KINGSTON, Ont. (February 20, 2019) - The fourth-seeded Queen's Gaels used home-ice to their advantage defeating the fifth-seeded Ryerson Rams 3-2 on Wednesday night to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series in the OUA McCaw Cup playoffs.
GAME FLOW
In the opening period, the Rams quickly had trouble staying out of the penalty box finding themselves shorthanded twice in the opening four minutes. Queen's was unable to capitalize on the power play opportunities but got their offence in gear.
At the 9:33 mark of the period
Alex Maw struck on the doorstep of the Rams crease banging in a rebound to give the Gaels a 1-0 lead.
Stephanie Pascal was tested just five times in the period and kept the Gaels ahead 1-0 after twenty minutes.
After the Gaels jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on a goal from
Bryce Desa just 3:13 into the frame, the Rams were quick to tie the game up. First Avery Horlock scored at 12:23 to cut the Queen's lead down to 2-1 then Kryshanda Green followed just 37 seconds later to even the score up at 2-2.
In the third period, the Rams had an early power-play opportunity but the Gaels were able to stave off any Ryerson offensive attacks sent their way. With the game looking like it was destined for overtime
Alex Maw struck for her second of the game in the final minute of the period.
Maw was able to take a pass in front of the Rams crease and slip the puck past Fanny Vigeant to give the Gaels a 3-2 lead with just 50 seconds remaining. Pascal and the defence held on from there to give Queen's a 3-2 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
2 - Goals from
Alex Maw, her first two career playoff points
1,1 - A goal and a helper for
Bryce Desa
22 - Saves for Pascal in the victory
0-9 - Combined power-play for the two teams
MUST SEE
Maw seals the win with a late goal.
FINAL SAY
Matt Holmberg talks about the win and what to expect in game two.
UP NEXT
Game two in the best-of-three series goes Saturday night in Toronto at 7:15 pm. Catch the action live on OUA.tv.
