The RDC Queens never stopped believing they could win against the NAIT Ooks.
Tied in the series 1-1, on the road in game 3 of their Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Women’s Hockey playoff series, RDC rallied for a comeback.
The Queens pulled off a 4-3 win to clinch the series victory, even after trailing 3-0 midway through the second period Sunday.
“Our motto has been never stop battling. You’re never out of the battle and I think that was true tonight. They knew that they weren’t finished until the final buzzer. They dug in and played for each other and showed a lot of heart,” Queens head coach Kelly Coulter said.
The Ooks opened up a three goal advantage in the first 25 minutes of the game before the Queens woke up.
Neisha Germann got the offense ignited with a goal midway through the second before the Queens rattled off three straight to win it.
“What we saw from the bench is everybody was working hard. Neisha just worked hard and shot a puck on net and was rewarded,” Coutler said.
“The message sunk in to the girls that if we put pucks on net, we’ll be rewarded. Our rookies really saw the leadership from the veterans and really wanted to win for them. It’s nice when your team is playing for each other and want to win for each other.”
Catherin Longchamps notched a tally at 7:39, before Queens leading goal scorer Jade Petrie tied the game at three with 8:49 left in the game.
Queens fifth-year captain Julia Murrell was the hero for RDC, scoring the game-winning goal with just over three minutes to play.
“Obviously we were ecstatic on the bench but there was still lots of time left on the clock,” Coulter said.
”A lot of sacrifices (after that) took a lot of hits on the wall to hold the puck. (NAIT) is a very skilled team. Great win for the girls.”
Tracie Kikuchi picked up the win in net for the Queens with 26 saves.
Fifth-year Defenceman Cassidy Anderson was player of the game for RDC.
The Queens will play the Grant McEwan University Griffins for ACAC gold.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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