NAIT downs RDP in semi-finals

Red Deer, AB – The NAIT Ooks have advanced to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Hockey final.

The Ooks received 25 saves from goaltender Kaitlyn Slator and picked up a 2-0 decision over the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens, winning the best-of-three semi-final two games to one. 

After a defensive opening frame, the NAIT Ooks capitalized on the power play at 4:13 of the second period to jump ahead 1-0. An initial shot rang of the left post, but NAIT's Kamryn Aebly charged the net and found room behind Queens goaltender Izzy Palumbo (Bachelor of Commerce).

With six minutes remaining in the middle frame, the visitors went up 2-0. Ooks fifth-year forward Bre Martin (Bachelor of Technology) made several moves in the Queens' zone and beat Palumbo on the blocker side.

Neither team could capitalize in the third period and the NAIT Ooks solidified a 2-0 decision.

The RDP Queens went one-for-six on the power play. NAIT connected once on eight opportunities with the extra skater.

Red Deer's Avery Lajeunesse was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game.

Slator received the Player of the Game honour for the Ooks.

The NAIT Ooks will play the Lakeland College Rustlers for ACAC gold. The Rustlers defeated the SAIT Trojans two games to one in the other semi-final.