Playing their second game back-to-back on Oct. 22, the women’s hockey team secured their third consecutive win against last year’s third-seeded team in the OUA, Queen’s Gaels. The Warriors put on a display of incredible offence, attributed to the six goals they scored that game, as well as stellar defence, limiting the Gaels to only 15 shots compared to their 33 shots.
The game started with a lot of back-and-forth action, appearing to be a game between two evenly-matched teams. However, just after the halfway mark of the first period, forward Amy Barnard poked in the first goal of the game, and her season. Despite much traffic in front of the net, Marissa Redmond and Dana Fairbarn were able to knock the puck to Barnard for the goal. Two minutes later, first-year forward Cynthia Cavanagh was able to score in front of the net, off of a puck that rebounded from the Gaels’ goalie. Warriors’ captain Siobhan Hewitt-Kenda and forward Alison Hanson were credited with assists on the play, as Cavanagh recorded the first goal of her young OUA career. The period ended with a 2-0 Warriors lead.
The Warriors didn’t hold themselves back from scoring in the next frame, as the third goal of the game came at only 57 seconds into the second period. Hanson showed off some pretty handling with the stick as she skated from behind the net to the top of the circle, and wristed in the first goal of her season. Fairbarn and Hewitt-Kenda both picked up their second assists on the play. Similar to the first period, the second goal of the frame came within two minutes of the first. Angela MacDonald scored from the top of the other circle, recording her third goal of the season. Alyssa Gee and Redmond were credited with assists on the play. The Warriors headed into the second intermission with a comfortable 4-0 lead over the Gaels.
The third period was quiet until the game neared its end, as the Warriors netted another two goals. Hanson was able to score her second goal of the game, with help from Hewitt-Kenda and Hannah Street. Forward Tegan Odland tallied the final goal of the game, but the first of her season, from an assist from Lindsey McDonald. The Warriors pulled off an impressive 6-0 shutout, and logged their third tally in the win column.
Hewitt-Kenda (three assists) and Hanson (two goals, one assist) lead their team with three points each, while nine of their teammates were able to record at least one point in the game as well. Warriors’ goalie Stephanie Sluys had no problem stopping all 15 shots from the opposition, and recorded her second shutout of the season, and 11th of her career.
The big win over the Gaels comes only a day after the Warriors recorded a 2-0 shutout against the UOIT Ridgebacks at Columbia Icefield. Maryn Caragata was the difference-maker in that game as she scored midway through the second period, and Barnard put in the empty netter with only a second remaining in the game to seal their victory.
With two wins, an overtime win, and an overtime loss, the Warriors now sit at second place in the OUA with eight points.
The season continues next weekend as the Warriors head west to face the Windsor Lancers on Saturday, followed by a game against the Western Mustangs on Sunday.
