Broncos use late goal to ground Griffins

Olds College Sports Information
November 1, 2018

OLDS, Alta. - Bailee Werstroh's goal late in the third period stood as the game winner, as the Olds College Broncos defeated the MacEwan University Griffins 2-1 at the Town of Olds Sports Complex on Thursday.

Sustained offensive pressure from Olds College (3-3-1) led to the opportunity, as Mairyn Tucker dove to keep the puck in the Griffins zone. Werstroh grabbed the puck from behind the net, and her wraparound attempt went off Jaime Erickson's skate and past Sandy Heim with 3:48 to play.

Tori Chenier also scored for the Broncos, while Lexi Bruce turned in another strong performance in goal, making 34 saves to pick up Olds College's third straight victory on home ice.

Chantal Ricker replied for the Griffins (7-2-0), while Heim made 12 saves in defeat.

Olds College's penalty kill was exceptional in the victory, denying the Griffins on all eight of their powerplay opportunities.

The Broncos opened the scoring midway through the opening frame, as a Chenier wrist shot from the point beat Heim cleanly over the shoulder to give Olds College a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, thanks in large part to 16 saves from Bruce, many of which came from in tight.

Fiona Milligan came close to making it a two-goal lead for the Broncos midway through the second period, getting in alone on Heim before hitting the crossbar with her shot. The Griffins would find the equalizer shortly thereafter, finally solving Bruce as Jayme Doyle swung a pass out front to Ricker, who made no mistake to make it 1-1 going into the third.

The ice opened up a bit on both sides in the third, with both sides applying solid pressure to eventually set the stage for Werstroh's heroics.

The Broncos and Griffins won't wait long to renew acquaintances, as the teams will play in Edmonton on Friday at 7 p.m.

Players of the Game
GMU - Karley Jewell
OC - Tori Chenier