Petrie snipes overtime winner, Kikuchi and Queens shutout Broncos

Brent Forster - RDC

The Red Deer College Queens Hockey team faced the Olds College Broncos in a rare Thursday road game, and it was a defensive battle. Neither goaltender could be beaten over three periods, but eventually Jade Petrie scored in the 5 minute 4-on-4 overtime period to lead the RDC Queens to a 1-0 road victory.

Tracie Kikuchi got the start in net for the Queens while Jaydlin Spooner was the goaltender for the Broncos. Emily Lougheed, a Management Certificate student, was back in the lineup for the Queens after being out with an injury.

Despite the RDC Queens outshooting the Olds College Broncos 6-5 in the first period, neither team could get on the scoreboard. The Queens applied more of the pressure in the middle frame but both goaltenders were sharp. About midway through the second period, the Queens came close to opening the scoring. On a 2-on-1 opportunity, RDC fired a shot off the crossbar. The Queens tested Spooner 13 times in the period while the Broncos had 7 shots on Kikuchi. 

Each side had a couple of opportunities in the third period to break the scoreless draw, but they couldn't capitalize. After the Olds College Broncos tipped a shot off the crossbar, Jade Petrie had a good chance for RDC. Petrie made a nice move around the Broncos' defender but she was stopped by Spooner. In the third period, Kikuchi turned aside all 13 shots while the Queens couldn't beat Spooner on 5 attempts, and the contest headed into overtime.

In the 4-on-4 overtime period, Petrie carried the puck out of the corner into the slot and beat Spooner over the shoulder for the game winning goal at 4:35. Landry Derdall picked up the assist. Petrie's goal was her seventh of the season which leads Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Hockey. Kikuchi earned the shutout with 26 saves and the Kinesiology & Sport Studies student played a major role in the victory.

Catherine Longchamps was named the player-of-the-game for the RDC Queens with strong defensive play, while Dana Hauck received the honour for the Olds College Broncos.

Queens Hockey Head Coach Kelly Coulter appreciated a strong effort, especially after a bye week. "It was a very good effort considering we haven't been on the ice as a team in a while," said Coulter. "Tracie (Kikuchi) and our penalty kill were excellent tonight. Jade (Petrie) battled all night and Julia (Murrell) was outstanding - she created many scoring chances."

The Red Deer College Queens (6-3-2-0) will compete against the Olds College Broncos (4-6-1-0) on Saturday, November 18 at the NexSource Centre in Sylvan Lake.