Posted: Jan 27, 2017
WHKY | Vees Lose Heartbreaker in Shootout to Queens, Come Away With a Point
On Friday night, the Voyageurs women's hockey team lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Queens Gaels, but still walk away with a crucial point as the race to the post season heats up.
The Vees, riding a three-game win streak, hit the ice determined to make it four in a row. Jessica Staats scored early in the first period at 4:06 to give the Voyageurs an early lead. Marie-Pierre Pelissou had the lone assist on Staats' goal.
Just under six minutes later, the Vees powerplay, which has been lethal as of late, connected again to give the Vees a two goal lead. Morgan McCann scored from Maggie Brennan and Sara Habal at 9:59, which would be the final goal of the first period despite the Vees absolutely dominating the Gaels 13-3 on the shot clock.
The Gaels would turn the tables on the Vees in the second period, outshooting Laurentian 14-6. Karen Collins, who had withstood the Queens onslaught, was finally beat at 7:43 of the second off the stick of Hailey Wilson.
Queens tied the game early in the third period, when Katrina Manoukarakis scored at 1:04 to even the score at two.
The Vees regained the lead at a crucial moment in the third, when Myla McCormick scored late at 17:28 to regain the lead. McCormick's goal was assisted by Taylor Philip and Sam Morell.
The Vees then suffered a blow when Queens was awarded a penalty shot at 18:59. Jessica Wakefield was tapped as the Queens shooter who came up huge for Queens beating Collins on the penalty shot and tying the game with a minute left.
After two periods of 4-on-4 and 3-on-3 overtime, the game remained tied and headed to a shootout. Jessica Wakefield was again selected as the first shooter for Queens, and was the only one of three shooters per side able to find the back of the net. As a result, the Vees lost 4-3 in their only contest of the weekend.
With the point, the Voyageurs are in a three-way tie for seventh place in the standings and remain one win away from fourth place in the standings.
Riley Brooks
Sports Writer