KINGSTON, Ont. (January 30, 2016) - The Gaels (9-1-5-2) were unable to hold back the high-powered the No.1 CIS ranked Guelph Gryphons (13-3-2-1) on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-0 at home.

Prior to the opening faceoff, Queen's honoured their senior class of players in a special ceremony. Danielle Girard (Sarnia, Ont.), Taryn Pilon (Peterborough, Ont.), Courtenay Jacklin (Regina, Sask.), Alisha Sealey (Elora, Ont.), Caitlyn Lahonen (Saskatoon, Sask.), and Mary Coughlin (Amherstburg, Ont.) were all on honoured prior to puck drop. The Gaels came into the game tied for fourth in the OUA with Toronto.

MUST SEE - Gaels WHKY goaltender @CaitlynLahonen with a great glove save on a shorthanded rush from Guelph pic.twitter.com/QoF6D6C02c

— Queen's Gaels (@queensgaels) January 30, 2016

Game Flow
It was a very fast paced and up and down opening frame between the two teams. Guelph had the majority of the offensive zone pressure through the first 10 minutes. 12 minutes in, the Gryphons were handed a four-minute double minor and another two minute tripping call, giving the home team a key power-play opportunity. The Gaels were unable to capitalize, defending some tough shorthanded chances by the visitors.

The game remained scoreless after 20 minutes as each team searched for the opening goal of the game. The Gryphons had Queen's on their heels for most of the second and were able to take the lead just 1:07 in, on a quick breakaway chance by Averi Nooren. Nooren was the Achilles heel last time these two met, scoring a hat-trick. Nine minutes in, they doubled their lead on a close rebound chance in front of Lahonen. With a few chances late, the Gaels were unable to get sustained pressure in the Gryphons zone and trailed 2-0 heading into the third.

The fast-paced game continued into the final 20, both teams getting chances early on. Just over 10 minutes into the period, Ashlee Lawrence took advantage of a Gaels turnover and scored on her breakaway chance. Down 3-0, Queen's looked to chip away at their deficit. In the final seven minutes they had a few solid chances on a power-play, but were unable to convert. Guelph's Valerie Laments earned the shutout and the 3-0 win.

By the Numbers
1 & 2 - Lamenta and Lahonen sit first and second respectively in both GAA and SV% in the OUA
18 - shots on net by Queen's, to Guelph's 29
16 - penalty minutes called in the game
31 - points on the year for the Gaels

Up Next
Queen's will be the host to UOIT (4-1-13-1) for another matinee game at the Memorial Centre. The last time the teams met in November, the Gaels topped the Ridgeback 5-1.