Mireille Kingsley stands firm in net in sister Mélisa Kingsley’s memorial game
Saturday, forwards Arianne Gagnon and Alyssa Biesenthal scored goals to lead the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees to claim victory on home ice against the Windsor Lancers 2-1, improving from their recent loss against Guelph the week before.
The Mélisa Kingsley memorial game happens each year, in dedication of the former Gee-Gee, also current netminder Mireille’s older sister. Mélisa unfortunately got diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare type of cancer, which cut her university and her hockey career short. In October 2018, Mélisa passed away, yet left a legacy of generosity and love for the game.
The memorial game started with a penalty against the garnet and grey in response to a Ella Humphrey hook, followed by another penalty on Naomi Morin for holding.
The Gee-Gees were placed at a disadvantage, which the Lancers did not capitalize on, not for lack of effort but due to Kingsley’s impressive saves across the period.
The second period initiated the battle for points on the scoreboard, with Windsor gaining traction and scoring the game’s first goal out of thin air, having the rush opportunity, the Lancers took advantage of the Gee-Gees’ missed reaction.
During the remainder of the period, Ottawa sharpened their skills and, with high intent, put pressure on the blue and gold team, creating opportunities to score, yet no goal for the Gee-Gees was obtained.
Their period started, and both teams were seen having opportunities down the side to score, yet no goal arrived till nearly the end. With three penalties being given throughout the period and multiple power plays, the tension was raised as time decreased to the end.
However, a penalty on Lancers’ forward Maggi DeWolf-Russ gave the Gee-Gees the play to gain a point. With nine seconds left on the power play and one minute on the clock, assisted by defender Maëlle Laplante, Gagnon found the back of the net, scoring her ninth goal of the season for Ottawa, tying the Lancers on the scoreboard and deflecting any opportunity Windsor had to win the game this quarter.
Overtime, it began: seven minutes, three-on-three, with Ottawa’s trio being Gagnon, Béatrice Bilodeau and Laplante, who started strong with a great attempt at goal, saved by the Lancers goalie Cadence Petitclerc.
Three minutes left in overtime, and Alyssa Biesenthal came on as the garnet and grey chose an all-offensive team. The match’s final play begins with the Gee-Gees going three flat across against two offence and one defence from Windsor; Bisenthal cut into the net, finding the end of it with the puck, scoring the last and final goal of the match.
The Gee-Gees play against Carleton at the Minto Sports Complex on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m., which will serve as a preview for the yearly rivalry tradition of the Colonel By Classics at TD Place on Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. Make sure to buy your tickets and see the Gee-Gees on ice against the Ravens.
