ROCKVILLE, Md. – The Thunder Bay Queens Sportop midget AA Queens are off to the semifinals of 10th annual JWHL Challenge Cup in suburban Washington, D.C., after coming away victorious in a pair of contests Sunday.
Thunder Bay wrapped up round robin play with a 2-0 triumph over the Washington Pride then proceeded to blank the North American Hockey Academy Red of Stowe, Vermont 3-0 in quarter-final action Sunday evening.
In the win against Washington Aden Johnson stopped all 15 shots she faced to post the shutout.
After a scoreless first period, the Queens got the eventual game-winner from Brenna Bohonos late in the second stanza on an assist from Lucy Newman.
Mary Flaherty then set-up Amanda Pages for an insurance marker, with 6:45 remaining in regulation, to round out the scoring.
In the quarter-final match-up vs. NAHA Red, it was Josée Robinson’s turn to register the shutout as she handled all 18 attempts fired her way to help send the squad to the semifinals.
This game saw no goals scored through two periods of play, but the Queens struck for three tallies in the final session to secure the decision.
Molly Kunnas had the winner early in the third while Flaherty made it 2-0 at 6:17 before Vanessa Nicholl iced it with a late empty netter to finish things off.
Thunder Bay will now meet either the Boston Shamrocks or Detroit Belle Tire in the semifinal Monday at 8:15 a.m.
The championship game is slated for noon back in Rockville, Maryland.
