RDP Queens down NAIT Ooks in game one of semi-finals

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens used a 30-save performance from goaltender Izzy Palumbo to win game one of the best-of-three semi-final against the NAIT Ooks.

The RDP Queens' power play got them on the board at 15:48 of the second period. Queens captain Avery Lajeunesse was stationed at the hash marks on the left side and connected with Julie Wagner in front of the Ooks net. Wagner, who is a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences student, wasted no time and beat Ooks fifth-year goaltender Kaitlyn Slator low on the left side.

Three minutes later, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens went up by a pair of goals. After an offensive face-off win, Queens' first-year forward Hayley Kolosky corralled the puck and beat Slator high on the glove side.

Before the end of the frame, the visitors reduced the deficit to one goal. From the top of the circle, NAIT's Jessica Engelbrecht snapped one over the glove of RDP netminder Izzy Palumbo.

At 5:26 of the third period, Engelbrecht, who was selected as the Ooks Player of the Game, scored on the power play to even the contest 2-2. NAIT's third-year forward found space on the right side of the Queens' net.

Only 31 seconds later, the Polytechnic regained its lead. Queens' forward Camryn Ward went wide and put the puck on the net. After Slator made the initial save, Chloe Belter deposited the puck into the empty cage. The RDP Queens solidified a 3-2 home win. 

North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game Palumbo made 30 saves (0.938). Slator turned aside 18 shots (0.860).

Both teams went one-for-five on the power play.

The NAIT Ooks will host the RDP Queens in game two of the best-of-three semi-final on Saturday, March 2 at 6 pm.

If necessary, the third and final game of the series will be played at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on Sunday, March 3 at 7 pm.