2008 OUA WOMEN'S HOCKEY SEMIFINAL PLAYOFF PREVIEW

HAMILTON, Ont. - A quick look at the 2008 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women's hockey semifinal playoff match-ups.

Laurier vs Queen's - #1 vs #4
After a 2-0 shutout of the York Lions in OUA quarter-final action, the Queen's Golden Gaels (12-9-6-0) are set to face the No.3 Laurier Golden Hawks (23-2-2-0) in the semifinals. Laurier will have their work cut out for them, despite taking the three game regular season two games to one, the Gaels are only one of two teams to beat them in the regular season, that win coming January 25, 2-0. The Gaels will rely on their defense and hope the momentum of goaltender Melissa John (Unionville, ON) can continue against Laurier this season. John faced 30 shots against the Lions in the quarter-finals, earning her third shutout of the season. Queen's will also look to Elizabeth Kench (Gananoque, ON) to lead her team offensively as she scored the game winning goal against York last weekend. Laurier will counter with team scoring leader Lauren Barch (Burlington, ON) who finished the regular season second in OUA scoring with 15 goals and 17 assists. Laurier will also look to the consistent play of 2006-07 Player of the Year, Andrea Bevan (Collingwood, ON), to set up the offense and add to her 20 regular season assists. Netminder Liz Knox (Stouffville, ON) will be hard for Queen's to beat as she finished the season first in the OUA allowing on average less than a goal per game (0.98), earning seven shutouts and ending the regular season with a save percentage of .944.

Semifinal Playoff Series Game Times
Game 1 - February 22 - 7:30 pm @ Queen's
Game 2 - February 23 - 8:30 pm @ Laurier
Game 3 - February 24 - 7:30 pm @ Laurier (If Necessary

Toronto vs Guelph - #2 vs #3
The Guelph Gryphons will travel to Toronto tonight (Feb. 21) for game one of a three-game OUA semifinal series against the No.6 Varsity Blues. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Guelph went 1-2 against the Varsity Blue this season, with Guelph's lone win coming in overtime in October. The Varsity Blue are a dangerous offensive squad led by the potent offensive power of Janine Davies (22 goals, 14 assists, Peterborough, ON), Emily Militio (9 goals, 19 assists, Ottawa, ON), Anne Del Guidice (11 goals, 15 assists, Hamilton, ON) and Laura Foster (14 goals, 12 assists, Burlington, ON). Guelph's defense will have to be at it's best to limit their relentless attack. Davies led the OUA in scoring and the Varsity Blue boasts four of the top 6 OUA scorers. . Fifth-year netminder Stephanie Lockart (Thunder Bay, Ont) finished the season second in the OUA with a goal's against average of 1.38, with six shutouts and a 0.938 save percentage. Guelph coming off of a 3-1 victory over the surging Windsor Lancers in the quarter-finals will continue to look to rookie Jennifer Rivers (York, ON) who finished the regular season seventh in the OUA in scoring with 17 goals and eight assists.

Semifinal Playoff Series Game Times
Game 1 - February 21 - 7:30 pm @ Toronto
Game 2 - February 23 - 7:30 pm @ Guelph
Game 3 - February 24 - 7:30 pm @ Toronto (If Necessary)

Official Sponsors of OUA Women's Hockey Playoffs: Harrow Sports Canada Ltd., Pioneer Petroleums, and Pizza Pizza

- OUA -

Michelle Church
Communications & Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics

Tel: (905) 540-5156
Fax: (905) 574-2840
E-mail: michelle.church@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca