Rustlers host Home Opener vs RDP Queens

The Lakeland College Apex Automation Rustlers hosted the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens in their ACAC home opener on Friday October 13th in front of a packed crowd at the Russ Robertson Arena. The Rustlers trailed heading into the third period, but continued to pour on the pressure and skate to a 4-2 victory to move their record to 2-1.

The Rustlers battled penalty trouble early as Asha Petrie, Hailey Carothers and Kylie Perry took three consecutive minor penalties. The Queens would cash in on opportunity three as Tasha Bareby would score ten seconds into the advantage with 6:50 left in period 1. Assists would go to Jailyn Bablitz and Avery Lajeunesse. The Queens would have their own penalty trouble, drawing two consecutive minors but the Rustlers were unable to cash in during the man advantage. Lakeland would control the shot clock, outshooting the Queens 15-6 in the opening frame. 

The Rustlers and Queens would go back and forth in the second period. Red Deer would take two straight minor penalties and the Rustlers would make them pay. Hailey Carothers scored on the power play with assists going to Olivia Mann and Darby Robertson. This goal was scored with 13:49 left in period 2. The Queens would take the lead later in the second period as Molly Flynn was sent in on a breakaway and would bury the puck past Rustlers goalie Mackenzie Dojahn. Assist went to Sarah Raymond and the Queens would maintain that lead for the rest of the period. Lakeland continued its dominance on the shot clock, holding a 13-5 advantage in the period. A number of point blank saves by Queens goalie Izzy Palumbo stymied the Rustlers attack. 

The Rustlers would come out aggressive in the third period, looking for the win in front of their hometown fans. The Queens would take two penalties early in the third period and the Rustlers gained some momentum, eventually tying the game. Keyra Buziak would score at the 3:41 mark of the third period with Olivia Mann and Kylie Perry drawing assists. Buziak would score her second of the period twenty-seven seconds later. The Rustlers would take their first lead of the night at this point, going up 3-2. Forward Janay Williams would draw a two minute minor for tripping with 0:23 left in the third to give the Queens one last chance. Hailey Carothers would notch her second of the game, a short handed marker at the 19:59 mark of period three to end the game. Final shots on goal were in favor of the Rustlers 36-18. Players of the game were Izzy Palumbo for the Queens and Keyra Buziak for the Rustlers.

The two teams will finish off their home and home series on Saturday October 14th in Red Deer. Puck drop will be 7:00 pm.