, the Gaels and the Carabins. Coming into the game the Gaels were holding a 1-1 record, while Montreal was sporting their impressive 2-0 record.

Montreal didn't waste any time getting things started, as they scored two goals in the first 2:30 of the game. The first scored by Alexandra Labelle, while the second was put away by Casandra Dupuis, her third of the tournament. The Gaels' goalie Caitlyn Lahonen was very busy in the opening frame, facing 16 shots. The Gaels weren't able to solve Montreal's tender however, firing 10 on net.

The second period started off similar to the first, but this time it was Queen's striking with a goal in the opening couple minutes. Michele Knecht was able to put the Gaels on the board. The Carabins continued to show their offensive prowess as they responded with two quick goals in the second, both scored by Audrey Gariepy, who also tallied an assist on the Dupuis goal. Before the period was over, Montreal added another goal on the board by Jessica Cormier, who also tallied her third point of the game.

The Carabins continued to press early in the final period, as the Gaels had a tough time holding off the 30-plus shots fired on their goal. Lore Baudrit potted the team's sixth goal of the game, and increasing their lead by 5. Just over four minutes later, Gariepy added to her impressive afternoon by scoring her third of the game, completing the hat-trick. The Gaels were finally able to slow down the offensive press, as Jessica Wakefield beat the Montreal goalie to narrow the Carabins lead to five. That's as close as they would get. Montreal completed the weekend with a 7-2 win and a 3-0 record.

The Gaels walk away with a 1-2 record and will hit the ice next Saturday and Sunday, as they travel south the take on Colgate and Syracuse University in New York.

Day 2

UBC vs Montreal
Game two for both UBC and Montreal picked up on Saturday night. On Day one of the tournament, the Carabins topped McGill 4-0, while UBC took the loss to the host Queen's Gaels.

Montreal's offence was on fire from the outset, firing 15 shots on the UBC net in the first period alone. 7:22 into the first Marion Allemoz opened the scoring for Montreal on the powerplay. Ten minutes later they struck with another powerplay marker, this time by Casandra Dupuis.

Just over a minute into the second, Jessica Cormier scored the team's third marker. Allemoz added her second assist of the game and third point of the night on the goal. UBC was given their chances in the middle frame as Montreal sent four players to the penalty box in a span of 10 minutes. Unfortunately for UBC though, they were unable to convert, still down by three going into the third period.

Two minutes into the final frame it was Montreal scoring once again as Valerie St-Onge put it away. Delorme added an assist on the goal, as well as one on the team's fifth goal of the game that came 10 minutes later, scored by Emmanuelle Passard.

UBC finally solved the Carabins goaltender with a late powerplay goal by Nicole Saxvik. It was not only the first goal of the game from UBC, but the first puck to get past goaltender Marie-Par Chabot, who took home a shutout in Friday's 4-0 win.

Chabot ended Day two with 19 stops helping Montreal improve to 2-0 with the 5-1 win over UBC. Each team will have a quick turnaround as UBC will take on McGill at 9am Sunday, and Montreal will face Queen's at Noon.

Queen's vs. McGill
The second day of the 2015 Queen's Invitational was underway as puckdrop at the INVISTA Centre had the Gaels facing off against McGill. 

After a positive start to the weekend with a win against UBC, the Gaels looked to continue their momentum Saturday. Caitlyn Lohonen came away with an impressive shutout in Friday's game, stopping all 34 shots she faced. In Game 2, it was Stephanie Pascal (Sudbury, Ont.) between the pipes.

The first period was an up and down battle, with each team having their fair share of chances. Both goaltenders turned away all the shots they faced, Pascal making 10 stops and McGill's goaltender Brittany Smrke turning away six.

A late penalty by The Gaels Addi Halladay (North Augusta, Ont.) in the 1st, carried over into the opening minute of the 2nd. McGill got right to it as they potted the game's first goal, a powerplay marker by Emily Davies. Not to be outdone by the quick scoring, Halladay was right back on the ice and just 13 seconds later, scored the tying goal. Michele Knecht and Jessica Wakefield added assists on the quick response. A short 30 seconds later, Shana Walker came in and netted another quick response to put McGill up 2-1. An action packed beginning to the 2nd period, three goals just 1:29 into the middle frame. The Gaels had their opportunities on the powerplay to tie things up but were unable to convert, as McGill sent three more to the box in the 2nd.

Down 2-1 going into the 3rd period, the Gaels were still searching for the tying goal. But it was McGill striking again as Marie-Philip Lavoie scored on the powerplay to increase their lead by two.

The Gaels pushed the play, but couldn't solve Smrk and the McGill defence, falling by a score of 3-1. The difference was in the special teams, as Queen's went 0/7 while McGill converted two of their five opportunities. 

With both teams sporting a 1-1 record on the weekend, the Gaels move on to a 12-noon game versus Montreal, while McGill will face UBC for an early 9am matchup Sunday.


Day 1

Queen's vs UBC
The Gaels met UBC for the first time since the final day of the 2013 CIS Championship where UBC topped Queen's to finish fifth. The Gaels were outplayed by UBC in the opening frame as the Thunderbirds outshot Queen's 8-2 in the frame. Gaels starting netminder Caitlyn Lahonen (Sharon, Ont.) held strong between the pipes staving off all eight shots.

In the second Queen's struck first to take the lead. Megan Farrell (Barrie, Ont.) potted the opening goal of the game and Clare McKellar (London, Ont.) added the lone help on the goal which came mid-way through the second. The goal came shortly after UBC had switched their goaltenders who split time during the regular season tune-up. Danielle Dube stopped the only two shots she faced before giving way to Samantha Langford.

Lahonen held strong for Queen's in the third stopping 17 shots the rest of the way and Kyla Crouse (Mount Brydges, Ont.) sealed the win for the Gaels with an empty netter. 

Lahonen finished the night with 34 saves for the win and the shutout for Queen's.

Montreal vs McGill
A rematch of the 2014-15 RSEQ championship saw the Montreal Carabins exact some revenge on their local rivals taking a 4-0 win to open up the 2015 Queen's Invitational tournament. 

In the first period Montreal got on the board on a goal from Audrey Gariepy beating McGill starting netminder Brittany Smrke on a scramble in front of the net. Late in the first period after Alison MacKenzie was called for a two minute interference penalty, the Carabins were able to bang home a puck loose to the right of Smrke for their second on the day. Valerie St-Onge got credit for the Montreal goal and the two teams finished the opening frame with the Carabins up 2-0.

From there, Montreal added another pair of goals in the third period with tallies coming from Cassandra Dupuis and Jessica Cormier and finished off the Martletts winning 4-0. Marie-Pier Chabot got the start in net for Montreal and stopped all 18 shots for the shutout while Smrke finished with 35 saves in the loss for McGill.

Tournament Schedule
Friday
4pm – Montreal 4, McGill 0
7:30pm - Queen's 2, UBC 0

Saturday
4pm - Queen's 1, McGill 3
7:30pm - Montreal 5, UBC 1

Sunday
9am - UBC 3, McGill 2
12pm - Queen's 2, Montreal 7