RDC Queens head coach Rob Weddell wasn’t a happy man despite a 6-2 victory over the NAIT Ooks in Alberta Colleges Women’s Hockey League play at the Arena Thursday.

But it wasn’t anything to do with the way his troops played. He was upset with the style of play of the Ooks.

“I wasn’t happy at all and I voiced that to their coaches,” said Weddell. “There was a lot of high-sticking, roughing and kneeing . . . there’s no place in this game for some of that. I thought the referee did a good job of keeping the game under control as it was.”

The Ooks took nine of 13 minor penalties. The Queens had eight power plays and scored three times, including twice in the third period to put the game away.

“We knew coming in they had the reputation of being a chippy team and the key for us was to stay disciplined and make them pay on the power play,” said Queens assistant captain Janel Lirette. “I thought overall we did a good job on the power play.”

Mika Strueby scored with the man advantage at 17:47 of the first period to give the Queens a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. The RDC squad enjoyed four power plays in the middle stanza, yet the Ooks scored the lone goal as Stephanie Fedoruk made it 3-2 after 40 minutes.

The third period was all RDC as Becky Bohlender, Charlee Mappin and Treena Dodd connected for the Queens — the later two on the power play.

Amber Graham and Chantal Froehler scored for the Queens in the first period, both on breakaways against Ooks netminder Emily Remple.

Ooks Lacey Hollington beat RDC goaltender Kaitlyn Chapman while on a two-man advantage in the first period to briefly tie the game at 1-1.

The Queens finished with 40 shots on Remple while Chapman made 26 saves.

The win moved the Queens three points up on the MacEwan Griffins in the battle for third place. The Queens have one game remaining as they visit NAIT Saturday. The Griffins face the last-place Mount Royal Cougars twice to finish their regular season.

“We have our fate in our hands,” said Weddell. “Who we meet in the playoffs isn’t that important, what is important is to be playing well going into the playoffs. Tonight was a good step in that direction, now it’s important to carry this over to Saturday.”

The Queens were without captain and defenceman Lindsay Hogg, who injured her shoulder two weeks ago against SAIT.

“It looked as if she would be back by next week, but she slipped and hurt it again in practice,” said Weddell.

Hogg’s loss leaves the Queens with five defencemen.

“It hurts as Lindsay is one of our top players, plus it means more work for us,” said Lirette. “But everyone has to step up, shoulder more of the load and do a little bit extra.”

l The Queens will open the best-of-three league quarter-final series against either Mount Royal or NAIT, Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Arena.

Contact Danny Rode at drode@reddeeradvocate.com