Broncos use late-game heroics to crown Queens
Olds College Sports Information
October 18, 2018
OLDS, Alta. - It takes a 60-minute effort to win.
The Olds College Broncos proved the adage true on Thursday, as Jesse Jack's goal with 55 seconds left in the third period pushed the Broncos to a 3-2 victory over the Red Deer College Queens, as the Broncos hosted Pink in the Rink in support of the Central Alberta Cancer Centre.
It was a night of firsts for Olds College (1-1-1), as Bree Edwards scored her first two ACAC goals, while Tori Eilers made 20 saves for her first ACAC victory.
Broncos co-captain Tori Chenier added two assists.
Veronika Bucifalova scored both goals for the Queens (1-2-0), while Cook made 17 saves in the losing effort.
It was a tight start to the game, as each team was getting a feel for the other.
The Queens struck first, as Bucifalova took a Catherine Longchamps stretch pass and got behind the Bronco defence, beating Eilers high to give Red Deer the 1-0 lead after one.
However, Olds College answered quickly to start the second, as Edwards was the beneficiary of a bouncing puck off a Kali Cummings shot, which squeaked past Cook to tie the game at 1.
Red Deer again jumped ahead midway through the second, as Bucifalova took a cross-ice pass from Kaely McMurtry and beat Eilers off the post, giving the Queens the 2-1 lead after 40 minutes off the powerplay marker.
Again, the Broncos came out fast, capitalizing on a Queens turnover as Edwards backhanded her second of the night past Cook just 15 seconds into the final frame.
From there, the game tightened up once more, as both teams had opportunities to win down the stretch, including a golden opportunity for the Queens with a late powerplay. However, the Broncos penalty kill dug in and got the job done, with Eilers making key saves along the way.
The Broncos and Queens will face off again Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, where RDC will host Pink in the Rink.
Players of the Game
OC - Jesse Jack
RDC - Mariah McKersie