KINGSTON, Ont. – The Golden Hawks took a trip to Kingston Friday evening to face the Queens Gaels for the second time this season. The Gaels were looking for a win as they head into playoffs in the next few weeks.

The Gaels wasted no time in the first period as they immediately dominated the offensive zone puck possession. It was only four minutes into the period before Kelsey Dunn snuck the puck behind Golden Hawks goaltender Victoria Kelaiditis to open the scoring. 

As the Golden Hawks fought to tie it up, the Gaels drew a tripping penalty just four minutes later. Less than 60 seconds after that, Queen's assistant captain Scout Watkins-Southward sniped one behind Kelaiditis to put her team up by two.

The Golden Hawks began to pick up the pace as their puck possession grew but, with a shot from the point and five minutes to go in the period, Sarah Campbell extended the Gaels' lead to three.

Laurier did not let up. On a one-time shot from the point, Elle Spencer tipped in Sophia Lombardo's wind-up to finally get Laurier on the board. The purple and gold continued to get shots on Gaels goaltender Vanessa Campeau during the remaining three minutes, evening the shot clock at 11 for each team.

The second period consisted of lots of back-and-forth puck possession between the two teams as the Golden Hawks tried to disrupt the two-goal lead from the Gaels. It wasn't until halfway into the period that Spencer got her second of the game on a breakaway to get her team within one. 

Kelaiditis stood tall in goal for the Golden Hawks, saving all six shots from the Gaels, as the teams headed into the third with only one goal separating the two teams.

Alyson Reeves and the Gaels wasted no time restoring their three-goal lead in the third period just two minutes in. Reeves' tenth goal of the season provided Queen's with some breathing room with a two-goal lead. The Golden Hawks did not let up, as they got eight shots on Campeau in the third period, however, this did not suffice.

"If we can continue to build zone time with possession entries and puck recoveries we will be effective on the offensive side of the game", Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach Kelly Paton noted after the game. Her team will aim to get the season sweep of Ontario Tech on Saturday night.

Three Stars

Elle Spencer – Laurier Golden Hawks: two goals

Sarah Campbell – Queen's Gaels: one goal, one assist

Alyson Reeves – Queen's Gaels: tenth goal of the season

Up next

The Golden Hawks head to Oshawa to take on the Ridgebacks Saturday at 7:00 pm. Follow the action on @WLUAthletics and OUA.tv