Queen’s Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams had a busy weekend, with the Women welcoming the York University Lions and the Nipissing Lakers to Kingston, and the Men’s team facing off against the Nipissing Lakers in North Bay, Ont.
Women’s Hockey
The Gaels welcomed the York Lions to Kinsmen Arena on Jan. 10. Queen’s found themselves trailing early, only to battle back from a two-goal deficit just before the end of regulation, eventually yielding a 3-2 win in overtime.
York scored in the first period on the powerplay, then doubled up on their lead with an even-strength goal midway through the second frame of play.
The Gaels would wait till the third to retaliate. A Sophie Hudson, ArtSci ’25, assist set up Mikayla Cranney, ArtSci ’27, to get the Gaels back into the game, with Hudson and Carys Collie, ArtSci ’25, then setting up Alyson Reeves, Comm ’25, for the equalizer.
Emma Tennant, Sci ’26, stood strong for the Gaels throughout the back half of the action, stopping 36 of 38 shots until the Lions were able to convert a four-on-two rush into the game-deciding goal.
The Gaels didn’t have to travel far for the second game of their doubleheader, dropping the puck the following evening on Jan. 11 at the Memorial Centre against the league-leading Nipissing Lakers.
Nipissing was 12-1-1-1 before their 3-0 victory against the Gaels.
The matchup against the Lakers showcased yet another strong performance by Tennant, solidifying herself as the most consistent factor for the Gaels on a game-by-game basis.
The Gaels being shut out on the score sheet didn’t reflect the number of high-quality chances they had earned. Open nets, penalty shots, and odd-man rushes weren’t enough to beat the top-ranked goaltender, Chantelle Sandquist, who plays a large part in why the Lakers sit atop the OUA.
Tennant also carried more than her fair share, shutting down powerplays and denying 3-on-1 opportunities for the Lakers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as the Lakers consistently chipped away at the Gaels defence and Tennant’s confidence, scoring once in the first and twice in the third.
The Women’s Hockey team’s next game is on Jan. 17 in St. Catharines, Ont. where they’ll drop the puck against the Brock Badgers. The Badgers are 4-9-1-2 this season.
Men’s Hockey
Despite losing offensive and defensive powerhouses to international commitments, the Men’s Hockey team saw a very different outcome in their Jan. 10 matchup against the Lakers, dominating them 7-2 in North Bay, Ont.
Nipissing broke the seal just under 10 minutes into the game, only to be cancelled out by a Samuel Marburg, ArtSci ’27, goal thanks to assists from Owen Lalonde, ArtSci ’25, and Cameron Tolnai, Comm ’27.
The Gaels didn’t stop there, doubling up just three minutes later with Tolnai finding the back of the net for himself. Lalonde added his second assist of the game with Lucas Peric, ArtSci ’26, getting in on the action as well.
While the Lakers responded in the same minute, this would be the final time the Lakers would find the back of the net all game. Christian Purboo, ArtSci ’25, proceeded to stop the next 23 shots he faced, helping the Gaels focus on offence.
It wasn’t until the second period when the Gaels would once again find themselves leading the game. Derek Hamilton, ArtSci ’27, scored his first of the game off of a Holden Katzalay, ArtSci ’25, assist. From then on, the Gaels never looked back.
Liam Tanner, Kin ’28, Nathan Ribau, ArtSci ’27, and Daniel Michaud, ArtSci ’27, added goals of their own, with both Katzalay and Lalonde picking up three assists each in the Gaels’ blowout win.
The Men’s Hockey team will travel to Blainville, Que. on Jan. 18 to face off against the McGill Redbirds. The Redbirds are 16-10 this season.
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