The Varsity Blues women’s hockey team was defeated 4-2 by the Queen’s Gaels on Saturday, November 5 at Kingston Memorial Centre.

Rookie forward Courtney Tougas of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Amanda Ricker (Kanata, Ont.) accounted for the Blues two goals on the night. Ricker’s tally is her third goal in the past three games.

The Gaels opened the scoring 1:21 into the first period on a goal from Brittany McHaffie. Tougas would tie the game in the later stages of the period with Callie Bazak (Peterborough, Ont.) drawing the only assist, but the Gaels responded just over a minute later to take a 2-1 lead.

With Queen’s leading 3-1 in the third, Ricker would score on the powerplay at 13:01 to get the Blues back within one. But the Gaels had an answer yet again, as McHaffie converted on the man advantage for her second goal of the contest. The Gaels would shut the door the rest of the way en route to the 4-2 victory.

Blues goaltender Nicole Kesteris (Aurora, Ont.) made 27 saves in the loss, including 13 in the first period.

The Gaels now sit atop the OUA with a 7-2-0 record.

The Blues will face the Gaels again when they return home to Varsity Arena for their next game, next Saturday, November 12. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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