Written By: Red Deer College Athletics

Red Deer, AB – Special teams played a significant role in game one of the best-of-three semi-final between the RDC Queens and NAIT Ooks. A total of three power-play goals were scored and NAIT's Megan Leblanc recorded four goals en route to a 5-2 road victory.

After a scoreless first period, the NAIT Ooks hit the scoreboard early in the second. On the power play, a shot from the right circle eluded Queen's goaltender Karlee Fetch. Megan Leblanc picked up the marker 53 seconds into the frame.

With 11:26 left in the stanza, the home team tied the contest. Queens defender Ashley Sutherland picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, carried it into the offensive zone and snapped it by NAIT goaltender Kaitlyn Slator on the stick side.

Then the Queens jumped ahead on the power play. Ashley Sutherland's point shot was redirected by Mary Hirsch behind Slator.

On a five-on-three power play, the visitors evened the game 2-2 with 49 seconds remaining in the period. Megan Leblanc was stationed at the right side of the net and deflected a Delaney Martin shot behind Fetch.

Early in the third period, the NAIT Ooks took a lead. With traffic in front of Fetch, a shot from the side found its way behind the fifth-year netminder. Jordan McMillan was credited with the go-ahead marker at 2:36. 

The visitors grabbed a two-goal lead as the third period approached the mid-way point. Megan Leblanc found herself in alone on Fetch, faked backhand and tucked the puck into the left side of the net.

About seven minutes later Leblanc recorded her fourth, providing the Ooks 5-2 edge. Time expired and the Ooks took game one. 

Ashley Sutherland was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game.

Megan Leblanc received the award for the Ooks.

NAIT outshot RDC 23-11.

The Queens and Ooks will hit the ice on Saturday, Feb. 29 for game two. The puck will drop at 2:00 pm in Edmonton.

If necessary, the RDC Queens will host the NAIT Ooks for the third game on Sunday, March 1 at 5:00 pm.