EDEN PRAIRIE, MN — The Bantam AA Queens kicked off their first day of the 12th annual Prelude to the Playoffs tournament with a win on Friday against the Sartell Sauk Rapids.
Thunder Bay drew first blood on a goal by Gaby Andreacchi. Sartell responded with two quick goals, one on the powerplay, to take the lead but the Queens would get a powerplay of their own leading to Reese Coffey tying the game on a play setup by Alexis Paddington and Desiree Kamande.
The 2-2 tie held for most of the second period until Emma Johnston broke the tie with just 1:45 left. 3-2 after two. The third period was yet another tight period in which the Queens turned to goaltender Mykaila George to maintain the lead.
Finally, some relief would come in the form of a late goal on the efforts of Kendra Fortin and Alexis Paddington with Paddington burying the insurance marker.
As it would turn out, the insurance was needed as the Rapids pulled their goalie and scored with 27 seconds left.
With the 4-3 win, the Queens continue their push to hopefully go 3-0 and make it into the final four (of twelve teams) on Championship Sunday.
