The women’s hockey team participated in exhibition games this weekend at the Cataraqui Community Centre, facing off against the Western Mustangs and the Concordia Stingers. Despite a long period of stalemate, the Gaels overcame the greatly improved Western Mustangs and won 2-1. The Stingers proved to be more of a challenge and Queen’s fell to Concordia 4-1.
Defenceman Shelby Aitcheson, who scored the game-winner against the Mustangs, said the goal added momentum to the team’s play in the final minutes and that the win is a great way to start the season.
“It’s really good for the team chemistry,” said Aitcheson. “It was our first win, so it does a lot for that.” Head coach Matthew Holmberg had mixed emotions after the game. “Without taking anything away from the girls, I think there is definitely room for improvement,” he said. “There is a lot of stuff that we can take away from this game. But it’s the first exhibition game; a lot of these girls are just meeting each other. So overall, I am happy with the effort.” With the score locked at 1-1 for much of the game after a goal from forward Kelsey Thomson, it looked as though either team could come out on top. Queen’s came close on a three-on-one early in the second period, but failed to capitalize.
The Gaels took the reins in the third period, and won off a late slap-shot goal from Aitcheson. Holmberg had a number of reasons for why the Gaels ultimately took charge including how Queen’s outshot Western 33-21.
“We had really good fore-checking, we were putting really good pressure on their defence,” he said. “We worked on getting [the puck] deep and getting shots on net.” Holmberg was impressed with Western, a team that Queen’s had little trouble against last year when they won two of their three contests. The Western women’s team had a losing record last year, going 10-12-5, while the Gaels notched a stellar 19-5-3 season to finish second in the OUA. “We outshot them, and we had a lot of the play,” he said. “But they showed flashes of really good hockey.” The head coach pointed to a number of changes that the Mustangs underwent over the summer.
“They have a new coach, some players,” he said. “I think they can be a very competitive team this year.”
Holmberg was enthusiastic about the Gaels’ game against the Concordia Stingers Sunday night. A non-OUA team, the Stingers rarely play against Queen’s.
“I think it will be great,” he said. “I really like the opportunity. They are a well-coached team. We’ve never played them, so it will be a chance to focus on what we do best, and hopefully that will be enough.” The Stingers defeated the Gaels 4-1 Sunday night. Aitcheson provided the lone goal for the Gaels on a third period powerplay. As they had in their game against Western, goalies Mel Dodd-Moher and Karissa Savage shared duties between the pipes.
The Gaels will host the Burlington Baracudas of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League next Saturday at the Cataraqui Community Centre. The puck drops at 2:30 p.m.
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