Gaels beat Lancers 5-1

Lilly Coote Assistant Sports Editor

On Friday Jan. 27, the Queen’s Women’s Hockey team shut down the Windsor Lancers 5-1 at the Memorial Centre.

Head Coach Mark Hollberg told The Journal he’d made some strategic changes to include a more high-powered offense, which the team showcased beautifully in their match up against the Lancers.

In the first period, Emma McKnight sliced through the Lancers’ defense on a breakaway and opened the game with a perfect shorthanded goal.

Scout Watkins Southward returned to the Memorial Centre ice for the first time this weekend since helping Canada win gold at the FISU Games, and scored on a deflected shot minutes later to give the Gaels an early 2-0 lead.

Less than a minute later, the Lancers scored to cut the Gaels lead to 2-1. However, assists from Quinn Johnston and Sarah Campbell to Rebecca Thompson early in the second period allowed the Gaels to pull ahead by another point.

Gaels kept up their momentum and scored on a power play when Sophie Hudson found the back of the net in the third period. The Gaels sat comfortably at 4-1. Then Alyson Reeves deked the Windsor goalie for Queen’s fifth and final goal for good measure.

The Gaels dominated on the ice, and goalie Lexi Giorgi was steady in net with 29 saves.

Quinn Johnston is a key forward for the Gaels and averages almost one point per student clubs into their event, including a performance from Queen’s POM Team and a local student acapella group. Other events during the day included karate, crafts, sleigh rides, swimming, cookie decorating and yoga. game. She recently did a podcast episode with former player Jaclyn Hawkins, where she said she’s feeling optimistic about the second half of the season.

“We know that our best is yet to come,” Johnston said on the Women’s Hockey Life Podcast.

“We’ve been doing a new system [with] our group this year, which has been really fun and a good challenge, and I think we’re really starting to own it.”

Despite the new offensive strategy implemented in the 2023 season, the Gaels are still struggling with consistency.

The team has a 10-12 record, frequently alternating wins and losses. The team watched their three-game win streak slip through their fingers immediately following their Lancer victory on Saturday Jan. 28 with a tough 6-1 loss to Waterloo.

The Warriors have been a tough matchup for the Gaels this season; six goals are the most goalie Vanessa Campeau and the Gaels

“Seeing all of us work together almost every week and knowing how much each individual person is putting in, and then just seeing it all come together as one is kind of amazing.” have allowed all season. Earlier in the season, Campeau, who has been strong all year, made 55 impressive saves against Brock.

To find out more information about the event, or to find out how to get involved, visit the Winter Adapted Games website.

Head Coach Mark Holmberg told The Journal earlier this season his main priority every season is to “work on and cultivate a championship culture.”

With less than a handful of games left before the OUA playoffs later this month, Holmberg and the Gaels are fighting for a spot at the McCaw Cup in mid-March.

In addition to playing hard on the ice, the Women’s Hockey team has been participating in charity games to support different organizations in the Kingston area. In light of Bell Lets Talk day and Queen’s Mental Health Promotion Week, the team partnered with The Maddie Project for their Friday game against Windsor.

The Gaels are looking to bounce back in back-to-back games against the York Lions this upcoming weekend.