Rustlers get back into win column with victory over Rattlers

The Lakeland College Apex Automation Rustlers and Medicine Hat College Rattlers tangled in game one of a doubleheader weekend in Lloydminster on Friday, November 17th. The Rustlers were looking to get back in the win column after getting swept by the NAIT Ooks last weekend, ending their seven-game winning streak. Lakeland would defeat Medicine Hat College by a score of 8-0.

The first period started slow for both teams but Lakeland definitely gained momentum on the Rattlers as the period progressed. The Rustlers would open the scoring on a point shot from Austyn Eaton. Her goal was scored at 15:04 of the first period. Assists would go to Paris Appel and Kylie Perry.. Just over ten minutes later, the Rustlers would capitalize on a goalmouth scramble. Claudia Lammers was in the right place at the right time, scoring after Rattlers goalie Hayley Whelen made two incredible saves in her crease. Drawing the lone assist on the play was Asha Petrie. The Rattlers would take a minor penalty at the 13:15 mark with Claira Bansley drawing a body contact minor penalty, which the Rattlers would kill off successfully. Shots on goal for the period were 19-3 in favour of the Rustlers. 

The second period saw the Rustlers come out aggressively on the forecheck and control the pace of play in the offensive zone. The Rustlers would score 0:41 into period two as Keyra Buziak would score unassisted on a top corner laser over Hayley Whelen's glove hand. At the 1:27 mark of period two, Kylie Perry would notch her second point of the game, scoring on a nice feed from Janay Williams to increase the Rustlers lead to 4-0. Kaylee Hill would score on a quick release from the faceoff dot that would elude Whelen to wrap up the scoring in the period. The Rustlers would lead 5-0 after two periods and hold a shot advantage of 11-4 for the second period. 

The third period was a quick start again for the Rustlers, scoring two goals in the first two minutes. At 1:08 of the third period, Paris Appel would score for Lakeland, with assists going to Ella Wingert and Madelyn Mann. Appel scored on a power play advantage for the Rustlers. At 1:22, Kylie Perry would get her second of the game with assists going to Janay Williams and Paris Appel. The Rustlers would round out the scoring with Belle Smith scoring the game's final goal with 2:25 left in the third period. Assists would go to Kaylee Hill and Darby Robertson. Shots on goal were 42-14 overall for the Rustlers. Shaye Thompson would post the shutout for the Rustlers with Hayley Whelen taking the loss for the Rattlers.

Players of the game for each team were Kaylee Hill for Lakeland and Maddison King for Medicine Hat. Both teams will take a quick turnaround and be back in action for game two of the weekend tomorrow afternoon. The puck drop will be at 2:00 pm.