The Jr. Rustlers skated to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Calgary Glaciers in a game that grew increasingly tense and physical as the clock wound down. The Rustlers set the tone early, with Ava Rawlake finding the back of the net just under eight minutes into the first period, assisted by Bentley Baier. They doubled their lead in the second period when Payton Boulianne scored, with helpers from Baier and Hayze Bensmiller. Despite being outshot 27-26 through two periods, the Rustlers' opportunistic offense and a strong defensive effort had them in control heading into the final frame.
The third period erupted with action. The Glaciers, refusing to go quietly, mounted a fierce comeback. Greta Baldwin got Calgary on the board midway through the period, converting a setup from Lilly Redmond and Lily Bennett. Just over four minutes later, Maci Dueck scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at 2-2, sending a jolt of energy through the home crowd. The game's physicality, however, reached a boiling point. The final period saw a staggering seven minor penalties called, with both teams taking turns in the box. This parade to the penalty box culminated in the game's decisive moment. With just over three minutes remaining and on the power play, the Rustlers' Bentley Baier delivered the final blow, scoring the game-winning goal off a feed from Tana Brander to seal the 3-2 victory.
While the Rustlers' goalie stats were not tracked, the Glaciers' Morgan Sloane was a workhorse in net, facing a barrage of 41 shots and making 37 saves to keep her team in contention. The Rustlers' defense, however, proved impenetrable when it mattered most, shutting down Calgary's late push. Bentley Baier was the offensive catalyst for the visitors, finishing with a goal and two assists, including the crucial power-play winner. The game was a testament to resilience, with the Rustlers weathering a furious Calgary rally and capitalizing on a late power play to escape with two points.
