EDMONTON, Alta. - Despite a late push, the NAIT Ooks women's hockey team was unable to overcome a third-period deficit falling 4-3 to the RDC Queens, forcing a third and final game.

In the first period, the Ooks were on their heels as they started slow. The Queens were able to capitalize, as Avery Lajeunesse received a pass from Neisha Germann on the powerplay, and was able to rifle a shot through traffic over the shoulder of NAIT's Ashley Smith. 1-0 Queens at the first intermission. 

The Ooks found their stride in the second period as Kadey Rosie found Cass Lyttle trailing off the rush who sniped it past RDC's Madison Fox. The Queens responded second later when Mary Hirsch found a puck in her skates in front of the net was able to shovel it past Smith to put her team back in the lead. Nearing the end of the middle frame, NAIT found themselves on the powerplay, which saw a beautiful feed from Megan LeBlanc to Delaney Martin in the slot, who then, without hesitation, blasted it home to tie the game at two heading into the final period.

In the third period, the queens jumped back out in front with a goal from Sansom. The Queens' Ashley Sutherland added another on the powerplay with under four minutes remaining in the game. Late in the game, the Ooks were pushing hard, as a result, were able to muster up powerplay goal from Wynona Cryeke to bring the Ooks to within one. Despite a frantic finish that saw several opportunities from NAIT, the game would end 4-3 in favour of the visiting Queens. 

The two teams will now head to a third and deciding game tomorrow night in Red Deer. The winner will head to the ACAC Championship final, where they will face the MacEwan Griffins. 

Players of the Game

NAIT Ooks - Cass Lyttle

RDC Queens - Madison Fox