Neufeld outduels Palumbo in a goalie battle, leading Lakeland to a Rustlers win over the Queens

The Lakeland College Apex Automation Rustlers and Red Deer Polytechnic Queens returned to Lloydminster for game 2 of their doubleheader weekend with a puck drop on Saturday, January 13th at the Russ Robertson Arena. The Rustlers, looking to avenge a 3-2 shootout loss from Friday night, skated to a 1-0 victory over the Queens.

Period one was a very slow period with much of the play in the neutral zone. Neither Izzy Palumbo for the Queens nor Janae Neufeld for the Rustlers faced much action and offensive zone time for both teams was limited. The Rustlers were able to kill off three-man advantages for the Queens, while the Queens were able to kill off two power play opportunities for the Rustlers. Shots on goal were 5-4 for Red Deer.

Period two was a little more open as both teams generated opportunities but Palumbo and Neufeld were able to stop the chances of both squads. Both teams again took many penalties but the penalty kill units for both teams were able to kill off the power plays. Shots on goal were 10-8 for Red Deer for period two.

The third period saw fewer penalties from both teams while the Rustlers were able to finally take advantage of one of their power plays. Hailey Carothers took a pass from Brooklyn Salewski and fired a shot from the top of the circle to give the Rustlers a lead with 11 minutes left in period three. The Queens would push for the tying goal, just like on Friday night, but the Rustlers were able to protect the lead and skate to a 1-0 win. The Rustlers and Queens would each have eight shots on goal, giving the Queens a 23-20 advantage overall. Players of the game were the two goaltenders, Izzy Palumbo for the Queens and Janae Neufeld for the Rustlers.