Women’s Hockey Golden again
Sunday night at the Cenovus Energy Hub, Lakeland's women's hockey team, their staff, parents and the more-than 600 fans in attendance couldn't have asked for a better evening and a better ending to the season.
The Rustlers completed their ACAC Finals comeback in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, winning Game 5 on a tip-in just minutes into the second overtime period, breaking a 0-0 tie. The players and coaches are still processing the wave of emotions days later.
"I felt nervous that we could lose, but I'm so relieved that we won," third year defenseman Oliva Mann said. "I wouldn't have wanted to be getting silver."
"It's a really rewarding feeling to comeback and get that win, especially in your hometown," fourth year forward Asha Petrie said.
"To win it, like we did, just felt very justified," Head coach Morgan Mann said. "We just about doubled them in shots and felt like we were the better team, but that doesn't always mean you win."
"It's relief, excitement, pride and just genuine happiness for our players. It's a special group."
Backs Against the Wall
The Rustlers found themselves in the situation after dropping the first two games of the series in a pair of 2-1 overtime shockers from their opponent, the Red Deer Poyltechnic Queens, a team pressing for the upset after losing in the Finals last year and having lost all five regular season matchups to Lakeland. In order to repeat as champions, Coach Mann's squad needed three straight victories, starting with Game 3 on Friday.
"This is a group with some experience, resilience and toughness," he said.
In Game 3, the ACAC recognized this season's All-Conference selections. Second-year forward Addison Eurich was named 2ndTeam, while Keyra Buziak made 1st Team, along with Olivia Mann on defence. Buziak was awarded Top Scorer and Player of the Year, thanks to a record-setting performance of 28 goals and 43 points, a pace that continued in the post season.
In Friday night's contest, the Rustlers played solid two-way hockey, with Eurich opening the scoring in the first. Buziak added a pair of power play tallies to cement a 3-1 victory, with Schay Camphaug making 23 saves.
During Saturday night's Game 4 in Red Deer, the Rustlers were even more dominant. Buziak scored just two minutes into then opening frame and after RDP tied things on the power play, she responded with another goal when Lakeland had a man advantage near the 15-minute mark. Eurich had another solid showing with a goal and two assists, while Ava Cole and Alysssa Shaw each had a goal and an assist. Camphaug made another 23 saves in the win.
Having another solid game on the blueline, Mann and her teammates noted the fans helped sway the energy in that game.
"There were apparently comments in the stands for our scratches to quiet down a bit, so I think that really got them a bit," she said. "They're not used to our Lakeland fans atmosphere."
The Highest Stakes
Game 5 felt like a reset, as both team's felt the difference during the warmup. By the time the game started, every seat in the building was filled and staff had to open side doors to allow fans to stand around the glass on both ends, where numerous posters were taped to the glass.
"Normally, we don't see anyone in the stands before the game," Olivia Mann said. "Instead, it was basically full more than half an hour in and we were like 'man, these passes need to be on point and nobody trip!'"
The action was closer to the first two games, with the Queens goaltender Tora Ward playing spectacularly between the pipes. Despite a heavy advantage in shots, including a 12-4 difference in the second, Lakeland was unable to grab the lead and the teams went to overtime.
In the extra frame, the Rustlers held possession for most of the 20 minutes, with a couple of RDP chances stymied by Camphaug. Several players for the Rustlers came close, including a dazzling end-to-end rush from Kylie Perry that was ultimately stopped and smothered by Ward. All the action was punctuated by a boisterous home crowd, making good use the dozens of drums in the house, of varying sizes.
"Last year we knew we won by the third period, where as this year we were tense because of the score, but we were still having fun because it was such a great atmosphere," Mann said.
RDP's strategy against Buziak slowed her down in the opposing end, but the depth of the roster rose to the occasion.
"They checked Keyra really hard, making it tough to find her offensive success, but it's a team sport," coach Mann said. "It was necessary and an opportunity for others to step up."
"Brooklyn Salewski was incredible, she's been an unsung hero on our team. Alyssa Shaw was everywhere, skated 10 more miles over the course of the night."
Heading into the second OT, the tension was palpable for those in the arena. All of the die-hard fans were there, along with more family, students, sponsors and other supporters. Also in attendance was most of the other student-athletes from Rustlers Athletics, including the women's volleyball team, fresh off the plane-ride from winning another national title.
Playing critical minutes in the period on defence, Mann noted the demeanor of the group in the locker-room was key.
"We had just lost to them twice in overtime a week ago, so we stayed focused," she said. "We have pretty good depth and it showed."
"If our energy had been down, that wouldn't have been good, but everyone kept hyping each other up," Petrie added.
A Memory to Last a Lifetime
A few minutes into the second OT, RDP showered Camphaug with ice after she held the puck, prompting an unsportsmanlike penalty. On the advantage, Lakeland moved the puck around, with Olivia Mann and Shaw working together for a shot that graduating forward Claudia Lammers tipped in.
"That puck went in so slowly!" Petrie said exasperatedly, "But once it did cross, everything sped up!"
In the pandemonium afterwards, sticks and gloves were all over the ice. Parents of the players eventually made their way down to ice level to capture the moment, as Buziak was named Finals MVP and the captains hoisted the trophy for the second straight year.
"If you're involved in sports and you're lucky, then you'll get to experience a night like that," coach Mann said. "A packed building, at home, with those stakes, you can play a lot of sports and never have that type of experience. Even losing a game like that would be memorable, but to win it makes this even more special."
"That was a game all the players and coaches will never forget. We're just thrilled that we got that type of support from the community."
Both the players and coaching staff credited Lammers for her two-way play in the Finals and were happy to see her score the golden goal.
"She led the team in scoring in her first year and was second behind Hailey [Carothers] last year," Mann said. "This season she didn't find the back of the net as much, but scoring the winner was very fitting, along with her mum won the thousand-dollar 50/50."
In addition to the relief of having the team's hard work rewarded, coach Mann said he's grateful for what the moment will provide his players and staff years into the future.
"I know how it works, you can have a great season and finish well, but the reality is that the teams that win are the ones that tend to have reunions," he said. "Those moments help cement relationships and a bond that will last forever, so these girls will have opportunities to get together and celebrate."
Right now, the players are focused on enjoying their accomplishment and working hard academically, but there's already optimism for carrying the momentum into next season. Lammers, Cole, Julia Giacobbo and Paris Appel are all departing, but a strong contingent of veterans remain.
"It's hard not to think about the players moving on, but there are going to be others who step and new additions that bring something to the team," Petrie said.
"The leadership group of myself, Kylie Perry and Asha are all back, Keyra and some other key scorers are coming back," Olivia Mann added. "Some changes on D, but I feel like we'll have a good chance if we keep rolling the way we have the last few years."