KINGSTON, Ont. (February 23, 2018) - The No.8 Queen's Gaels were undone by the special teams of the Waterloo Warriors on Friday night falling 2-0 in game two of their best of three series.
Waterloo was able to score both shorthanded and on the power play to take the victory, forcing a third and deciding game Saturday night at 7:30 pm at the Memorial Centre in Kingston.
GAME FLOW
The Gaels had the edge early in the opening period as they looked to close out the series in two games coming off a win at Waterloo on Wednesday. Queen's found themselves on the power play on two separate occasions in the opening frame, but it was Waterloo who opened the scoring. The Gaels clearing attempt was blocked, and Samantha Burbridge broke in alone on Queen's goaltender
Stephanie Pascal (Sudbury, Ont.) and fired a shot through the five-hole to put Waterloo up 1-0.
Queen's soon found themselves on the penalty kill as the Gaels sent a pair of skaters to the box late in the period. The frame ended with Waterloo holding a 1-0 lead.
In the second period, Queen's continued to get chances on Waterloo goaltender Stephanie Sluys but could not get a puck past the veteran netminder. A pair of shots both from the slot and the left of Sluys from
Clare McKellar (London, Ont.) and
Taylor Hicks (Whitby, Ont.) respectively were unable to even the score.
Despite holding much of the momentum in the Gaels still trailed 1-0 to Waterloo after 40 minutes.
The third period saw the Warriors step up their defensive game as they forced the Gaels into long shots and kept the scoring chances to a minimum.
Just past the mid-way point of the third, the Warriors headed back to the power play. A pass in close to the left of Pascal was buried by Emma Pye to put the Warriors up 2-0.
The Gaels pulled their goalie but could not get any offensive pressure, and the Warriors took the win 2-0.
BY THE NUMBERS
2 - Shutouts in the series so far, one for each team
7 - Penalties combined between the two teams
1 - Game to decide which team will advance
UP NEXT
The Gaels and Warriors will decide a winner on Saturday night at 7:30 pm in Kingston at the Memorial Centre. Tickets are available at gogaelsgo.com/tickets or catch the action live on OUA.tv.
