WATERLOO, Ont. (February 20, 2015) - With the OUA playoffs just around the corner and still much to be determined on where the standings will shuffle out the Gaels (12-2-7-2) picked up a big 4-1 win at Laurier (10-3-9-2) and more importantly three points in the standings.

The Gaels now sit just two points behind Nipissing for fourth in the OUA and have ensured themselves of an opening round matchup with the Lakers. Should the Gaels defeat Brock in regulation or overtime Queen's would finish fourth and claim home ice advantage. If Brock beats Queen's in any capacity the Gaels will be the road team in their opening series.

GAME FLOW
The Gaels got themselves an early lead just 7:31 into the opening frame against their rivals the Laurier Golden Hawks as Megan Farrell (Barrie, Ont.) was able to sneak a puck past Golden Hawk starter Amanda Smith. Clare McKellar (London, Ont.) tallied the lone assist on the opening goal. The Gaels fired a total of nine shots at Smith in the opening period and were unable to take advantage of their lone power play chance but held a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

In the second the home side kicked up the pressure and got to Gaels starter Caitlyn Lahonen (Saskatoon, Sask.) early in the frame. Just 1:41 into the period Jessica Prevette recorded her sixth goal of the season to even the score at 1-1. Jessica Hurrell picked up her second penalty of the game and the Gaels took advantage. In the late stages of the Gaels power play rookie sensation Katrina Manoukarakis (Scarborough, Ont.) notched her 15th goal of the season and her ninth power play goal on the year to restore the Gaels lead.

The Gaels killed off a four minute Laurier power play chance and headed to the dressing room with a one goal lead.

Queen`s found themselves in more penalty trouble early in the second but the Gaels penalty kill unit was able to stave off a pair of tripping calls in the first 10 minutes. Hurrell made her third visit to the box for the Golden Hawks and Queen`s made her pay as Courtenay Jacklin (Regina) scored her fifth of the year to make it 3-1 Gaels. Jacklin recorded another for good measure into an empty net and the Gaels skated away with a 4-1 win.

Lahonen stopped 29 of the 30 shots she faced to pick up her 14th win on the season.

BY THE NUMBERS
2nd - Manoukarakis has 15 goals which is 2nd in the OUA
1st - In power play goals for Manoukarakis in the OUA with 9, five more than any other player
601 - Saves by Lahonen on the year, most in the OUA
114 - Career points for Taryn Pilon who had two assists. She sits in sixth on the Gaels all-time list, just three points behind Becky Conroy for fifth

UP NEXT
Queen's travels to St. Catharines to take on the Brock Badgers tomorrow afternoon at 2:15pm to close out their regular season play.