Fox shuts the door, Reid scores the game winner as Queens drop Ooks in back-to-back games

Brent Forster - Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – A solid goaltending performance along with committed team defence were the foundation of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens' eighth consecutive victory.

Madison Fox turned aside 18 shots for her third straight shutout and Brenna Reid scored the lone goal as the Queens blanked the NAIT Ooks 1-0.

Fox (1)

"We knew NAIT was going to come out hard. They are a good offensive team and they have a lot of talent," said Kelly Coulter, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Hockey Head Coach. "The girls were ready to defend and I thought Madi was great between the pipes again."

Both Fox and Ooks netminder Havana Batke stopped 12 shots over 40 minutes. 

The Queens finally broke the stalemate on their 15th shot of the game. At 4:15 into the third period, Reid was sent in alone on NAIT's goal and the RDP Bachelor of Kinesiology student beat Batke high on the blocker side.

"It was at the end of my shift. Kyla Hansel was breaking out on the left side of our zone and I was coming through the middle," said Reid, a Bachelor of Kinesiology student. "I called for the puck and she passed it right to my stick. I was on a breakaway and looked up. I saw open space in the top left corner and I knew it was going to go in as soon as I shot it."

Coulter was appreciative of Reid's timely marker.

"We had some opportunities that we didn't bury early," he said. "Thankfully, Brenna was able to get her one chance and put it behind their goalie, who I thought also played very well tonight."

With time winding down, the NAIT Ooks called a timeout. Batke was pulled for the extra attacker with 1:43 left. The Ooks pressed to score but couldn't beat Fox.

Edmonton's Reid received the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game award.

"Brenna is part of our leadership group. She has demonstrated since the first day she got here that she is committed to her fitness," added Coulter.

"She really has a team first attitude - does whatever it takes to help the team win. She skates really well and is a competitor. We are fortunate on this team to have a lot of girls who compete hard and have pride in what they do and she is certainly one of them."

Hirsch (24) and Soyko (93)

The Queens have now shutout the NAIT Ooks in back-to-back games and jumped four points ahead in the standings. 

"Our defence is really solid. We have a lot of support in the D zone. If we keep that up and have good breakouts, we will do awesome," said Reid. "Our goaltending is amazing. They are so good at controlling the puck and stopping it when we need a little reset." 

Bre Martin picked up the top player recognition for the Ooks. 

Batke also made 18 saves.

Both teams couldn't connect on three power plays. 

"The girls are buying in and really playing for each other. It is really a hard working group," stated Coulter. "They are playing a team concept that we've been preaching since day one. They are seeing that success and since they are seeing that success that makes it easier for them to buy in." 

The first place Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (8-1) will meet the second seed NAIT Ooks (6-3) on Friday, February 11 at 7 pm in Edmonton.