The Gaels seemed flat-footed in an empty Memorial Centre Arena as they dropped the first game of their quarterfinal matchup.
The first round of the OUA hockey playoffs commenced on Feb. 26 at the Memorial Centre in Kingston where the Women’s Hockey team lost against the Nipissing Lakers 5-2.
The Gaels struggled against Nipissing throughout the regular season, having been outscored 9-2 across both matchups.
Despite their previous struggles, Queen’s showed promise in the opening period, out-pressuring the Lakers and defending their net well. With just under five minutes remaining in the first, forward Mikayla Cranney, ArtSci ’27, skated past a Nipissing defender, deked the goaltender, and buried a highlight-reel goal to put the Gaels up 1-0.
Goaltender Emma Tennant, Sci ’26, stood tall under heavy pressure for the remainder of the first period. However, defensive breakdowns plagued Queen’s, as second-chance opportunities allowed the Lakers to equalize early in the second.
While the Gaels drew multiple penalties—earning four minutes of consecutive power-play time— Nipissing’s strong penalty kill shut them down. The Lakers then capitalized on a costly Queen’s turnover, taking a 2-1 lead midway through the second period.
A defensive lapse in the Gaels’ zone allowed Nipissing to set up a point shot, which was deflected past Tennant, extending the Lakers’ lead to 3-1 just before the second intermission.
The Gaels seemed flat-footed in an empty Memorial Centre Arena as they dropped the first game of their quarterfinal matchup.
The first round of the OUA playoffs kicked off on Feb. 26 at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont. where the Women’s Hockey suffered a 2-5 loss to the Nipissing Lakers.
The Gaels struggled against Nipissing throughout the regular season, having been outscored 9-2 across both matchups.
Despite their previous struggles, Queen’s showed promise in the opening period, out-pressuring the Lakers and defending their net well. With just under five minutes remaining in the first, forward Mikayla Cranney, ArtSci ’27, skated past a Nipissing defender, deked the goaltender, and buried a highlight-reel goal to put the Gaels up 1-0.
Goaltender Emma Tennant, Sci ’26, stood tall under heavy pressure for the remainder of the first period. However, defensive breakdowns plagued Queen’s, as second-chance opportunities allowed the Lakers to equalize early in the second.
While the Gaels drew multiple penalties—earning four minutes of consecutive power-play time—Nipissing’s strong penalty kill shut them down. The Lakers then capitalized on a costly Queen’s turnover, taking a 2-1 lead midway through the second period.
A defensive lapse in the Gaels’ zone allowed Nipissing to set up a point shot, which was deflected past Tennant, extending the Lakers’ lead to 3-1 just before the second intermission.
The Gaels, however, responded. A scramble in front of the Lakers’ net gave first-year Melissa Parton, ArtSci ’28, the chance to fire one home, cutting the deficit to one.
Unfortunately for Queen’s, the third period brought no momentum shift. The Gaels surrendered another rebound goal before conceding an empty-netter, sealing their 5-2 defeat.
Despite allowing four goals, Tennant was the standout performer for Queen’s, making 33 saves. If the Gaels can tighten up defensively, they have a chance to bounce back in Game two.
The Gaels will take to the ice against the Lakers again on Feb. 28 in North Bay, Ont. If they manage to secure a win, they will force a decisive Game three, which would take place back at the Memorial Centre on Mar. 1.
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