WHKY | Voyageurs Drop 4-3 Thriller to Queen's
January 7, 2017
On Saturday afternoon, the Laurentian Women's hockey team lost their first contest of 2017 in a 4-3 thriller against the visiting Queen's Gaels.
The Vees came out flying in the first period and were relentless on the forecheck. Their efforts resulted in Laurentian jumping out to 1-0 lead at 11:01 of the first period, when Elissa Bertuzzi capitalized on a rebound surrendered by Queen's goaltender Stephanie Pascal. Taylor Philip and Myla McCormick gathered the assists on Bertuzzi's goal.
The Gaels clearly found a way to recoup during the first intermission, as they hit the ice for the second like a completely new team. The Gaels scored four goals in a span of 11 minutes to earn themselves a 4-1 lead.
Clare McKellar tied the game at 5:04 on an unassisted effort. At 7:59, Addi Halladay gave the Gaels a 2-1 lead on her own unassisted effort.
Gael captain Jessica Wakefield then scored her first of two on the afternoon at 13:15 of the period. Wakefield would add another just over three minutes later to give the Gaels a 4-1 lead.
Down, but not out, the Voyageurs managed to gather themselves and string together a stronger effort in the third period. At 5:31 of the third, Kennedy Lanktree redirected Taylor Weber's shot on the powerplay to get the Vees within two. Sara Habal also got an assist on the play.
In the dying minutes and with the goalie pulled, Annie Sheridan scored in tight on Pascal to bring the Vees within one.
That would be as close as the Vees would get, however, as they couldn't muster a fourth goal in the last 30 seconds to complete the comeback.
The Vees are on the ice again with a chance to redeem themselves after today's loss when they host the UOIT Ridgebacks tomorrow at 1:50PM.
Riley Brooks
Sports Writer