Trojans dropped by Queens

By Colton Pankiw
SAIT Trojans Student Writer

CALGARY, ALTA., (Feb. 26, 2022) - The SAIT Trojans women's hockey team were looking to make it two straight after defeating the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens 2-1 in a shootout on Friday night.

Unfortunately, Saturday's contest didn't start on the right foot as Queens defenceman Alexandra Black was able to cash in on a rebound and give her team an early 1-0 lead. The early lead didn't last long however, Jordyn McLaughlin took a slashing minor to put the queen shorthanded and the Trojans capitalized as Brittany MacDonald wired a shot over the shoulder of goaltender Madison Fox.

Mary Hirsch of the Queens was able to give her team back the lead minutes later on a rebound opportunity that she fired past Becca Boswell.

The Queens weren't done there, as Alli Soyko was also able to get in on the action and extended the lead to 3-1. The opening frame came to an end shortly after, with the Queens holding both a lead in the score as well as the shots at 11-6.

The second period was a goaltending show, as both Boswelll and Fox made plenty of great saves to keep the score intact. Boswell in particular was fantastic, making several ten bell saves, perhaps none better than a break away save late in the period on Natalie Buttle. The second came to an end with the same 3-1 score, while the Queens held a slight 19-13 advantage in the shot department.

Things began to unravel in the third, as the Queens were able to put up three goals in the third, two of which came off the stick of Monica Bowtell. It became very clear that the Trojans were running out of gas after a big effort the night before, as they failed to record a single shot in the final frame while the Queens put up 15.

Though the score ended lopsided, it was anyone's game through the first 40 minutes of play. Their top performer for the night Pyper Alexander, who was rewarded with the Trojans Player of the Game. Receiving the honour for the Queens was Hirsch.

Eliminated from playoff contention, the Trojans will wrap up their season next weekend with a pair of makeup games from a few weeks back when they had their weekend set with the NAIT Ooks postponed.