The Lakeland College Rustlers women’s hockey team dominated the Medicine Hat College Rattlers in back-to-back games this weekend, outscoring their opponents 14-1 over two games.
The team also celebrated its first-ever graduate ahead of the Feb. 21 game.
Mackenzie Stafford has played hockey for Lakeland for seven years. She is just one of a handful of original team members left with the Rustlers.
“She’s disciplined and committed, always. Always first to the rink for a 7 a.m. practice,” said head coach Morgan Mann.
Her commitment to the team as well as her schoolwork didn’t go unnoticed.
“Mac is going to be an incredible nurse,” said Mann. I know this firsthand from inside hospital sources, she has demonstrated the skills to be a first-class nurse.”
Stafford was gifted a framed jersey with a photo inside as recognition for her dedication to the team.
Then, it was time to drop the puck.
Rustler’s dominate Friday
Lakeland shut out Medicine Hat 8-0 on Feb. 21, leaving no doubt who the better team on the ice was.
The Rustlers jumped out early, scoring four goals in the first period. Addison Eurich opened the scoring just two minutes into the game. Claudia Lammers, Keyra Buziak and Stafford each added goals before the first intermission.
The second period saw more of the same. Lakeland scored four more times, including a powerplay goal from Alyssa Shaw. Belle Smith assisted on four goals. Goaltender Janae Neufeld stopped all 18 shots she faced, earning the shutout.
Rustlers repeat performance on Saturday
The next night (Feb. 22), Lakeland put on another winning effort. The Rustlers defeated the Rattlers 6-1. Medicine Hat opened the scoring on a powerplay goal by Kiyra Kletzel, but Lakeland responded quickly. Ella Wingert, Hailey Carothers, and Brooklyn Salewski each found the net.
Lakeland continued to dominate in the second period. Ellie Baril and Salewski extended the lead. The third period saw one final goal from Janay Williams. Lakeland goalie Mackenzie Gould-Sharpe made five saves in the win.
Penalties were a major factor over the weekend. Medicine Hat had 24 penalty minutes on Friday and 29 minutes on Saturday. Lakeland’s power play capitalized once but controlled the play throughout.
With the sweep, the Rustlers are set to start playoffs next weekend. Game One of a best-of-three series is at the Russ Robertson Arena on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
Read more: Carothers leads Rustlers to weekend sweep
