The RDC Queens are quickly finding the right fit with the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season on the horizon.
RDC suffered a tough 1-0 loss to McEwan Friday night in their annual showcase at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre but rebounded quickly.
In game 2, they earned a decisive 4-0 shutout over the SAIT Trojans Saturday morning and Queens hockey head coach Kelly Coulter said the opening loss was a bit of a wakeup call for a group that features close to a dozen ACAC rookies.
“They play really well together in terms of all areas of the ice. Really happy with what we’ve seen so far. We didn’t know what to expect in terms of them making that transition for our rookies from midget to college,” Coulter said.
“I think they got a few eye-openers with the physicality on some of our players. That’s college hockey. (Friday) they take away time and space quicker at this level, we made good adjustments.”
Karlee Fetch, the Queens second-year netminder posted the shutout with 29 saves in the victory.
Third-year forward Jenessa Fournier led the way with a goal and two assists, while Kirsten Baumgardt notched a goal and an assist. Veteran Mariah McKersie also added a goal.
“First goal was lots of people at the net which we’ve been preaching since last season,” Coulter said.
“Jen scored, she’s a third-year player. She had offensive finesse when she came out of midget, it takes a couple of years to get used to the pace and goaltending.”
Rookie Brooklyn Rowley picked up a pair of assists and her twin sister Sydney scored earlier in the third period.
Saturday night, the Queens dropped a 3-1 game to the Olds College Broncos.
With still about a month until the opening game of the ACAC season, the Queens will be busy until then. They will take on the Central Alberta Amazons for a pair of games next weekend, play at the SAIT Tournament the following weekend and finish the month off at a showcase in the U.S.
They drop the puck on the regular season with their Alumni Home Opener on Oct. 10.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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