parpho@rogers.com

No. 4 Laurier holds on to beat No. 7 Queen's 3-1
Posted by: Shawn MacDonald (Sports Information Officer)

2/9/2013 10:20:00 PM
KINGSTON, Ont. (February 9, 2013) - The No. 7 Queen's Gaels (19-4-2) played host to the No. 4 Laurier Golden Hawks (21-2-3) in a battle between two of Canada's top teams. It was the Golden Hawks coming out on top at the Memorial Centre in Kingston 3-1.

It was senior night for the Gaels as they took time in a pre-game ceremony to honour the 10 graduating athletes for the Gaels this season. Those graduating this year from the Gaels squad are Engi Lim (Pierrefonds, Que.), Marlee Fisher (Kingston, Ont.), Chantal Morais (Guelph, Ont.), Alana Smith (Aurora, Ont.), Mel Dodd-Moher (Stittsville, Ont.), Karissa Savage (Calgary), Brittany McHaffie (Guelph, Ont.), Morgan McHaffie (Guelph, Ont.), Katie Duncan (Kitchener, Ont.) and Kristin Smith (Toronto).

Laurier got on the board quick with a goal from Paula Lagamba (Toronto) only 34 seconds into the first period. The Gaels were playing catch up but managed to get a bit of momentum firing 14 shots in the first frame. Morgan McHaffie (Guelph, Ont.) wired a wrist shot from the slot mid-way through the period that rang off the iron and went wide. The Golden Hawks increased their lead to two with a power play marker from Fiona Lester (Peterborough). Lester's point shot found it's way through a crowd and between the pads of Gaels starting netminder Mel Dodd-Moher (Stittsville, Ont.).

The second period saw the two teams show the two teams trade continued offensive chances. The Gaels applied the early pressure that resulted in a goal from Shawna Griffin (Calgary) with assists going to Allie Biglieri (Toronto) and Kristin Smith (Toronto). Moments later Queen's had thought they had tied the game at 2-2 but the goal was disallowed after the whistle had blown. Laurier took advantage and about a minute later restored their two goal lead on a goal from Andrea Shapero (Toronto) at 10:06.

In the final period the Gaels could not find a way to beat the Laurier netminder Erika Thunder (Buffalo Point, Man.) who stopped 39 shots in the win. Dodd-Moher stopped Lester on a penalty shot late in the game as the Gaels netminder followed the Laurier shooter from right to left for the pad save.