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Gaels win their season opener 2-0 over Brock


KINGSTON, Ont. (October 9, 2015) - The Gaels (1-0) win their season opener 2-0 over the Brock Badgers (0-1) with a last minute goal to earn the victory.

GAME FLOW
The first period of the Gaels season saw them control most of the puck possession throughout the period. The Gaels offence had a couple quality scoring chances during the first ten minutes of play but could not get on the on the scoreboard. Their best scoring chance of the period came when forward Kyla Crouse (Mount Brydges, Ont.) received a pass right in front of Brock's net but could not beat the Badgers goaltender. Brock took the first penalty of the game when #12 received an interference call in front of their own net. The Gaels power play was only able to muster two shots on their man advantage with one striking off the post by a slap shot by Alisha Sealey (Elora, Ont.). Last in the first period Brocks forward #89 was hauled down on a partial breakaway by Queen's captain Mary Coughlin (Amherstburg, Ont.) who received a hooking call to give the Badgers a power play to begin the second period.

The second period began with Brock on their first power play of the game but that was quickly changed with the Badgers receiving a holding call bringing the play to four on four. Queen's went on their second power play with only a minute to take advantage with the extra player on the ice. The Gaels only mustered one shot on target. The game went back and fourth during the first ten minutes of play with both teams skating well but neither team could create quality scoring chances. In the middle of the second Brock received their second power play opportunity when Gaels Danelle Bishoff (Calgary) was called for a tripping penalty. Queen's killed off the penalty not allowing Brock any quality chances with the advantage. With six minutes left in the period the Gaels best scoring chance came off a slap shot from Sealey in the slot but was saved by the Badgers goaltender. In the dying seconds of the period Brock had their best scoring chance of the game with a wide open shot in front of the Gaels net but was pushed aside. The game remained scoreless entering the third.

The third period saw the Gaels offence continue their pressure on the Badgers in their defensive zone. Queen's Sealey had another good scoring chance early in the period with a back hand shot in the slot but was blocked away. The Gaels received their third penalty of the game in the middle of the period giving Brock another power play opportunity. Queen's goaltender Caitlyn Lahonen (Saskatoon) once again made some key saves on the penalty kill to keep the game scoreless as the Gaels killed off the penalty. With five minutes left in the game Queen's offence continued to press with another scoring opportunity coming off a rebound shot but was controlled Brocks goaltender. The Gaels offensive persistent finally wore down the Badgers with a minute left to play off a scramble play in front of the Brock net, Queen's forward Nadia Larocca (Mississauga, Ont.) put in the game winning goal for the Gaels. Larocca scored her second of the game adding the late empty net goal with seconds left to play. The game ended in a 2-0 final with Lahonen earning the shutout for the Gaels.

FINAL SAY
"Tonight was a good test for us this early in the season. Brock played a tough game and we were fortunate that Caitlyn was solid and kept us in it until we could get our feet moving. I'm happy with how our PK looks so far, but our PP will need to crank it up a notch tomorrow." - Matt Holmberg, Head Coach

BY THE NUMBERS
3 - Number of Penalties taken by Queen's
1:14 - Time left in the game when Gaels scored their first goal
21 - Number of saves made by Queen's Lahonen
2 - Goals scored by Queen's Larocca
22 - Queen's shots on net