Queen's Gaels Women's Hockey returned to home ice for a decisive Game Three against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, with a spot in the Ontario University Athletics semifinals on the line. With the best-of-three quarterfinal series tied, the Gaels looked to harness the energy of their home crowd and carry momentum into the final matchup in what shaped up to be a tightly contested playoff battle.
The opening period was a scoreless grind, as the Gaels generated multiple Grade-A opportunities while establishing a strong forecheck, putting pucks deep, and finishing their checks in all three zones. Queen's controlled much of the early pace and applied consistent offensive pressure, but both sides headed into the intermission locked in a 0–0 stalemate.
The second period mirrored the intensity of the first, with chances traded in a physical, back-and-forth frame. Late in the period, Alex Recsky (Health Sciences) broke through, wiring a beautiful shot past the netminder off a setup from Taya Leonard (Kinesiology), giving the Gaels a hard-earned 1–0 lead heading into the final twenty minutes.
The third period swung in favour of the Ridgebacks, who found the back of the net just 0:25 into the frame to even the score. Ontario Tech would capitalize again late in the period at 12:21 to take their first lead of the night. Queen's pushed back with urgency, generating sustained offensive zone time and several quality looks in the dying minutes, but were unable to solve the Ridgebacks' defense as time expired.
Ultimately, Ontario Tech held on for a 2–1 victory, punching their ticket to the semifinals.
While this marks the end of the Gaels' playoff run, it's been an outstanding season for this group - highlighted by a first place finish in the OUA East Division. A year built on compete level, resilience, and relentless work ethic, this team left everything on the ice night in and night out. Gaels fans have so much to be proud of. Wishing all of our graduating players the very best as they take the next step - your leadership and legacy will carry on within this program. Once a Gael, always a Gael.
