Queens begin ACAC title defence with win in Olds

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens asserted themselves midway through the second, completely changing the momentum with quick offence as they started out their ACAC title defence on a positive note, defeating the Olds College Broncos 3-0 in the season opener for both teams at the Town of Olds Sportsplex on Friday.

Kaedence Mollin paced the Queens (1-0-0) with a goal and an assist, while Jenna Sellen and Tasha Barsby also scored for Red Deer Polytechnic. Tora Ward made 24 saves for the season-opening shutout, while Alesha Santos earned player of the game honours after picking up an assist.

For the Broncos (0-1-0), Cienna Kinghorn made 17 saves, while Jenay Hyndman was named Olds College's player of the game in her ACAC debut.

The Broncos had the majority of the opportunities early on as they got chances in tight, but Ward was up to the task to keep the game scoreless in a first period that saw the Broncos outshoot the Queens 12-4.

However, penalty trouble would come back to bite the Broncos just over eight minutes into the second period as Mollin went end-to-end on a powerplay rush before dishing off to Sellen, whose wristshot went over Kinghorn's shoulder and under the crossbar to put the Queens up 1-0.

It wasn't long before Red Deer Polytechnic doubled its late, as Barsby was sprung on a breakaway after Avery Lajeunesse found her while she was down on the ice; Barsby beat Kinghorn off the post on the blocker side to give the Queens a 2-0 lead they took to the second intermission.

The Queens' quick-strike offence continued early in the third, as a seeing-eye slapshot from Mollin 13 seconds into the period provided all the insurance Red Deer Polytechnic needed.

Red Deer Polytechnic will welcome the Lakeland College Rustlers to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre tomorrow at 7 p.m., while the Broncos will host the same Rustlers side on Sunday at 2 p.m.; both games will be available on ACACTV.ca, as well as on TELUS OptikTV, channel 1998.