Women’s Hockey to Compete in AJFHL Final
Over the last 2 weekends, the Lakeland Kings Energy Group Rustlers competed in a best of three series against the Edmonton Wolves to see who would earn the right to compete against the top team in the south for the AJFHL league championship.
Sunday, February 28th the Rustlers hosted the Edmonton Wolves in the first game of the best of 3 in the Russ Robertson arena. The Rustlers carried the play in the majority of the first period but could only get one goal by the Wolves goaltender, off the stick of captain Jayde Cadieux. The second period was similar and the two teams each scored one goal which sent the Rustlers in the dressing room after two periods with a 2 - 1 lead. In the third period, the Rustlers scored a quick goal to increase their lead 3 – 1 before Jayde Cadieux put to more past the Edmonton goalie to secure the team win and the hat trick for her. Chantel Weller made 13 saves in the victory.
Friday, March 4th the women made the trip to Edmonton for game two. A win would mean a trip to the AJFHL final and a loss would mean a game three back home on Sunday. The Rustlers came out hard and fast outshooting the Wolves 12 – 2 in the first period and leading after one by a score of 2 – 0. In the second period, the Wolves put more pressure on the Rustlers but they kept to their game plan and were able to add one more goal while holding Edmonton off the scoreboard. In the third period, the Wolves continued to apply pressure and pulled their goalie with four minutes left in the game. Reece Pittman picked up the Rustlers' fourth goal to add to the Rustlers' total and secure the victory and series win. Chantel Weller made 26 saves for the shutout.
The Rustlers will now compete against the Lethbridge Eagles, the top team in the south in a best of 5 final. The 2021 – 2022 season has been a great one for the Rustlers and they are hoping to finish it off with a league championship win.